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Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) for long-term depression
Does anyone have any experience with TMS therapy for long term depression? I have fought the demons of depression for years. Some days are better than others, but finding the emotional energy to do anything other than go to work and do the job is next to impossible most of the time now. I have been on several different medications over the years. I can't say that any particular one made a notable difference at all. I am continually frustrated with a lack of energy and a lack of desire to do the things that I once enjoyed, and that I had looked forward to at this stage of life. Every day, I pretty much feel like "this is it" -- as good as it is ever going to get -- and the opportunity of any meaningful contribution of life is over -- done -- finished. Retirement is something that I longed for over the years. As it draws nearer, I fear it because I see myself just fading away and soon gone. So, I ask about TMS therapy. It is very expensive, requires a huge time committement, and is not covered by medical insurance. I have spoken with doctors (psychiatrists) at a couple of top hospitals in the nation and have not gotten stellar reports from them. The consensus was that it works for some but not for others and the success rates are fair at best overall. Having said that, my doc says they have seen amazing results from the therapy and people complete it and the negative thoughts are pretty much gone. He says their success rate is extremely high. I have not done it because: a) too much time away from work; b) too costly and not covered by medical insurance; c) the reports from two docs from world known excellent institutions which were not glowing. I have searched for answers for years, with none. Now, I have developed chronic pain in the lumbar area, legs, neck, shoulders, arms, etc. I am working on the back with a major pain managment group with some injections which I hope will help.
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@blessedintx - they aren't all mental health drugs, but they are all chemicals. Boo.
I have a lot of body problems - heart failure (Mom and Little Bro died of it in the last two years), RLS, gastroparesis, blah blah blah. I hate all the meds, but they determine survival (RLS makes one want to quit life after awhile...). So I shove down my horror at all the pills and swallow them... 7 times a day because their timing is so complicated. Blech.
I'm going to try energy healing. I'm also looking for a dietician who is good with both heart healthy and gastroparesis diets, because I can't figure it out - the diets are exactly opposite from each other!
Hello,
I'm sorry for what you are going. I have Severe Treatment Resistant Major Depression. I've been on all but one of meds you mentioned. I have tried ECT, TMS, Spravato and Ketamine infusion. The only one of those that helped was ketamine infusion. It was a game changer!! I didn't realize how depressed I really was until I was on the other side. The effect of the first infusion lasted close to two weeks. It was amazing! I was hopeful, getting out of bed and getting things done..I had zero suicidal ideation. Unfortunately, the clinic stopped doing it by infusion and would only do it by injection. It just didn't have the same effect at all. I'm on SSDI for my depression and anxiety, so I only work part-time. I can't afford to pay out of pocket at another clinic that does the infusion. TMS didn't do a single thing for me, but for others it has helped. My PCP has suggested that because of weight, the medications aren't working. He said that the drugs are tested on people who are average weight and I'm morbidly obese. I'm working towards bariactric surgery this summer, so I'm hoping that he is right. I know I'll definitely feel better losing weight but I don't know if it will be the "cure". Only time will tell. What he says makes sense, though, that my weight impacts the medication working properly. I hope you will try ketamine infusion, I know that everyone is different and responds differently, but it certainly was amazing for me.
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3 ReactionsI was told by TMS treatment team that depression is left prefrontal cortex and anxiety is on right. Hard to believe. Does anyone else know specifics?
Hello and thanks for your response! Since I posted, I have had to leave my job due to all of this. Never thought i would see the day that i couldn't make myself work though!! Not a good feeling.
I did drop (as approved by my Psychiatrist (PA) the Lexapro and Trintellix and cut Trazadone down to 50mg. Anxiety escalated so they added Klonopin .5mg 1/2 to 1 pill per day as needed. I haven't used it much as it makes me extremely sleepy.
I did begin TMS last week. I did my 5th treatment today. Am doing 5x week for a total of 35 or 36 treatments. I am feeling "hopeful" today. But who knows what tomorrow will be like?
I definitely don't like the feeling of the treatment itself! But it was slightly less uncomfortable today, so maybe I'm building a tolerance?
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1 ReactionAlso, I got lucky and my Medicare and Supplement Insurance approved the treatment and cover 100%!
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1 ReactionWhat is TMS? I have never heard of it before. Thank you in advance.
Hope you can feel better soon! Pat
What is TMS and MDD. I haven't heard of these two terms before.
Thank you, Pat!
TMS is Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation, a treatment for Medication Resistant MDD (Major Depressive Disorder).
Hi- I just joined this group. You and I are in the same profession, and I have the same diagnosis. I’m struggling to keep a job in it, I just don’t seem to care anymore. I was first diagnosed with MDD at 21, have had years between episodes without need for meds. For the past 5-10 years I have been on so many different meds, I’m wondering if it’s due to age. I’ve held a full time job for many years at a time, for almost 30 years. Now I can barely hold one for 3 months, I panic the night before going to work. I wake up in the middle of the night, then can’t get up in the morning. I take lamictal and straterra( ADHD too). I’ve thought about tms or ketamine, and I never thought I’d get to this place, I managed most of my life on and off meds, but no heavy hitters. My Dr wanted to try Caplyta, but I declined to start with the anti psychotic class of meds to address depression. I’m just so tired of dealing with it.
TMS is transcranial magnetic stimulation. A series of impulses are transferred into your brain by taps on your skull. It is not uncomfortable for me and the benefits obviously are worth any inconvenience of daily clinic visits. The effect seems like a reset for me (I get them yearly) enhancing my emotional wellness progress. I feel as tho even my meds are more effective. Mine is available by psych referral and testing. It is paid for by Medicare.
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