I just wanted to give an informative post for anyone interested. I just underwent TMS for my depression symptoms. It is bizarre how much relief it has given me! I've struggled my whole life with depression, feeling like life is pointless, suicidal thoughts, etc. I've had 18 ECT treatments that didn't really help at all and that were terrifying to me. I lost a whole year of memories (which I expected), but the biggest impact is on my short term memory which is still crap 5 years later. I do believe for many people ECT saves lives so I'm not arguing against it or anything. That's just my own experience with it.

During TMS, you basically sit in a chair while a machine taps you on the head and sends a very fine tuned magnetic pulse into your right prefrontal cortex. The magnetic part is similar to an MRI and you wear earplugs and no metal above the chest area. There is no shock, seizure or electrical current like ECT. There is no sedation at all and it lasts 37 minutes. I watched TV the whole time and they actually made me stay awake for whatever reason. They measured me for 2 1/2 hours before I started the treatments, finding my motor threshold, etc. so that they aimed it at just the right spot. It is painless for most people after the first week although I was unusually sensitive and it hurt the whole 6 weeks. That is rare though and the fact that I was sensitive to it meant that I improved at a much faster pace. I can tolerate anything for 37 minutes

So after the first week or two I noticed little things like wanting to open up the blinds and windows, wanting to go out of the house, etc. I was surprised when I realized I didn't have those thoughts of being worthless or hopeless anymore. I looked forward to things and wanted to do things and be with people. Most people get a real spike in energy too and I kind of have, but it's complicated due to the crap-load of meds I have to take to control the psychotic and bipolar aspects of my disorder. I still feel great 2 weeks later. Many people don't notice much of a change until about the 4th or 5th week and then it's a dramatic change.

It's expensive if insurance doesn't cover it (it's a pretty new technology), but coverage kind of depends on what state you live in. Frankly, I paid cash because I felt so desperate for SOMETHING to help. I encourage anyone who 's depression isn't being helped by any medication or combo of meds to check it out. It feels like a miracle to me

If anyone wants more info, go to neurostar.com or Duke University's website. Or just message me for my personal thoughts or experience.