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utopiaSenior Contributor
Hi everyone. I'm considering doing TMS, Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation, and was wondering if anyone has undergone this treatment for their Major Depression. How did you find the experience? Any pain or side effects? Did the treatment work for you? How long did the treatment work? Do you still have to have follow up sessions?
A lot of questions. Sorry.
In response to: TMS
Eve7Senior Contributor
Hello @utopia I had a few sessions of TMS but I ended up needing ECT at the time. I didn’t have any side effects so that was a plus. It has just been suggested to me again so I might go ahead if the ad meds don’t kick in soon. I’m in hospital now and I have spoken to a few people about it and they all spoke favourably.
In response to: TMS
ParadoxymoronCasual Contributor
Hi @utopia .... I've just started doing tms and am having mixed feelings about it. My gp suggested it to me because he has done it himself, and had a very positive result, but that has started wearing off for him four months after treatment. I've researched online and also had discussions with the nurse and psych where I'm having it done, and it seems fairly consistent that the effect wears off after about 4 to 5 months, so people go back for further treatment. I've been experiencing a pain in my forehead every time I get it done, which I've spoken with my gp and the psych about, and they both said that lots of people can experience similar pain and not to be too worried... but it is concerning to me. I did a bunch of online research and came across people who say they experienced memory loss, tinnitus and negative effects to cognitive functioning from the treatment... this is obviously also concerning. But the gp and psych tell me that all of the clinical research indicates minimal negative effects, and they said that I shouldn't take online anecdotal info too seriously. However, I do take personal stories seriously and don't always have much faith in clinical research for various reasons, so I'm kind of torn over the whole thing. What I can say is that they're doing a more intense shorter version for medicare patients (originally treatment was 15 to 20 mins long, but this new version is only 3 to 5 mins long)... so it effectively is supposed to be doing the same thing that the longer one does, but is more intense. Both the psych and gp admitted that this allows them to get more patients through. So, I requested the longer, less intense version. The psych said that the longer one has an extra cost which is not covered by medicare because it exceeds the 15minute standard session time. But he also advised that they can do a slightly longer version on the right hand side (it's normally done on the left), which is less intense and lasts for 10mins... he said this will be fully covered by medicare because it fits within the 15min standard session time. So I'm going to give that a go to see if I feel more comfortable with it... but if I don't, I'll stop. I desperately want to be done with chronic depression, but I'm not sure whether the apparent risks and need to repeat the treatment are worth the pay off? If you decide to do it, I hope you have positive results.... good luck!
In response to: Re: TMS
tymeModerator
Welcome to the forums @Paradoxymoron and thank you for sharing your experiences with us. It certainly sounds like sometimes there are more questions than answers.
I hope it works out for you and that you see improvement.
Please take care and I look forward to seeing you around on the forums.
In response to: Re: TMS
ParadoxymoronCasual Contributor
Thankyou @tyme 🙂
In response to: Re: TMS
utopiaSenior Contributor
Thank you @Eve7 for taking time out during your hospital stay to answer my questions. Much appreciated.
Thank you too @Paradoxymoron for writing from your heart about concerns regarding the treatment. All information makes it best for me to decide what way to go
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Help us push aside the stigma and discrimination surrounding complex mental health and change the way people talk about, and care for, mental illness.
SANE acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures; and to Elders past and present.
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