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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by bipolarspectrum on February 17, 2004, at 22:46:34
Hi,
I was just wondering whether people have tried repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) and whether it worked? IE. was worth the money.
In Canada, its 1000/week and I believe treatment is 3-4 weeks...
Posted by Pfinstegg on February 18, 2004, at 15:14:01
In reply to RTMS - Worth the $$?, posted by bipolarspectrum on February 17, 2004, at 22:46:34
Is it worth the money..it does cost a lot here in the US, too- just about the same. I have had an initial 3-week course of once-daily treatments, plus two "boosters" of twice-daily treatments for 3 days each. I had them all about 4 months apart, and they each sent me into remission for several months, followed by gradual recurrence. The recurrences have been quite mild, however, compared to the degree of initial depression before. The doctor who gave them to me that said they help about 60% of the people he treats, but he will try to treat almost anyone with severe depression, including two lobotomy patients and some with psychotic depression. I think that if he selected for milder degrees of depression, his results would look better, but he is trying it for the people who don't have other good options. I am willing to go and pay for it- and hopefully receive a tax deduction (will find out after April 15!)- because it really works for me, and I never found a medication that did.
Posted by linkadge on February 19, 2004, at 7:40:57
In reply to Re: RTMS - Worth the $$? » bipolarspectrum, posted by Pfinstegg on February 18, 2004, at 15:14:01
It is strange. I have built my own rTMS device.
Ever since using it my symptoms have totally changed. I used to be worried sick about university and sucess. All of a sudden, being a janitor is a viable option.
But the problem is that I dont think it mixes with these medications I am taking.
Every medication I take that boosts serotonin, now gives me symptoms of serotonin syndrome.
It is like my brain is producing more of the stuff now.Either I have totally messed my brain up, or made it a whole lot better. I seem very different. In many ways, It is hard to describe.
Linkadge
Posted by Pfinstegg on February 19, 2004, at 10:09:29
In reply to Re: RTMS - Worth the $$? » bipolarspectrum, posted by Pfinstegg on February 18, 2004, at 15:14:01
Hi Linkage! I'm really glad to hear from you, as i was wondering how you were doing with your own TMS device. On my last visit to Atlanta, I noticed that most of the people getting TMS (with successful results)had been put on a monthly schedule. I would actually like to do that, too, but it's very far and expensive. This is by way of leading up to asking you whether you are getting too much TMS! As you know, it does increase the levels of all three main neurotransmitters, as well as BDNF. Maybe your brain is really benefitting, but it might be too much of a good thing! I have found that with once-every-four month TMS, I don't need any Lexapro any longer. Are you taking an SSRI still- maybe you don't need it any longer!
The SSRI's didn't work very well, but just enough to take away the suicidal thoughts. But I became very indifferent to everything. However, now, I feel that I have my full set of feelings back- joy. sorrow, the ability to cry, to set goals and work towrds them- and not least, the ability to make love the way I used to- the real thing!
I hope you will keep posting about how you work things out. As far as I know, we are the only two TMS-ers!
Posted by linkadge on February 20, 2004, at 8:58:17
In reply to Re: RTMS - Worth the $$? » Pfinstegg, posted by Pfinstegg on February 19, 2004, at 10:09:29
I have some problems now. Every time I take a serotogenic medication I get shivers, reminiciant of serotonin snydrome.
Right now I am trying just tegrotol.
I have anxiety, (zero mental anxiety) it is all in my stomach.
The effects from the rTMS are absolutely out of this world in terms of efficacy. I have never slept better in my life, ever.
There is a small fear as I am walking into the unknown.
The tegrotol really seems to be helping some strange problems I get such as visual distortions etc (They might have been present before the rTMS) But my mind says that there may have been some residual kindling that was causing those problems.
Powerful stuff, hey if you want it for free, stop by some time. !!!
Linkadge
Posted by Pfinstegg on February 20, 2004, at 14:14:31
In reply to Re: RTMS - Worth the $$?, posted by linkadge on February 20, 2004, at 8:58:17
Hey, thanks-that's very tempting! I hope it gets FDA-approved soon, but haven't heard about when it might be.
Posted by bipolarspectrum on February 20, 2004, at 19:39:35
In reply to Re: RTMS - Worth the $$? » linkadge, posted by Pfinstegg on February 20, 2004, at 14:14:31
Hey,
Thanx for the messages Pfi and link, it's nice to hear good stories.. I'm off to Vancouver to have rTMS!! I'm excited and scared at the same time.. Excited bkuz it may alleviate my depression, yet scared bkuz it may not work! Anywayz, its twice a day treatments at $200 a shot! Minimum 20 treatments... When you two experienced an improvement, is it instantenous or gradual??
Posted by Pfinstegg on February 20, 2004, at 20:23:02
In reply to Re: RTMS - I'll be number 3!!, posted by bipolarspectrum on February 20, 2004, at 19:39:35
The first time I was treated with TMS, I was really severely depressed, but got into euthymia after about 4 days. The rest of the treatments were supposed to help *maintain*, although my doctor said he didn't really know yet how many were needed for that. We sort of decided together on 15. The boosters have been 6 treatments over 3 days. Both times I went, I began to feel fine after the second treatment, although I was much less depressed than the first time.
I just HOPE this is as effective for you as it has been for Linkage and me! One thing- there are no side effects to worry about that I know of. It feels a bit like being drilled in the head, but not in an excessively painful way. I thought Linkage's report of perhaps having too much serotonin from the combination of TMS and SSRI's was very worth noting. I was asked to be off of them while being treated, and now don't seem to need them any longer.
Good luck to you! And be SURE to tell us how it goes.
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