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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 20 of 20. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by poser938 on January 30, 2012, at 20:36:31
today was my 1st day having rTMS done. i didnt feel any mood effects from it yet, i didnt expect to either. there is a bit of pain in your skull at the site where the magnet is stimulating your brain, but not too bad. i'm keeping my fingers crossed and praying that this treatment does exactly what i need it to do. i just cannot wait to start feeling better!
Posted by papillon2 on January 30, 2012, at 20:55:43
In reply to first day of rTMS, posted by poser938 on January 30, 2012, at 20:36:31
Oooh, how exciting for you! I look forward to hearing future updates. Will keep my fingers crossed that it brings you relief.
Posted by Emily Elizabeth on January 30, 2012, at 21:17:32
In reply to Re: first day of rTMS, posted by papillon2 on January 30, 2012, at 20:55:43
Today was my first day of tms too! Lots of luck to both of us!
EE
Posted by poser938 on January 30, 2012, at 21:23:37
In reply to Re: first day of rTMS, posted by Emily Elizabeth on January 30, 2012, at 21:17:32
cool. i will probably be done with my treatments before you. im doing them twice a day since i am having to stay 3 hours away from home in a hotel. they said as long as i can tolerate it, then it is just as affective this way.
how was your first day of it? wasnt too painful for you, was it? at first when they were trying to position the magnetm they were stimulating a nerve in my head and it hurt alot!
Posted by Phillipa on January 30, 2012, at 22:47:44
In reply to Re: first day of rTMS, posted by poser938 on January 30, 2012, at 21:23:37
Congrats to you both looking forward to positive updates!!!! Phillipa
Posted by SLS on January 31, 2012, at 0:47:36
In reply to first day of rTMS, posted by poser938 on January 30, 2012, at 20:36:31
Good luck guys!
Over the years, the rTMS procedure has been refined so that more people respond to it.
rTMS Treatment Parameters:1. Frequency
2. Duration
3. Intensity
4. Coil Placement
5. Total Trains
6. Train Interval
7. Total Sessions
- Scott
Posted by Emily Elizabeth on January 31, 2012, at 14:04:19
In reply to Re: first day of rTMS, posted by poser938 on January 30, 2012, at 21:23:37
I didn't find it painful, so much as annoying. My doc describes it as a woodpecker pecking on your head and I think that is the perfect description.
That is cool that you get to do 2 per day. I lucked out and my doc (the only one in a 2 hr radius that does it) is within walking distance from my job!! How is that for coincidence? He's a nice guy too, but then again, he should be for what I'm paying!!! :)
This AM's session wasn't bad either. Doc thinks I may notice some benefits by the end of the week. :)
Best,
EE
Posted by Roslynn on January 31, 2012, at 14:50:01
In reply to first day of rTMS, posted by poser938 on January 30, 2012, at 20:36:31
Best of luck to both of you, please keep us posted!
Roslynn
Posted by Twinleaf on January 31, 2012, at 17:31:43
In reply to first day of rTMS, posted by poser938 on January 30, 2012, at 20:36:31
Ii am so interested to learn that TMS isn't painful for any of you! The intensity I am given REALLY hurts me; I take codeine beforehand but it still brings tears to my eyes. But - the most important thing - it has been helpful every time in bringing me right out of depression. I agree with Scott that, as they get more experience, the therapy is becoming more effective, and it' even nicer if it's not so painful. ( my last treatment was two years ago)
I hope it helps every one of you as much as it has helped me, and really do want to hear what your experience is like.
Posted by poser938 on January 31, 2012, at 17:43:03
In reply to The pain issue....., posted by Twinleaf on January 31, 2012, at 17:31:43
yes it does feel exactly like how you'd imagine a woodpecker pecking at your head. it only makes my left eye tear up because that is the side getting syimulated. i just got back from having my 3rd session and it still hasnt had any effect on my mood. i'm trying to keep think positive, but it is so hard for me to be positive about anyting these days.
my doc told me that if i dont get much benefit from it this week (which is actually like 2 weeks of treatment in one) then they might double the session time from 37 minutes to 74 minutes. she said they have done that for a patient before.do you all have any entertainment during the therapy? at the moment they have this really relaxing music on, but in a few days they're supposed to be bringing a TV in there with netflix on it.
Posted by Emily Elizabeth on January 31, 2012, at 20:28:34
In reply to The pain issue....., posted by Twinleaf on January 31, 2012, at 17:31:43
Wow, twinleaf--2 years! I hope it lasts that long for me. My doc said that w/o maintenance tx it should last that long. He would like to do monthly single tx sessions to keep the remission going (provided there is a remission, but I am being optimistic).
There is a tv in the room (at just the perfect angle). His asst was talking to me today too.
My doc has treated about 80 people so far and has only had 4 not respond. Sounds like good odds to me!
Best,
EE
Posted by papillon2 on January 31, 2012, at 20:53:17
In reply to Re: The pain issue....., posted by poser938 on January 31, 2012, at 17:43:03
This is so exciting.
I would like to try rTMS if I run out of med options but apparently they will only give it to people who have tried ECT first and not had any relief.
Posted by poser938 on January 31, 2012, at 21:33:21
In reply to Re: The pain issue....., posted by papillon2 on January 31, 2012, at 20:53:17
someone gave you false information, it was specifically for anyone who has failed to respond to one trial of one antidepressant at a therapeutic.
you dont havw to try ECT before trying rTMS. if that were true, that would just be ridiculous. ECT can be dangerous while rTMS has no side effects.
Posted by papillon2 on January 31, 2012, at 22:14:33
In reply to Re: The pain issue....., posted by poser938 on January 31, 2012, at 21:33:21
It might be different in Australia. I think it's only on trial here, and they will only accept people who have had ECT fail. But maybe the psychiatrists I've seen are just pushing ECT first. Hope to be wrong!
Posted by poser938 on February 1, 2012, at 16:56:34
In reply to Re: first day of rTMS, posted by Roslynn on January 31, 2012, at 14:50:01
well, just some advice. i dont know if every doc that gives rTMS treatents knows this, but apparently if you put hairspray or other hair treatments in your hair, it can interfere with the connection with the magnet a bit. they say when it shows 1 green dot on the monitor, then the connection is good enough. but if it shows 2 then it is a perfect connection. some people it is really hard to get 2 green dots indicating perfect connection. luckily they have been able to get a perfect connection with me, though today i had my 5th treatment with no response in my mood yet.
Posted by Emily Elizabeth on February 2, 2012, at 9:22:08
In reply to Re: first day of rTMS, posted by poser938 on February 1, 2012, at 16:56:34
I think it may be working! I don't want to be overly optimistic, but after three treatments, I have noticed a reduction in self-harm thoughts and caught myself laughing at something on TV. A good sign!!
Sending thoughts of healing your way too!
Best,
EE
Posted by poser938 on February 2, 2012, at 19:22:30
In reply to Re: first day of rTMS, posted by Emily Elizabeth on February 2, 2012, at 9:22:08
i still havent felt a thing from it, other than the painful tapping. no effect on mood at all after 7 treatments so far.
Posted by papillon2 on February 2, 2012, at 20:41:50
In reply to Re: first day of rTMS, posted by poser938 on February 2, 2012, at 19:22:30
I really hope it kicks in soon for you. :-(
Posted by sailboat77 on February 3, 2012, at 23:18:59
In reply to first day of rTMS, posted by poser938 on January 30, 2012, at 20:36:31
I've been done with my TMS treatments for about 3 weeks now and have attained a significant improvement in mood.... not a huge improvement nor a small improvement --- somewhere in the middle. I initially didn't feel any benefits until my 15th treatment. It took a while, but it finally started to work. I'm glad to hear you're already feeling the benefits; people progress at different rates and the degree of mood improvement varies.
Just don't get discouraged if depressive symptoms occur occasionally during treatments because that's normal. I really hope you continue on your path to wellness, so keep us all updated.
-Best of luck
Posted by Emily Elizabeth on February 7, 2012, at 19:02:26
In reply to Re: first day of rTMS, posted by poser938 on February 2, 2012, at 19:22:30
Are you feeling anything yet? I sure hope so! Sending positive thoughts you way!
Best,
EE
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