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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by BING0 on May 26, 2009, at 19:13:22
Hi,
I have suffered from chronic depression for 8+ years and have been through the gamut of meds with only minor improvements from time to time from various different combinations.
I have been closely watching the clinical studies and FDA approval of TMS treatment for depression. It is a non-invasive treatment which uses highly focused, pulsed magnetic fields to stimulate function in targeted areas of the brain. It recently was cleared by the FDA in October of '08.
It has been branded as Neurostar. Two hospitals here in DC recently purchased the machines and have begun offering treatments. It's non-invasive and has no known side effects, so I am more than willing to give it a try. The catch? PRICE.
The treatment generally takes three weeks, which are one hour treatments for 15 days. I was quoted a price of $9,000 to cover the hospital and doctor costs. YIKES!
My question is... Has anyone here on the boards had this treatment and be willing to share their results or thoughts?
Thanks. :)
Posted by Mimi Snyder on June 1, 2009, at 21:47:19
In reply to Neurostar TMS treatment for depression - anyone?, posted by BING0 on May 26, 2009, at 19:13:22
Hi there,
I have about the same history, severe treatment resistant depression - about 8 years now. So fatigued and sleepy, I usually need an additional drug like Provigil or Concerta, something for thyroid - again for energy.
SO - my doctor recommended me to the UT Health Science Center San Antonio "Be Well" clinic and I was accepted into a study for irTMS - the evolved treatment: i= image directed robotic arm/r= rapid/TMS.
I STARTED TODAY! I am writing in my blog to share with my fibromyalgia support group what it is like:
http://marianpaul.blogspot.com/I asked the doctor today how the US is going with treatment since Canada and Europe has done it since the 1990's. She said what you said, but told me that anyone should appeal to their medical insurance to cover it with doctor recommendation.
Take care,
Marian
Posted by twinleaf on June 13, 2009, at 9:11:50
In reply to Neurostar TMS treatment for depression - anyone?, posted by BING0 on May 26, 2009, at 19:13:22
In DC, you could consult Dr. Sinan Dusyurek, who is offering it in private practice and may be a bit less expensive. A few insurance companies are covering it, although most are not as yet. If you decide to try it, you can download a form from Neurostar which is designed to help speed up insurance company coverage,
I have had TMS in the past, and found it very, very helpful. The good effects did not last more than a few months, though. Presently, I'm doing well with therapy, and do not feel that I need it, but if my depression worsened, I would definitely have it again. It does some wonderful things for depressed brains- like increase the blood flow in your left hemisphere and activate the neurons there (the left hemisphere is the more hopeful, problem-solving side of the brain), and damp down the over-activity of the HPA axis and the amygdala in the limbic system. So it really takes aim at the crucial things which have gone wrong physiologically in major depression.
If you are suffering from severe depression, this is well worth a try.
Posted by Mimi Snyder on June 13, 2009, at 15:02:42
In reply to Re: Neurostar TMS treatment for depression - anyon, posted by twinleaf on June 13, 2009, at 9:11:50
I wonder if you could tell me, what is the treatment you had that lasted a few months? The TMS I get in the treatment is 30 or 40 cycles a second for 4 seconds, for 75 trains- so about 36 minutes of treatment and I go 5 days a week for 2 weeks now. One more week concludes the study (3 weeks total) and then if I show significant benefit, which I already do, then they will provide 3 more weeks of treatment. I was really hoping for 6 mos-1 year of relief.
Posted by twinleaf on June 13, 2009, at 17:56:41
In reply to Re: Neurostar TMS treatment for depression - anyon, posted by Mimi Snyder on June 13, 2009, at 15:02:42
I think you have a good chance of getting a much longer remission than I did, especially if you include some medication and therapy afterwards. I had it "off-label" several years ago, with a more primitive form of the machine- it was about a 30 minute treatment for 15 days. Very helpful, but not too long-lasting. I think the new Neurostar machine gives a more intense current. Good luck!
Posted by BING0 on June 14, 2009, at 18:46:00
In reply to Re: Neurostar TMS treatment for depression - anyon » Mimi Snyder, posted by twinleaf on June 13, 2009, at 17:56:41
Thanks to the both of you for your insight and info. Mimi I hope your treatment is going well. I just checked out your blog and I hope to follow your response to the treatment.
Twinleaf, thanks fore the info on the doctor. I am going to look into some more info tomorrow on him.
Best wishes.
This is the end of the thread.
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