Before TMS, there was maybe a year when I was off medication and I was really into Buddhism. That helped more than anything, but I had lost faith in anything spiritual and religious. I felt for a long time that my life had no meaning. I was very depressed to the point of being suicidal. I was struggling to get through day to day. Exercise sometimes helped. I have zero self-esteem and the only thing I really ever valued is my intellect. My therapist recommended NeuroStar TMS Therapy and the literature seemed to check out and support the treatment as efficacious. I had been on medications but a lot of problems still remained. I decided to give TMS Therapy a shot. After starting treatments, it is much easier for me to get out of bed and I feel like I am sleeping better. I get up and walk the dog now and clean up around the house. I have more motivation, especially to find a job. I started applying and updated my resume. It’s been easier for me to go out and socialize now and my friends say I look like I’m doing a lot better.
Treatment is no big deal, show up for 37 minutes. It is a little painful at first to be honest, but you get used to it. Basically it involves sitting back in a chair and talking to someone while little pulses get sent through your head. It’s not even that distracting; you can carry on conversations and watch TV. I think I definitely noticed a change when I was able to do things that I wasn’t able to do before, like having the motivation to get out of bed in the morning. Things didn’t feel like a chore anymore.
Anyone who is thinking about the treatment, if medication and therapy haven’t worked, this is definitely worth a try. Dr. Perera recommended following a few rules such as working out, eating right, and staying away from drugs and alcohol while going through treatment which I think seemed to help as well.
Thank you for sharing. I have trouble with motivation and getting out of bed in the morning like you described. I also have issues with negative thinking and bringing myself down. I just started TMS and I’m hoping to find similar results. I’m wondering how long you’ve completed your treatment and if you’ve had to go back for boosters? I’m afraid I have these patterns in my life that may result in repeat depression but I’m hoping the TMS changes those behaviors so it doesn’t happen. Can you tell me if your thought process has changed as a result of TMS?
Congratulations on your success with this treatment modality. You are such an inspiration for me. Peace Shalom
Hi. I was just wondering if you had many problems getting insurance approval for TMS, and if so, how did you resolve those problems.
Thanks for your time.
So happy for you. My daily struggles with depression are the same as yours…everything DEFINITELY feels like a chore…been on and off meds for the past 14 years (started off as post partum and havent been the same since). Currently I’m off all meds for the 3 years..as I also struggled with addiction. Went into a non medical rehabilitation center and was taken off all medications. I have no insurance so starting back on medications does not seem like a suitable option at this time. However, this seems rather promising..with minimal to no side effects of stoping treatment if financially it becmes too costly. Thank you for sharing your experience with this treatment.