Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS)

Thinking about trying this procedure as an alternative to ECT.

Has anyone had experienced with this treatment, or know of anyone who has?

Has anyone tried both ECT and rTMS?

Good article about the two and research being done on just this question: http://www.neuropsychiatryreviews.co...ec00_rtms.html

Thanks Perna.

YES. I had ECT a lifetime ago when I was in a terrible marriage to a scientist and very young. All it did was zap my short-term memory. I finally got out of the marriage in 7 1/2 years - what I needed to do! I believe that ECT should only be used as a last resort when nothing else at all works or is available. Scientist husband thought it was great because it was "scientific." I should have never, ever had it. Had flashbacks (relived ECT) for 15 years afterwards. Horrible! They didn't even try me on anti-depressants first! I had a tiny bit of Valium. that is all.

I had TMS last year, 15 mos. ago, to be exact. It was very expensive and my insurance here in the SW would not pay for it. My therapist, doctor and case manager screwed up things with my insurance, but at the time I heard that it is covered only in the Eastern states so I don't think I had a chance of them paying for it, anyway. I will never know. It was just a lovely experience and I'm glad I did it. I had no pain at all during the procedure. It did NOT cure my depression but instead "woke me up" to LIFE, my life. What it did for me was to make me so much more AWARE of everything and I would not trade that for anything. This occurred while I was, I feel, quite over-medicated and sleepwalking like a zombie! It was very intense for about an hour every weekday for six weeks. It took several months to realize what it did for me. The other important change was that it totally cured my Fibromyalgia - it was GONE. It has not returned and I also still have the new awareness that I gained from TMS. I knew there was also a possibility of it curing Fibromyalgia and that is one reason I did it. I am an older person so not having to live the remainder of my life in pain from Fibromyalgia is wonderful! Don't do it unless your insurance will cover the cost or unless you have 8-11 thousand dollars to spend on it.... I now have a new psychiatrist and that was a very positive change also. I did not have the TMS done by my regular psychiatrist.

I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM ANYONE ELSE OUT THERE WHO HAS HAD TMS TREATMENT. PLEASE CONTACT ME!

I had TMS but didnt work for me. Not painful at all. In Australia it is done in some hospitals and is still under the trial basis therefore it is free. I think you do need private health care cover to access the hospitals.

TMS works miracles for some. I know a middle aged man who was heavily sedated on Seroquel for Depression and PTSD, diagnosed with Parkinsons. The TMS cured him. I know another older lady who tried TMS and her depression is gone. Both of these people need on going top ups - more times in TMS but they are so pleased with the changes. It has been amazing to see how different they are.

Some people are helped by TMS. Some people are not. When it works it works.

I considered it, but it was hugely expensive, not covered by insurance, and results are generally about 50/50 at best. I've had previous good results from ECT, so in the event I need that level of intervention ever again, I would probably just do the ECT again. Hopefully, I've finally healed beyond that level of intervention now. I believe I truly have.