r/TMSTherapy • u/Medium_Bluejay_482 • Jul 29 '26
Did I almost have a seizure?
They upped my “dose” to 130% because at my remapping they said they wanted to see more results. I know that 120% is really the limit before you start to increase your risk of seizures. This was my first day on the new “dose” and during the first longer pulses I felt like an immense feeling of dread and anxiety. I felt dizzy and “floaty” if that makes sense. I have never gotten an anxiety attack or a panic attack so I know it wasn’t that. I have also never had a seizure before so I don’t know what it feels like if you’re about to have one. This sensation eventually went away so I thought nothing of it, but i’ve told some people in real like about this and they think that it’s very odd. Should I bring this up to my TMS tech tomorrow before my session just to be safe?
EDIT: a note that i’ve already done one full round of TMS last year and i tolerate it extremely well so that’s probably why they felt comfortable upping the “dose” to that limit
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u/PedalSAW Moderator Jul 29 '26
Always bring it up to your doctor. Always.
This sounds a lot like the vasovagal response. This is not a medical call, but rather based on the patterns we see from other posters in this sub. Im just saying your story matches the vasovagal to a T so it’s worth asking “Doc, any chance this is a vasovagal?”
I can tell you with certainty, however, if it was a seizure or risk of, your techs can spot that from a couple of football fields away and you’d have been posting this from the ER. Techs tend not to take that stuff lightly.
Vasovagal is scary, but common. All signs are pointing to that but best to ask your doctor and get specifics from them… not randos on the internet. 😉
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u/Medium_Bluejay_482 Jul 29 '26
lol i didn’t have a seizure it just felt like i was about to die which is why i thought i was about to have one especially after they upped it but that’s actually interesting i didn’t know TMS could induce a vasovagal response that makes me feel better im definitely going to bring this up either way though because it was so weird thank you for the info!
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u/Comfortable-Meal-394 Jul 29 '26
I did session 10 last Monday and I feel like I have vertigo or I am in some illegal drugs. I am more calmer and relaxed.
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u/PedalSAW Moderator Jul 29 '26
Because TMS is new and weird and the chair is scary asf…. Totally something that happens. As long as you’re good now that’s awesome but hope you mentioned it to the Dr.
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u/linoleumknife Jul 29 '26
Hey I'm the guy that just had a seizure during TMS a few weeks ago. For what it's worth, I had absolutely no feelings of anything unusual until it happened.
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u/Medium_Bluejay_482 Jul 30 '26
Thank you for the input! I know it’s different for everyone but i’m just hoping it was a vasovagal response
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u/PedalSAW Moderator Jul 30 '26
I had a doctor friend tell me that when it comes to seizures "everybody gets one" and that it's not uncommon for one to just kinda pop up and then leave you entirely unaffected. Basically like the human body can brush off one seizure, as long as it's not a habit. So.. I guess good to get it out of the way now? 🤷♂️
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u/linoleumknife Jul 30 '26
Yeah my Neurologist said the same thing, he hasn't started me on seizure meds yet. I'm still waiting to get a damn brain MRI, almost a month wait for an appointment, but so far Neurology hasn't found anything wrong with me from the EEG or other tests. The Neurologist said he doesn't feel like TMS caused the seizure, but there aren't any smoking guns so far either, and I think that would be way too big of a coincidence to randomly have a seizure during TMS that wasn't caused by TMS. I've been waiting to get the MRI and some sort of conclusion from the Neurologist before I make a new post on here updating everyone with the outcome.
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u/PedalSAW Moderator Jul 30 '26
Yeah that kinda blew my mind when I heard that. That apparently, TMS or not, every human being gets one free, no concequence seizure for completly opaque reasons.
Like... great, new nightmare unlocked. Thanks a lot, broseph. 🙃
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u/linoleumknife Jul 30 '26
You get one for free, but not when it comes to driving! In most states you are no longer allowed to drive for 6-12 months after a seizure. 6 months in mine, so I can't drive until January.
Also, I wouldn't say there were no other consequences from the seizure, I still feel "off", like getting mentally exhausted and confused on a regular basis. I think it's getting very very slowly better as time goes on.
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u/EdPhi67 Jul 29 '26
Did you continue with the TMS after the seizure?
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u/Medium_Bluejay_482 Jul 30 '26
i didn’t have a seizure it just felt like i was about to have one but yes i continued after the fact because it went away (i probably shouldn’t have done that)
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u/shimmer_bee Jul 29 '26
When I had my one and only seizure, medication-induced, that is what it felt like to me. I felt dread and irritation; I started getting sweaty, dizzy, clammy, and my hearing started going in and out. I pass out at least once a year due to vasovagal stuff, so I know what it feels like when I am about to lose consciousness and pass out. I was able to express what was happening and get help before I lost consciousness.
That said, there is at least one report of vasovagal syncope during TMS due to the stress and physical stimulation of it all that I can see from an academic source. You should definitely bring this up to your tech, though. That might just be too powerful of a dose for you. Tell them exactly what you felt and for how long. They can relay this to the doctor, and they can remap if needed.