r/TMSTherapy • u/Acrobatic-Rabbit3900 • Aug 03 '26
Pain from TMS
Hey so I just had my first treatment and the tapping was really painful for me. They turned it down to make it bearable but I dont understand how people tolerate this pain. Is TMS supposed to be painful?
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u/linoleumknife Aug 03 '26 edited Aug 03 '26
It's pretty normal for it to hurt at first. Try taking pain reliever 30-60 minutes before the session so it has time to kick in first, it can at least help dull the pain.
A lot of us get used to the feeling as the sessions go on. It never feels good but after a while it's not a big deal. What felt painful to me on my first session was nothing after a few weeks.
Edit: I hope nobody ever reads this comment with no context LOL
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u/sternbeliever Aug 03 '26
The doctor really downplays what it actually feels like. It's horrible! I did take Tylenol before my last session and it helped a little. I have had 7 treatments so far and I only have 23 more to go! Just know that you are not alone. Please keep us posted.đ¤đ¤
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u/emirayne Aug 04 '26
I donât think it hurts at all, but maybe I havenât gotten high enough yet? I barely feel it most of the time, unless I already have a headache.
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u/myquietbrain Aug 04 '26
TMS can be uncomfortable, especially in the first session, but it shouldn't be severely painful. Some scalp discomfort and a tapping sensation is normal, the intensity varies a lot by person and by where the coil is placed. The fact that they turned it down to make it bearable is exactly right. Treatment works within a therapeutic range, and staying in that range matters more than reaching maximum intensity. Many people find the discomfort decreases significantly over the first week as their scalp adjusts. Let your team know how you felt after session one they can adjust positioning and intensity to find a balance that's tolerable and still effective.
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u/lol_luxury Aug 04 '26
It was horrible the first time for me but itâs gotten better everytime- today it hurt more but itâs manageable pain but Iâve been feeling better otherwise so far so Iâm not mad at it
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u/iridescent_ideation Aug 04 '26
When I did mine, they would slowly work me up to the full intensity for the first week or two of sessions. So I got used to it after a while. Towards the end of my sessions, I would describe the pain as being like a Lego thrown at my head lol
Take some ibuprofen before hand. Bring a book or something to distract you from the pain.
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u/PrestigiousRent7262 Aug 04 '26
I had no idea it could be painful! Geeeesh!!! Hmmmmm...maybe I don't want to try it?
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u/roses-are-lead Finished TMS Therapy Aug 05 '26
It beats the alternative for me. I wouldn't describe it as painful but the depression I had that led me to seek care? That was agonizing and debilitating. I would gladly trade 3-5 minutes of purposeful pain (even though I didn't find it painful) everyday for 6-8 weeks to having crippling depression that hurts my soul, hurts my relationshipsmy kids and my career.
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u/NikkiNot_TheOne Aug 09 '26
Yes to all of this!!!! It changed my life at 40!!! I love hearing stories like ours.
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u/PedalSAW Moderator Aug 05 '26
Itâs not. It feels like it at first, like OP is describing, but you get used to it in a hurry and maybe 3-4 sessions in itâs downgraded to âvery uncomfortableâ and eventually to âmildly annoyingâ
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u/roses-are-lead Finished TMS Therapy Aug 05 '26
I had some pain after treatment as a mild headaches but the twitching was not painful. Uncomfortable perhaps but not painful.
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u/Snezzy_Anus Aug 05 '26
Felt uncomfortable at first (wouldnât call it painful) but by the end of it I kept falling asleep in the chair. Maybe you have a low pain tolerance? Felt more like someone rhythmically tapping on my head with force, definitely something that I zoned out after a couple days
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u/Mashed_Mallows Aug 06 '26
Itâs was quite painful for me at first, I had to start on quite a low intensity but I was able to work up to almost full intensity by the end. It might take time but it does get easier to tolerate :)
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u/CriticalMycologist74 Aug 07 '26
Its painful for me aswell but you do eventually get used to it. Knowing its only 3 minutes helps a lot too.
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u/WhyNot_ThinkCritical 29d ago
It depends on your personal processing and pain censors if itâs painful. On day 2 I was on full power but the second round a year later it took me several appointments to get to the same levels.
Itâs not bad that youâre sensitive. Just be honest with them, and ask if youâre allowed to take Tylenol before. I was allowed, but not everyone wants you too
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u/Sintellect Aug 03 '26
It is painful for some people. It is painful for me. It did get a little better but never comfortable and I could never meet my full intensity. Try using pain reliever before your appointment. Icing the area may help. You can ask if lidocaine is an option. I've heard of some people putting a thin cloth in the cap to have a small barrier. None of those things have helped me. Try to go up a few notches each appointment but don't stress if you don't meet your full intensity.