TMS treatment 14

This is Day 14 of TMS (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation). I haven’t posted about it because I’ve had a hard time. I’ve had a couple of medicine changes and a sinus infection on top of the brain stimulation. They had me at a very high threshold so the pulses would make me cry it hurt so much. At Day 11, they remapped and were able to lower the intensity of the pulses I feel. I watch “The Office” during treatments and today I was able to focus on the show and not the TMS. Soon I hope to be over the sinus infection and be able to tell if the treatment is making any difference in mood. I’d like to see a change in my motivation! I’ve taken this week off from everything except teaching and the treatments to try and feel better!

Depression

I've had depression for over 20 years. I've been on medication for 20 years and have seen a therapist for most of that time. I have recently become medicine resistant so I was given the opportunity to try TMS (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation). This treatment did nothing to help me. It caused my anxiety to become much more severe. When they tried right side stimulation in the TMS, I became very irritable. Now the TMS is over and I am anxious, depressed, irritable and having a hard time with life.

I have all the skills to do well. I know how to count my blessings and do this daily. I am in constant prayer. I believe in a God that is involved in our lives. I believe I will be well again.

Right now, it is 4 days until Thanksgiving. I have written the list of food to be prepared for our big meal. I have also started Christmas shopping. I am right on track but find no joy in the festivities that have brought me joy in the past.

Depression and TMS

I haven’t written much about my depression but thought it might be helpful to write some things out. I’ve had 7 sessions of TMS (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation. I’ve had a very rough time. I’m finding the treatments painful. On top of that I’ve had terrible depression. On a scale of 1 to 10, I’d be a 10.

I have Tardive Dyskinesia, a condition that causes me to have involuntary movements in my hands, feet, toes, mouth, and ankles. I was prescribed Austedo to help with the condition and it made my depression worse. I wasn’t sure if it was the TMS, or the zoloft causing the depression. Now I’m thinking it was the Austedo.

My mood is very low. I’m not finding joy but I also have many physical symptoms (which could be the zoloft). I have headaches, nausea, and general aches and pains. My hope is that I will feel better once the Austedo is out of my system.

I will have 36 treatments of TMS for my depression. I will update on how the TMS is going.

Dealing with Major Depressive Disorder with TMS

I was first diagnosed with anxiety and depression 20 years ago. I’ve tried many different medications. This year I was diagnosed with Tardive Dyskensia from a medication I was taking called vraylar. Because of this, I started looking for a new medication to help me.

After several trials and horrible side effects, my doctor suggested TMS. My first thought was-I’m not that bad off!!! He said that I did indeed have Major Depressive Disorder. I started looking into and the thought of this procedure helping me gave me tremendous hope!

I had my first TMS treatment a few hours ago and would like to share for those who are interested.

This initial treatment took about an hour because they did mapping and measurements of my head and a threshold test to determine what level to set the machine at. I will be using the Neuro Star rTMS. The initial pulses for mapping were tolerable but when they started the first treatment, it was mildly painful. On a scale of 1-10, it was a 6. I had pain just over my left eyebrow.

Immediately after treatment, I felt fine to drive and even went to volunteer at NAMI. I drove home feeling slightly nauseous, and anxious and I’m now relaxing.

I do feel drained but that may be the depression or just the anticipation of the procedure. I took Tylenol earlier but still have a mild headache; nothing too extreme but enough to be annoying.

I believe I’ll have 32 treatments covered by insurance! I’m ready to feel better.