Posted by Pfinstegg on June 18, 2004, at 21:19:11
In reply to rTMS'rs out there ???, posted by linkadge on June 17, 2004, at 15:28:29
It was good to hear that you are in an rTMS trial, and I hope you will let us know what you think of it. I have had it four times on "off-label" use, and feel it is extremely safe, both because of my own experience (I usually feel *smarter* for quite a while afterwards!), and from the reading I did before I started it. Like any new thing, it's impossible to know what the long-term effects might be, but we are discovering that that is also true of SSRI's which have been available for a long time.
I also wanted to join a study, but was not eligible because of being left-handed. I certainly agree that a lot of time and care is taken in finding exactly the right spot to apply it- it is only supposed to reach several centimeters into the brain- and the intensity, number of stimulations and secure placement on the scalp are very important. At the center I go to, an initial course of three week's daily treatment is given, followed by six sessions of twice daily treatments as maintenance. Some patients need to go every month for these "boosters"- others, like me go every few months. I would prefer to go every month, myself, but the travel distance is a limiting factor. I do think it's an excellent, side-effect free treatment.
I noticed that the vagus nerve stimulator received FDA approval. From what I know, this is a less effective treatment than TMS; I hope thatit won't be too long before rTMS receives approval also. I have read that it might be in 2005.
Linkadge, it's hard to know how to evaluate your treatments, as I believe you do them every day. I'm not sure what intensities, number of pulses and placements you are using. Do you have a specific reason for being concerned about brain damage- has anything happened to worry you?
poster:Pfinstegg
thread:357593
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20040614/msgs/357988.html