![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 32 to 56 of 56. Go back in thread:
Posted by SLS on March 26, 2014, at 18:13:26
In reply to Re: Would you do TMS? Doing it anyway, posted by stargazer2 on March 26, 2014, at 14:45:50
> How about you? How do you deal with feeling so alone with an illness so many say they have but I know they don't exactly know what I'm dealing with.
I don't know.
Survival instinct?
I held on to hope that I would one day be treated successfully.
I truly believe that life is worth living when one is not imprisoned and suffocated by a crushing depression. I decided to take the gamble. I have gambled that my illness would be cured or brought into remission soon enough so that I could enjoy life in my remaining years. My remaining years are passing by all too quickly. Perhaps I have already lost the bet? I don't know.
I lived through my 30s in solitude. The only people I spoke to were my parents. No friends. No enemies. I was very fortunate that my parents believed that my illness was neurobiological, so I didn't have to be completely alone in life. My suffering was acknowledged, even if it wasn't well understood.
I take 7 drugs. I am perhaps 35% improved. It is worth it. I am improved enough to venture out of the house and maintain a few relationships. Still, I am reliant on hope to choose life over death. This is made easier by my being improved enough not to be plagued by neurobiological suicidal states.
- Scott
Posted by Dr. Bob on March 27, 2014, at 3:31:07
In reply to Re: Would you do TMS? Doing it anyway, posted by stargazer2 on March 26, 2014, at 14:45:50
> I still wish sometimes I could meet others who I have connected with and with whom I feel knowing them would help me better deal with this illness.
In case you haven't been to Social lately, Babblers might be meeting at various times in various places:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20140129/msgs/1061912.html
Bob
Posted by stargazer2 on March 31, 2014, at 18:09:55
In reply to Re: Would you do TMS? Doing it anyway » stargazer2, posted by SLS on March 26, 2014, at 18:13:26
SLS< I guess you are lucky to want to still live...that thought becomes farther and farther away the longer I am plagued with this illness. You can't explain something you don't even understand to those who do not suffer from it. They simply look at you and the confusion in their eyes tells the whole story .
My family are the least to try and understand or offer me any hope..they simply do not get it.
I am so alone. I welcome death everyday. I wish there was a way I could fulfill that wish to die especially as I do not see any improvement with TMS.
SG
Posted by SLS on March 31, 2014, at 21:25:11
In reply to Re: Would you do TMS? SLS, posted by stargazer2 on March 31, 2014, at 18:09:55
> SLS< I guess you are lucky to want to still live...
I guess I was blessed with optimism and resilience. Still, every man has his limits and breaking points.
I'm glad that you continue to connect with people by posting here. I think you will find support, understanding, and draw positive energy from others.
- Scott
Posted by babbler20 on April 3, 2014, at 20:36:31
In reply to Re: Would you do TMS? SLS, posted by stargazer2 on March 31, 2014, at 18:09:55
> SLS< I guess you are lucky to want to still live...that thought becomes farther and farther away the longer I am plagued with this illness. You can't explain something you don't even understand to those who do not suffer from it. They simply look at you and the confusion in their eyes tells the whole story .
>
> My family are the least to try and understand or offer me any hope..they simply do not get it.
>
> I am so alone. I welcome death everyday. I wish there was a way I could fulfill that wish to die especially as I do not see any improvement with TMS.
>
> SGHi, my family doesn't get it at all either. My mom is convinced that I can just think my way out of it and my father says things like "go for a walk around the block and you will feel better" and "Take a nice,hot shower." Are you noticing any improvement yet? Talk to you soon.
Posted by stargazer2 on April 3, 2014, at 21:17:12
In reply to Re: Would you do TMS? SLS, posted by babbler20 on April 3, 2014, at 20:36:31
At least someone talks to you that tries to understand even thou to you they are clueless. I wish severe depression, not the garden variety type, was everyone's affliction. Then they would get it. It has to be impacting their life to get it. Its as selfish as that
Posted by babbler20 on April 4, 2014, at 23:00:34
In reply to Re: Would you do TMS? babbler20, posted by stargazer2 on April 3, 2014, at 21:17:12
> At least someone talks to you that tries to understand even thou to you they are clueless. I wish severe depression, not the garden variety type, was everyone's affliction. Then they would get it. It has to be impacting their life to get it. Its as selfish as that
I agree with you. I'm 3 weeks into TMS and so far I haven't experienced any relief. How about you?
Posted by stargazer2 on April 6, 2014, at 10:43:37
In reply to Re: Would you do TMS? babbler20, posted by babbler20 on April 4, 2014, at 23:00:34
No improvement with TMS after 4 weeks, 20 treatments. Usually I would have expected some improvement before this point.
My pdoc just had me increase my Nardil from 15 mg to 75 mg to see if that would get me out of the suicidal thinking before the TMS has a chance to work. Unfortunately I will not know if it is the Meds or TMS that may work.
The story of my life. Uncertainty and dread.
Please send good wishes my way...I am desparate for help. What did I do to deserve a life like this? So many awful people live lives worth living (I think) and I have suffered too long with no end in sight for reasons unknown.
Posted by babbler20 on April 6, 2014, at 12:54:53
In reply to Re: Would you do TMS? babbler20, posted by stargazer2 on April 6, 2014, at 10:43:37
> No improvement with TMS after 4 weeks, 20 treatments. Usually I would have expected some improvement before this point.
>
> My pdoc just had me increase my Nardil from 15 mg to 75 mg to see if that would get me out of the suicidal thinking before the TMS has a chance to work. Unfortunately I will not know if it is the Meds or TMS that may work.
>
> The story of my life. Uncertainty and dread.
>
> Please send good wishes my way...I am desparate for help. What did I do to deserve a life like this? So many awful people live lives worth living (I think) and I have suffered too long with no end in sight for reasons unknown.I really hope TMS works for you. From what I've heard, it takes 4 weeks on average to work. Since we aren't average cases, I would assume it may take 6 to 8 weeks. If you get better, I'm going to assume it's the TMS because I don't have all that much faith in antidepressants. Best of luck to you. Let me know how you are doing in a week or so and I'll update you on my status as well. Take care.
Posted by babbler20 on April 11, 2014, at 16:08:16
In reply to Re: Would you do TMS? babbler20, posted by stargazer2 on April 6, 2014, at 10:43:37
> No improvement with TMS after 4 weeks, 20 treatments. Usually I would have expected some improvement before this point.
>
> My pdoc just had me increase my Nardil from 15 mg to 75 mg to see if that would get me out of the suicidal thinking before the TMS has a chance to work. Unfortunately I will not know if it is the Meds or TMS that may work.
>
> The story of my life. Uncertainty and dread.
>
> Please send good wishes my way...I am desparate for help. What did I do to deserve a life like this? So many awful people live lives worth living (I think) and I have suffered too long with no end in sight for reasons unknown.Hi Stargazer,
I jut finished my 20th treatment, but haven't noticed any improvement yet. How are you doing? Any improvement on your end?
Posted by stargazer2 on April 12, 2014, at 13:33:33
In reply to Re: Would you do TMS? babbler20, posted by babbler20 on April 11, 2014, at 16:08:16
Hi Babbler, I completed the 25th treatment this past Friday and showed some improvment in my depression after the 21st treatment, although Nardil 75 mg was added about the same time so it's
hard to say it is exclusively the TMS or the medication but in either case, I am feeling better so that is positive.I hope you begin to feel better too. Are you on any meds. If so, which ones at which doses.
They say when you are on TMS, meds can start to work better so it may make sense to try and add a med that might have had some effect no matter how
insignificant a response. Have you ever tried a MAO i.e. Nardil , Marplan or Parnate?
Posted by babbler20 on April 15, 2014, at 17:42:19
In reply to Re: Would you do TMS? babbler20, posted by stargazer2 on April 12, 2014, at 13:33:33
> Hi Babbler, I completed the 25th treatment this past Friday and showed some improvment in my depression after the 21st treatment, although Nardil 75 mg was added about the same time so it's
> hard to say it is exclusively the TMS or the medication but in either case, I am feeling better so that is positive.
>
> I hope you begin to feel better too. Are you on any meds. If so, which ones at which doses.
>
> They say when you are on TMS, meds can start to work better so it may make sense to try and add a med that might have had some effect no matter how
> insignificant a response. Have you ever tried a MAO i.e. Nardil , Marplan or Parnate?Hi, I'm so glad you are feeling bettter. I just completed my 22nd treatment and still haven't noticed any difference in depression or sleep. I take 100 mg of Luvox currently and have tried everything else. I'm still on Luvox because the withdrawal is horrible. I tried Parnate once and at 100 mg it was amazing for depression, but I couldn't take the insomnia anymore, so I got off of it. I hope you continue to improve. Talk to you soon.
Posted by stargazer2 on April 15, 2014, at 18:11:08
In reply to Re: Would you do TMS? babbler20, posted by babbler20 on April 15, 2014, at 17:42:19
Babbler,
Is your treeatment covered by insurance? Mine was denied and i have to appeal the denial.
If Parnate was so amazing, why wasn't a solution for the insomnia looked at rather than giving up on amazing med for depression. I am having sleep related issue with Nardil but feel that it is too risky to give up and sink back into the suicidal black hole without it, sleep issues or not.
MAOs are the only meds than make any dent in the depression and I can't take the risk of relapsing even with some side effects, like insomnia and solmnolence.
Thoughts for you having a response very soon.
Posted by babbler20 on April 17, 2014, at 21:27:51
In reply to Re: Would you do TMS? babbler20, posted by stargazer2 on April 15, 2014, at 18:11:08
> Babbler,
>
> Is your treeatment covered by insurance? Mine was denied and i have to appeal the denial.
>
> If Parnate was so amazing, why wasn't a solution for the insomnia looked at rather than giving up on amazing med for depression. I am having sleep related issue with Nardil but feel that it is too risky to give up and sink back into the suicidal black hole without it, sleep issues or not.
>
> MAOs are the only meds than make any dent in the depression and I can't take the risk of relapsing even with some side effects, like insomnia and solmnolence.
>
> Thoughts for you having a response very soon.Hi, Blue Shield is covering all my treatments. I've almost completed 5 weeks of treatment and feel nothing, however. Unfortunately, the only thing that alleviates my insomnia is remeron and it's contraindicated with Parnate. Do you know anyone else that got TMS? Did they benefit from the procedure?
Posted by stargazer2 on April 18, 2014, at 7:34:43
In reply to Re: Would you do TMS? babbler20, posted by babbler20 on April 17, 2014, at 21:27:51
Did you try Trazadone for insomnia? I would rather be a sleep deprived zombie than someone with the type of depression I have. I guess it's all what you can tolerate, depression or insomnia.
My dpression is life threatening so there is no comparison with what gets my precedence.I know a woman who wrote a book called " 7000 pulses" after her experience with depression and TMS. You can probably google it at Amazon if you want to read her story. She had success after 19 TMS treatments and goes for maintenence every month or so to maintain her stability and to prevent relapse.
I finish my 30 treatments today and then begin a taper, 3 times a week, followed by 2 times then once for the next 3 weeks.
Stargazer
Posted by kirkglen on April 26, 2014, at 16:02:24
In reply to Re: Would you do TMS? babbler20, posted by stargazer2 on April 18, 2014, at 7:34:43
Stargazer
I never read if TMS helped or not for you.
I read your post on ending life as depression was to much.
I don't know how to measure but I assure you I've been in the deepest black hole I think one could go.
I sat there trying numerous psycho drugs which just added to my demise.Then I was in my teens and had "hope" and I was given Nardil. After 6 wks. at 90 mgs. my brain started working in overdrive. Life was great , I was normal. Then as you know the formula was changed and "the day I received the new formula" life returned to the black hole. Now I'm a age hope isn't there. I've run out of money, can't work, etc. but instead of believing in the pharms I read and have started asking myself why AD's work. No one knows, just theories. Like I said I take Nardil and I know you have to have neurotransmitters for it to work. So why not start assuring I have the ingredients to make them and then maybe Nardil will kick in again. I know as we age serotonin levels decrease.
Anyway currently I'm taking 60mg Nardil AM and washing down with 8 oz. of diet Sprite and drink the rest during the day. ( 16 ozs daily ) It "feels" as though I'm getting some positive results with the aspartame. If I continue feeling better I'll get some Liquid Amino Acids next week and start easing into adding them to my system.
Bottom line I'll keep searching, trying, as I believe we have a better chance of finding something for the other atypical depressed people. I have three children and I suspect the genetic side of illness.
So you hang in there and get your Nardil back to
60mg. Keep searching see where others are having some success.
Posted by stargazer2 on April 28, 2014, at 7:54:41
In reply to Re: Would you do TMS? babbler20, posted by kirkglen on April 26, 2014, at 16:02:24
Hi kirkglen. I'm on NArdil 75 and ending TMS after 30 sessions. I am no longer suicidal so that is a relief but still feel depressed at times. I'm in the maintenance phase, 3 times a week, followed by 2 times a week then once.
I have paid about 10K so far. Insurances vary as far as their coverability goes. Medicare pays the least since I am disabled and most desparate then others covered completely as Anthem BCBS does.Thanks for your good thoughts.
Posted by kirkglen on April 28, 2014, at 10:54:24
In reply to Re: Would you do TMS? babbler20, posted by stargazer2 on April 28, 2014, at 7:54:41
Stargazer
I forgot to mention I also take 1mg Klonipin in the evening.
Since starting the aspartame I wake up feeling pretty good where as before I'd be totally down until the Nardil started working.
I'm not going to lie and say everything is wonderful but at least I'm feeling "hope" again.
Posted by Lambert on June 16, 2015, at 18:38:16
In reply to Re: TMS/MRI and depression? » johnLA, posted by Hugh on February 1, 2014, at 16:53:55
In Northern California there's also http://restoreneuro.com. Many consider Dr. Schneider to be THE guy for rTMS.
LT
> Hi John,
>
> UCLA has one, and I know you have connections there.
>
> https://www.facebook.com/uclaanxietydisorders/posts/10151885414768098
>
> But the only readily accessible one I know of in California is here:
>
> http://www.siliconvalleytms.com
>
> If I read about any more Deep TMS units in LA, I'll let you know. Shouldn't be too much longer.
>
>
>
Posted by Lambert on June 16, 2015, at 18:39:20
In reply to Re: TMS/MRI and depression? » johnLA, posted by Hugh on February 1, 2014, at 16:53:55
In Northern California there's also http://restoreneuro.com. Many consider Dr. Schneider to be THE guy for rTMS.
LT
> Hi John,
>
> UCLA has one, and I know you have connections there.
>
> https://www.facebook.com/uclaanxietydisorders/posts/10151885414768098
>
> But the only readily accessible one I know of in California is here:
>
> http://www.siliconvalleytms.com
>
> If I read about any more Deep TMS units in LA, I'll let you know. Shouldn't be too much longer.
>
>
>
Posted by SLS on June 16, 2015, at 20:49:08
In reply to Re: TMS/MRI and depression?, posted by Lambert on June 16, 2015, at 18:39:20
> > If I read about any more Deep TMS units in LA, I'll let you know. Shouldn't be too much longer.
I wish I could remember where I saw it, but there was a paper that suggested that deep TMS did more harm than good. I'll try to find it. It might be worth doing a little more research on this. Besides, I haven't seen any studies comparing dTMS to rTMS. How do we know dTMS is any more effective? I would love to see some work in this area. I intend to go for TMS, but I haven't decided which one yet.
- Scott
Posted by Hugh on June 17, 2015, at 11:22:17
In reply to Re: TMS/MRI and depression?, posted by Lambert on June 16, 2015, at 18:38:16
JohnLA eventually found a Deep TMS clinician in Manhattan Beach. He wrote this very informative thread about his experiences with Deep TMS.
Posted by Hugh on June 17, 2015, at 22:15:02
In reply to Re: TMS/MRI and depression?, posted by SLS on June 16, 2015, at 20:49:08
Scott,
If you decide to try regular TMS rather than Deep TMS, you might want to find a clinician who does priming stimulation. This appears to significantly enhance the effectiveness of TMS.
Posted by SLS on June 17, 2015, at 23:48:33
In reply to Re: TMS/MRI and depression? » SLS, posted by Hugh on June 17, 2015, at 22:15:02
> If you decide to try regular TMS rather than Deep TMS, you might want to find a clinician who does priming stimulation. This appears to significantly enhance the effectiveness of TMS.
>
> http://www.chrysalistms.com/south-florida-tms-alternative-treatment-depression-dr-marsella-psychiatrist.htmlThanks.
I am looking at low-frequency right side. I'll keep the priming technique in mind.
- Scott
Posted by Meltingpot on July 8, 2015, at 9:51:13
In reply to Re: Would you do TMS? babbler20, posted by babbler20 on April 4, 2014, at 23:00:34
Hi,
I tried rTMS in Vancouver years ago and it had no effect on me, mindyou I wasn't particularly depressed at the time, my antidepressants were helping. I think they are using deep rTMS now which might be better.
Having said that I tried ECT which didn't work for me.
Denise
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.