Posted by KaraS on March 18, 2005, at 20:22:18
In reply to Re: rTMS promising treatment or not? » Pfinstegg, posted by Pfinstegg on March 18, 2005, at 15:55:31
> I realized that I didn't answer your question about side effects! The treatment hurts me enough that I take codeine 45 minutes beforehand; with that, I'm pretty comfortable. The pulses sound like a loud hammer, so you do need to be sure to use earplugs to protect your hearing. Some people get a headache; I never have. After the treatment is over, I feel completely normal, and just walk out and drive back to where I'm staying- no confusion or memory loss whatsoever.
>
> As to any possible long-term, more serious side-effects, I try to watch carefully for any hint of those in the medical reports, as does the psychiatrist who gives it to me. I haven't seen anything to concern me; still, it is not yet an FDA-approved treatment.
Thanks so much for your response! It sounds very encouraging. How are you able to get this treatment if it is not yet FDA-approved? Are you part of a study? I wonder how long before it is approved. I also wonder how it compares to CES (cranial electrical stimulation). There have been some posts about CES lately so I've been curious. CES is probably much milder but it has the advantage of buying a device and giving yourself the treatments.I'm still baffled as to why rTMS gets so little attention here at Babble. Why would people be looking to Deep Brain Stimulation that involves brain surgery if something like this could work as well and be much easier and probably safer? Maybe because with the DBS you don't have to keep going back for treatments?
At any rate, thanks again for taking the time to answer me. I should probably do some searches to find out what else has been said about it here in the archives.
Take care,
Kara
poster:KaraS
thread:472499
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20050317/msgs/472646.html