[sunnydisposition]

It's been 7 weeks to the date today since i started prozac and i havent had any success whatsoever with my anxiety. It hasn't budged an inch. Im at 40 mg dosage. And tomorrow i go up to 60 mg. Anyways, my doc suggested to give this treatment a try as an add on therapy. she mentioned the only side effect can be a headache. i trust her, so im considering it. But i know virtually nothing about this technology. never even heard of it until yesterday. So any information, thoughts, suggestions you can share that might help would be much appreciated.

This procedure is becoming more and more recognised as an alternative to ECT. However, I am a little shocked that it would be recommended for someone only 7 weeks into treatment. This treatment is usually classified as one for people with proven medication resistance. Additionally, what other medications have been tried? I am also astonished because 7wks isn't enough time to see if a medication is working. Generally a doctor will tell you that you may need to wait 6-12 weeks for a new medication to do so.Also, I have never heard of rTMS for anxiety. I understood it to be for the treatment of pretty heavy depression.

As for results. I know of several people who had this. All said this was extremely invasive into their lives. Some said they felt it did help (with their depression).

Invasive in your life? Yes, check into this. All the people I know who undertook this said they had to go everyday for weeks on end. It impacted their daily lives (ie. they were unable to work for the 6-8 wks they undertook the therapy).

But most said it was improving.

[*Laurie*]

I will second justafriend's post. You've been on only one medication, correct? There are so many medications still to try. Perhaps your doctor's idea to try rTMS is a good idea, although I also thought it was for severe depression, not anxiety. Of cours, emany times anxiety can be caused by depression.

[sunnydisposition]

I hear you guys. i have been on a few meds that i didnt tolerate. so far i've tried, paroxetine ( had to stop this after two weeks coz it caused severe urinary retention and incontinence ), Fluvoxamine and pristiq ( had to stop these coz of sexual side effects), Abilify ( weight gain). I'll probably have to stop prozac as well coz my appetite is through the roof. My dinner is like a 700 to 800 calories alone and then i wake up in the morning mid sleep one more time for another go at about 200 calories of food. Although the prozac is not the sole culprit behind this food binging, it has a partner, seroquel.

I think my doctor understands that im sensitive to meds. So maybe she suggested this treatment as an alternative to meds. But i think im gonna keep this as an option of last resort. There are still many meds to try. Hopefully i'll find one with manageable side effects.

I am sorry to tell you that weight gain and medication is a fact of life. You have to ask yourself which is more important, mental and emotional stability or extra weight.

If you are overly concerned about weight gain, I recommend you have a discussion with your doctor about Metformin. Yes, it is a drug for the management of Diabetes. Studies have shown that Metformin helps weight management (providing you are eating and living a healthy lifestyle). Some doctors out there are prescribing it off label as part of a psychiatric medication regimen.

I was rapidly gaining weight on my own medication. But, since the introduction of Metformin, that seems to be under control.

[*Laurie*]

What justafriend has posted is true...every medication, and every treatment, has side-effects. No one likes them, but then, no one wants to be mentally ill, either

[sunnydisposition]

I'm not saying i want something without no side affects whatsoever. all i want is that whatever the side effects are, they are somewhat manageable. Like i' dont mind, a few extra pounds, hell im already 10 kg's over my regular weight ( my weight before i started all these meds). I'm still willing to gain a few more pounds on top of that. As long as it stops there. stabalize. And dont increase any more. Is that too much to ask?

[*Laurie*]

Originally Posted by Ravdeep Singh

I'm not saying i want something without no side affects whatsoever. all i want is that whatever the side effects are, they are somewhat manageable. Like i' dont mind, a few extra pounds, hell im already 10 kg's over my regular weight ( my weight before i started all these meds). I'm still willing to gain a few more pounds on top of that. As long as it stops there. stabalize. And dont increase any more. Is that too much to ask?

Unfortunately, it's a lot to ask....Psych treatments are far from perfect. I don't know why researchers cannot come up with psychiatric medications that don't cause any weight gain. As things stand now, though, meds have a lot of side effects.

[Nammu]

I've heard great things about TMS. If it works for you its very effective and other than a headaches painless to try.

[jacky8807]

You don't have to suffer with weight gain or impossible side effects . Some side effects make a med not worth it
Massive weight gain leads to a million problems and is to be avoided
I heard rtms is NON invasive unlike ECT and probably less invasive than most meds!!!! Give it a try

[sunnydisposition]

Originally Posted by *Laurie*

Unfortunately, it's a lot to ask....Psych treatments are far from perfect. I don't know why researchers cannot come up with psychiatric medications that don't cause any weight gain. As things stand now, though, meds have a lot of side effects.

yeah, you are absolutely right laurie.

I wish i could stand to gain weight and still be happy. But for some reason, I dont know why, maybe im vain, my self esteem is tied very strongly to my fitness. Maybe coz i was over weight as a kid and got bullied for being so. So ever since i have then, I've turned into a fitness freak. Obsessively so. I had to, in order to fit in with the crowd and survive.

Right now my primary concern is anxiety, nothing more. But when my weight becomes un manageable, like it crosses a certain point i get severely depressed. I dont have any kind of support that i can count on. My family believes im possessed by a spirit. They basically leave me alone in my room. All alone, all day, all year. given such circumstances i just cant handle depression right now. Anxiety i can deal with, but im not so sure i can survive depression.

[Jolisse]

Had TMS and it didn't work.

[sparkyfox]

Originally Posted by *Laurie*

I will second justafriend's post. You've been on only one medication, correct? There are so many medications still to try. Perhaps your doctor's idea to try rTMS is a good idea, although I also thought it was for severe depression, not anxiety. Of cours, emany times anxiety can be caused by depression.

I am on Celexa for anxiety and have not really had any weight gain. I do exercise and try to eat well.