Posted by floatingbridge on July 11, 2011, at 11:03:07
In reply to Do 7 more rTMS treatments?, posted by alchemy on July 10, 2011, at 18:48:22
> I have done 23 treatments, although it is a 30 treatment series. I think it's helped a little. I'm back to my "normal level" of depression. This weekend wasn't as bad as it was even last weekend. But if people respond to rTMS, they usually have improved more by now. The main concern is how expensive they are with my minimal chance of improvement. 7 treatments are $2000.
But I cannot do any more med trials. It would be ECT. (which has helped in the past)Hey Alchemy, these are tough decisions to make for anyone, esp someone with depression. I'm sorry.
I think you sound better. You say you feel better, albeit your baseline. So the process has helped. I am wondering if the intense headaches have remitted. Your case could be a very new one for the rTMS practitioners, where
improvement was slower and less robust than the gentleman you mentioned earlier who showed improvement at 20
treatments. If money was not an issue, I'd unofficially suggest continuing.To understand your situation, and the
factors weighing into your decision, I am wondering a few things. Would you be
able to have ECT if you finish your rTMS
treatment course? And when you say
you can't do any med trials, is that like saying they seem unhelpful or unavailable? I am also wondering what
the rTMS practitioners see in way of a plan for you after their treatment. For
example, I was told most likely a minimal maintenance med and tbd follow-ups depending on my response. Someday
rTMS will be as available as other
treatments.--I wish it was today.It's Monday morning here, so maybe you
have had to decide by now. Please post an update when you can.
poster:floatingbridge
thread:990706
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20110630/msgs/990748.html