[zoiecat]

I just started with a new T after 5 years with my old one. He had a sudden medical issue and it is unknown if he will ever return to practice.

On my first session with new T he suggested I try TMS therapy as a way to seek relief from symptoms and speed up the results of therapy for trauma.

It is quite extensive with an hour session 5x a week for 4-6 weeks and I could only do it if insurance will pay. It is very possible they will pay but even then it will be a big expensive with my copay amounts.

I am thinking of trying it if insurance will cover it. Has anyone had any experience with this type of treatment?

[ArtleyWilkins]

You might try posting this on the medication forum since it is a medical treatment.

Years back my pdoc offered it, but I wasn't about to be able to afford the expense nor the time for it. I responded well to unilateral ECT both times I had it, with no significant memory issues, etc. AND insurance fully paid for ECT.

I haven't kept up with how TMS is regarded now, about a decade later, by insurance. I hope whatever you decide, you do feel improvements.

[LonesomeTonight]

I don't have personal experience with it, but had mentioned it to my T when a good friend was considering it. He said from what he's heard from clients, TMS did not tend to help much. ECT and the clinical version of ketamine (there's a nasal spray and I think an IV version) were much more effective. But that's anecdotal evidence, and everyone is different. If insurance will cover it, and you can also spend the amount of time it will take, it seems worth a shot.

Oh, and I almost forgot--ex-T had suggested it to me at one point, like 6 years ago. However, when I mentioned it to ex-p-doc, she said that because I had both depression and anxiety, she wouldn't recommend it, because it hadn't really been studied for anxiety--her concern was that it could potentially have caused my anxiety to increase. But studies may have been done since then. You mentioned trauma (I'm assuming PTSD/cPTSD?), so might be good to check into what research has been done in that area regarding TMS and its effectiveness, plus potential side effects. Perhaps that's something your new T might be able to show you? If he has some research on it?

[zoiecat]

Originally Posted by LonesomeTonight

I don't have personal experience with it, but had mentioned it to my T when a good friend was considering it. He said from what he's heard from clients, TMS did not tend to help much. ECT and the clinical version of ketamine (there's a nasal spray and I think an IV version) were much more effective. But that's anecdotal evidence, and everyone is different. If insurance will cover it, and you can also spend the amount of time it will take, it seems worth a shot.

Oh, and I almost forgot--ex-T had suggested it to me at one point, like 6 years ago. However, when I mentioned it to ex-p-doc, she said that because I had both depression and anxiety, she wouldn't recommend it, because it hadn't really been studied for anxiety--her concern was that it could potentially have caused my anxiety to increase. But studies may have been done since then. You mentioned trauma (I'm assuming PTSD/cPTSD?), so might be good to check into what research has been done in that area regarding TMS and its effectiveness, plus potential side effects. Perhaps that's something your new T might be able to show you? If he has some research on it?

Thanks LT. Healthline has a good article on it. I was surprised to see that TMS has been approved by the FDC and used for multiple issues such as OCD, anxiety, and PTSD among others. I have to go through an intake session to see if I will qualify. My T said having DID may be an issue so I will soon find out.

[LonesomeTonight]

I hope you're able to try it out and it helps you!