“Before I started TMS, I was worried that there were no options left for me treatment-wise. I wasn’t responding to medication as well as I would have liked and was desperate to try anything to feel better. When I first started TMS treatment, I didn’t notice much of a difference, but something changed around the 4th week. A month after I finished TMS, I started to feel better than I have in years. Now, five months later, I feel like a totally different person. My life has changed completely and I’m finally able to pursue my passions that were muted by depression for so long I finally feel like I’m living rather than just surviving.” Depression score before TMS 25/27, after 4/27.
“My first experience with TMS, to be honest, was teeth rattling and thumb/hand shaking. I was thinking that this is too strong a stimuli for what it should accomplish. The 4 seconds of rapping on the brain seemed much longer. However, after adjusting for proper placement the rapping became more bearable and with 30 seconds to prepare each time for the next round it became tolerable. So went the next 5 weeks of treatment with each time somewhat better than before in that I became first accepting then hopeful that this rather strong action must be affecting the area of my brain in a positive manner. In observing my progress, I first came in under a cloud of depression. By the end of the procedure I definitely noticed that the sad issues I was dealing with were no longer taking up my entire day. In fact, I was for the first time in a very long time, able to actually think and plan for my future. The overbearing cloud had lifted and I didn’t feel so oppressed anymore. I was able to deal with issues in a much clearer way and the sadness was replaced by a glimmer of hope. To me, it’s not the panacea to treating depression, but a major part in lifting that cloud you have over your head so you may begin thinking more clearly. I highly recommend this treatment to all who continue to suffer with depression when medicine does not work any longer. Depression score before TMS 12/27, after 3/27.
“Around the third week I woke up and just sat in my room. I was afraid to leave the room since I hadn’t felt this good in such a long time. So, I just sat there to enjoy feeling good. Now that I’m no longer depressed, I am engaging in life again. TMS has allowed me to do the psychotherapy and make the life changes to thrive again. The TMS experience was totally painless and Erin and I listened to grunge music during my treatment! Dr. Pejic and the Atlas staff had the utmost concern for my wellbeing during the entire process and even checked up on me after. I’m continuing to feel better every day and I totally believe that it was TMS that was able to help me feel like my normal self again after battling mental illness for over 15 years. I’m not taking any antidepressants and I feel amazing!” Depression score before TMS 21/27, after 2/27
TMS+YOU is an online community and national patient advocacy site for TMS Therapy. Those considering Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation can connect with patients who have had the treatment to answer questions, share insights, and get the latest information.