TMS - Beyond great 1st week, not so good week 2 and beyond

Hi -

I went through my 5 week TMS treatment between July and August last year. I noticed a difference after the very first treatment, and after my 5th treatment that Friday, I drove home with that good tingly feeling in my arms and legs. I was on top of the world, feeling like I had never felt my entire life. Anxiety was completely gone, as was my depression. In weeks after however, I fell back into my old rut again. That very next Monday I had a panic attack while out playing in my pool league, and depression-wise was definitely not like the week prior. I've heard of "dips" with people and their TMS treatment, but the implies you rebound. I never did. I had a couple "re-ups" since the end of my treatment, but they've done nothing. Today my depression is worse than ever, and I'm getting desperate for help....it's negatively impacting some very important aspects of my life. The anxiety is mostly under control due to a new medication my prescribing doc has me on.

I talked with both my therapist and prescribing doc in separate appointments today. Prior to now, I had casually mentioned how things were to the doc, but sensed he wasn't getting it and planned to be very vocal about it today, which I was. He suggested we try to get more sessions approved by insurance (I only have 3 sessions left approved) and do another condensed series of treatments instead of the once a month'ish re-up. When I questioned him if there was anything we could change about the treatment that might get me back to where I was week 1, he suggested A) a higher voltage, and B) treat the other side of my head. Not that starting around week 3 they did treat both sides, initially the left, then added the right when I complained of my anxiety coming back.

The depression is bad, and I spent 5 weeks last year rearranging my work schedule to go to daily treatments. I'd prefer not to do it again if it'll be no help. Hoping anyone with experience can answer some or all of these questions:

– Does a voltage change and switching sides of head seem like a reasonable and common approach for people with my experience?
– When they did both sides of my head to try and battle the anxiety that came back, does that nullify the recommendation from my doc to move to right side? (I tried telling him that, but he seemed to indicate this would somehow be different.)
– Are there other changes I may be missing out on due to an experience issue? They’ve had the machine for 5+ years, and prescribing doc was involved in initial calibration with me, but after that it was by a woman who Neurostar came in and certified at some point.
– The placement of the “zapper thingy” at times seemed like it was in different spots, but they assured me it was just the angle of it, and the machine supposedly said it was making a connection to my head in the right spot. Does this sound right?
– I hear a lot of people experiencing a dip, but getting a positive result in the end…..but not really hearing any stories like mine, where I got 1 good week then it quickly died off. Is my situation common or known?

I don’t know if I should try someone different (current doc is conveniently 15 mins away), and if so, if I could maybe expect different result. I don’t know what my insurance will even cover at this point, and I still have 3 treatments left. I don’t know what to ask. I don’t know what to do.

Help…..please….any advice is GREATLY appreciated.

Steve

Hello & Welcome, Skoehler. Thank you for sharing your experience; TMS is a fairly recent arrival. My psychiatrist spoke of it, but he was not in a position to prescribe it.

Consider posting this in the Other Treatments Forum as well.

Hello skoehler: I'm sorry I cannot comment with regard to your concerns. However since this is your first post here on PC... to PsychCentral… from the Skeezyks! May the time you spend here be of benefit.

Hi skoehler,

You might want to try what's described in the snap club thread in depression success stories

https://forums.psychcentral.com/depr...n-escaped.html

TMS treatment for depression stimulates the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex which is not coincidentally should also be the part of your brain that gets activated when you make conscious decisions as described in snap club. It's easy and safe to try.

- vital