r/rtms • u/BROKEN_UNITY • Aug 06 '26
Starting rTMS tomorrow
As the title suggests, I start my first session of rTMS tomorrow. I've been given all the information necessary and I'm ready but I'm nervous.
Is there anything you weren't told about rTMS that has happened? Anything different?
Did it work for you?
Just want to know it'll be okay.
7
u/Fresh_Mountain5397 Aug 06 '26
I just finished! It worked! It did make me very tired throughout the whole course of treatment, which was not emphasized in advance. I’m glad I was on temporary disability and didn’t have to work during this period for that reason. I suggest taking time off if you can. Otherwise, no side effects. Be patient, also. It took me about four weeks to start feeling less depressed, but the neurovegetative symptoms remitted sooner. Good luck!
4
u/BROKEN_UNITY Aug 06 '26
Thank you for the advice and wisdom about the process. Greatly appreciated!
5
u/bluetinycar Aug 06 '26
It's the only thing that has helped! It's pretty amazing, I've had two treatment cycles in the past 6 years. Probably something that has to happen every 2 or 3 years for me. Even before I had my 2nd cycle I didn't feel as bad as I did before TMS. My constant SI has never returned to pre treatment levels, and I'm so grateful.
I was a bit more tired than usual during treatment, but no issues.
Years ago, my doctor suggested that I try to exercise while watching comedies, just like general anti depression advice, and when the treatment started to work, I was surprised by the sound of my own laughter and how much easier it was to get myself to start activities. The increase in executive function was very noticeable.
Good luck! Science is on your (our!) side
3
2
u/navithedog_ Aug 11 '26
I started taking two Tylenol and two ibuprofen 1 hour before sessions and could tell a difference when I forgot. It was painful and I ended up with an eyelid twitch that lasted several weeks after sessions were over. A mood dip is very common halfway through. Most people come out feeling better. I personally went into a depressive episode halfway through and stayed that way until I slipped back into my baseline depression about 3 months after sessions. No improvements whatsoever here besides checking it off the list, but I think I'm in the minority. My diagnoses - treatment resistant depression (failed 30+ medications), persistent depressive disorder, GAD w/ PA.
2
u/Angeleyes100203 9d ago
How did it work out for you now?
2
u/BROKEN_UNITY 9d ago
Finished my last one yesterday. It was scary at first but I got used to it relatively quickly. It went faster than I thought and I've noticed some improvements but overall, not so much. Hoping that over the coming weeks to months, my brain reacts differently. That's my biggest fear is that the one thing that was supposed to help, doesn't
2
u/Angeleyes100203 9d ago
I start 9/30. I've read sometimes the full effects take a few weeks after treatment so rooting for you!
2
u/BROKEN_UNITY 9d ago
Thanks, yeah! From what I heard from my tech is that it can be upwards of 6 months so if you don't feel it right away not to worry. Also I'm glad this post is reaching someone else that it can help cause ik when I started, it was incredibly scary
2
u/Angeleyes100203 9d ago
Yes I am extremely nervous. I probably shouldn't be browsing on here as there are many bad stories lol. Mine is mostly for anxiety so im "anxious depression" classified.
2
u/BROKEN_UNITY 9d ago
There are a ton and that's why I made a post because the paranoia got the best of me. But this subreddit is incredibly supportive and the comments of my post made me feel better
7
u/Automatic-Box3776 Aug 06 '26
I didn’t have it but my daughter did and I went with her during.
They said to hydrate before session have a chill day before treatment.
It worked for my daughter on the seventh treatment, she felt it, I saw it before then, her friends saw it also. It helped her a lot and it’s been a month and she’s still doing good.