Connect
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.
Like
Helpful
HugInterested in more discussions like this? Go to the Depression & Anxiety Support Group.
Connect
8 weeks, 5 days week, 20 minutes
Gradually
No side effects.
100 % covered by insurance
Requires no drinking - 2-3,weeks before starting and during the 8 week treatment
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
3 ReactionsThank you greatly!!
When did you first notice improvement ?
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionAfter first 2 weeks. They do recommend the full 8 weeks.
Stanford has an accelerated 10 consecutive day program but would need to travel there.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
4 Reactionsin reply to @brandysparks Thank you for the nice response. So far my near year is working out fairly well. I would like to share some very good news I received yesterday, simply because my zombie sister and my demented friend had no clue what I was so excited about.
I subscribe to the Immunodeficiency Foundation and a few months ago they sent me some information about a conference they are having in Chicago in June. For those who wanted to attend but did not have the funds to do so they could apply for a "scholarship" to help them with the cost of the trip. In my email yesterday I received a "congratulations" about being awarded a scholarship which will pay for the airfare and hotel accommodations for the conference. I did have to write about why I wanted to attend and why I needed financial assistance. In terms of the financial assistance I only told them that my former partner absconded with my retirement account and that I rely upon Social Security Disability as my sole source of income. I did not stretch the truth by any means, just gave them some basic facts. I was so astonished when I opened my email yesterday because I had totally forgotten about my application. Naturally my sister did not believe me and downplayed the whole thing, although she did say she could drive me to the airport if I choose to go. I have until March 30 to decide.
It's about time something good has happened to me, and just to be sure I will call the Foundation on Monday to make sure their message to me is "real" because I still cannot believe I got this scholarship! I also mentioned I wanted to attend so I could learn more about this aspect of my health problem and meet others with the same issues. I am very familiar with Chicago, and once thought about moving there after making several trips to visit a college friend. However, once I learned that all the women wore fur coats because of the cold, I knew I would never survive, even though I was offered a very good job. Why am I so "nervous" when in fact, I should be totally excited?
Also, I will soon be fostering a dog and hopefully be paired with another pitbull that I can adopt. I decided that since it has been nearly 2 years since my dog died, I was ready for a new companion, despite the fact that my neighbors tell me, "you are too sick to have a dog." What is wrong with people?
For what it is worth, now I am crying because very few of my "friends" or "family" seem to understand what is wrong with me and why this opportunity means so much to me. I am sorry.
Yesterday I went out shopping, nearly got hit by a car while in the crosswalk, arrived home and broke out in tears. I tried to chase down the idiot who ran the red light, but he saw me coming and sped off. I wanted to scream at him!
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionSo sorry to hear about the near-miss - it sometimes seems like every public outing is fraught with a feeling of a potential "near-miss"...just navigating parking lots, for example, with people wandering around seemingly clueless of walking behind cars with rear brake lights on, cars going the wrong way, etc etc.
As for your scholarship award to the conference - I think this is really exciting! I happen to love conferences (though NOT travel by plane these days), and you are very comfortable with the locale, and invested in this group and subject, so I say "You Go, Girl!", and let us know how it went when you return!
Seems like a very positive venture, with lots of long-term - and short-term - benefits!
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionAnyone else try Transcranial magnetic stimulation ?
After suffering with Clinical Depression and Anxiety for years with little to no success I tried Transcrainal Magnetic Stimulation. After 7 weeks of daily treatment I feel free from both depression and anxiety! Has anyone done this and how long does this effect last? Would love to hear from others.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
3 ReactionsThat’s amazing. I hope you get responses from others.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 Reaction