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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 11 of 11. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Sailboat77 on April 17, 2012, at 10:29:40
I went through six weeks of TMS treatments, which ended 3 months ago, and now face the fact that it has failed. Initially, I felt as though my treatment-resistant depression was improving modestly. But 4 weeks after, I gradually realized my depression had not changed. It may have been my immense hope, and quite honestly my desperation, that led me to believe I was getting better when I truly wasn't.
I feel disheartened and stupid. I spent so much of my hope, time and money on this, only to find I'm not much better. It's hard to face the prospect that at the age of 25 the rest of my life will be marked by this depression. As many of you know, the sadness is hard to swallow. I'm really not sure what to do next. I suppose I'll continue with the Parnate, although it doesn't seem to do much like the multitude of other meds I have tried or prior ECT treatments.
I don't mean to take away hope from those looking to try TMS. Some people have indeed gotten significantly better. For myself though, I'm left with few other options. There has been a lot of talk about Ketamine but I'm not sure if it's a longterm solution or even available considering it's still in trials. I don't know if anyone has better insights into Ketamine--my doctor mentioned getting me into trials.
I just feel so sad.
Posted by MrAnderson on April 17, 2012, at 16:47:13
In reply to TMS failure, posted by Sailboat77 on April 17, 2012, at 10:29:40
Hey Sailboat, sorry to hear that the TMS didn't work. When I was on Parnate the things that worked the best for me for augmenting were T3 (thyroid hormone), magnesium citrate and zinc.
I didn't think any of them would actually work that well, but after I started taking them I was able to stop taking Parnate which I never thought I'd be able to do.
There's a recent thread about ketamine, the poster's doctor wanted to prescribe ketamine for depression so maybe you could find out who the doc is:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20120411/msgs/1015581.html
Good luck and hope you feel better!
Posted by poser938 on April 17, 2012, at 17:42:01
In reply to TMS failure, posted by Sailboat77 on April 17, 2012, at 10:29:40
i also did TMS a few months ago. i got zero benefit from it, too.
i'm actually on ketamine now, but my doc prescribed an incredibly low dose,which might explain why im getting no benefit from it. but i have read many experiences about it where people were helped aheck of a lot from it.
Posted by Phillipa on April 17, 2012, at 18:26:51
In reply to Re: TMS failure, posted by poser938 on April 17, 2012, at 17:42:01
I got notification in a newsletter that ketamine really does work. It was the IV method though. Sorry the TMS didn't work for you. You are so yound there will for sure be much better treatments in the future for. Hang in there. Phillipa
Posted by Sailboat77 on April 18, 2012, at 10:18:09
In reply to Re: TMS failure, posted by Phillipa on April 17, 2012, at 18:26:51
Thank you for your input and advice, it truly helps.
Posted by SLS on April 28, 2012, at 15:30:32
In reply to Re: TMS failure, posted by MrAnderson on April 17, 2012, at 16:47:13
> Hey Sailboat, sorry to hear that the TMS didn't work. When I was on Parnate the things that worked the best for me for augmenting were T3 (thyroid hormone), magnesium citrate and zinc.
>
> I didn't think any of them would actually work that well, but after I started taking them I was able to stop taking Parnate which I never thought I'd be able to do.Do you think your condition might have been caused by thyroid abnormalities to begin with? It might have been a NE receptor thing. The magnesium and zinc are interesting. I'm glad you are doing well on them.
- Scott
Posted by SLS on April 28, 2012, at 15:37:08
In reply to TMS failure, posted by Sailboat77 on April 17, 2012, at 10:29:40
> I feel disheartened and stupid. I spent so much of my hope,
Hope is a double-edged sword. It can keep you alive. It can also lead to demoralization. Often, the demoralization passes and allows you to hope again. If hope fuels your drive to get well, then you are very fortunate. I am betting that you are. The number of permutations of treatments for mood disorders is quite large, and I doubt that you have tried them all.
What medications are you currently taking?
Keep sailing onward. You'll get there.
- Scott
Posted by mckibbe on March 4, 2015, at 18:39:23
In reply to TMS failure, posted by Sailboat77 on April 17, 2012, at 10:29:40
I started TMS for bipolar 1 around the first of May 2014. At the time I was only taking 15 MG Abilify in the morning and 4 MG clonazepam. I paid the full $12,000.00. Now is it 10 months later. In addition to what I use to take I also take 400 MG Seroquel, 300 MG trazodone and 5 MG melatonin. I've gained more than 50 lbs. I rarely sleep and when I do I don't sleep well. I have no more money. I wish I could take thorazine for sleeping but it causes tachycardia which was a $900.00 visit to the emergency room.
Any advice is welcome from someone dealing or has dealt with this experience. I read about ketamine for sleeping from a previous post but it would more than like cause tachycardia as well.
Posted by Maria3667 on March 6, 2015, at 5:03:09
In reply to Re: TMS failure, posted by mckibbe on March 4, 2015, at 18:39:23
Well for starters, the cocktail of your meds doesn't make sense to me. It looks like a mix of 'uppers' and 'downers' together - and some might cancel each other's effect out. I'm surprised you 'only' gained 50 pounds on this cocktail, 'cause nearly every single one you mention can pack on the pounds (except Melatonine maybe).
For me, Trazodone and Abilify make anxiety & insomnia, tachycardia much worse! To me they feel like 'uppers'.
If you're looking to calm your senses, I would stick to Seroquel. On 400 mg before bedtime I would think the melatonin is unnecessary for sleep (but it probably won't harm anything).
I also tried TMS; effective for a few months, then peetered out all together. Then I switched to Seroquel - solely! On high dosages it pulls me through hard times. On a low dose (50 mg) I can get by in better times, with the odd benzo now and then...
Maria
Posted by babbler20 on March 12, 2015, at 23:27:54
In reply to Re: TMS failure, posted by mckibbe on March 4, 2015, at 18:39:23
Hi, TMS is a joke and didn't do anyting for me either so I can relate. I think the only responses to it are placebo based. I have tried every antidepressant available and the only thing that ever helped my depression was long-term exercise. After about 16 or 17 weeks of exercising for 35 minutes a day at 60 to 70 % of my max heart rate it started to make a difference. I took 16 weeks and no less. I felt no improvement before then. There was a Northwestern Study that outlines this exact protocol for depression and if you google Northwestern Exercise Study, you will find it.
Posted by bill west on March 27, 2015, at 4:32:49
In reply to Re: TMS failure, posted by mckibbe on March 4, 2015, at 18:39:23
IT worked for me, but in odd ways. It did improve my depression, however only for a few months, something happened in my personal life so i am not sure if it was situational or what. It helped with circular thinking, even though it is not at all indicated for this. Also one odd side effect is that I suddenly liked a few food I had previously hated. so odd. Also, I checked with many drs before doing this and found a marked difference in quality, and really it was shocking that almost anyone can buy this machine and not know much about it.
This is the end of the thread.
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