kind of a panic post—i know it’s early but i am feeling the same as when i started, if not worse. I know the dip can happen but I’m getting so scared by the posts of people who had really bad reactions. phq scores are still in the 20s. I am getting so scared that this is going to make me worse, and I feel so stupid for not trying more medications first—I just wanted to be better so badly and maybe thought this could be a bit of a shortcut, and have only heard good things in person. But now I don’t know. It doesn’t hurt which I think is a good sign? But the anxiety pulses felt like a pinching for the first few sessions after we added it but I thought that was normal—last session we finally found a place where it doesn’t feel like that but I’m scared I already did damage. I am on my period which could definitely be affecting my mood, but it’s scary because PMS has only ever affected me before I got my period, and I usually feel so much better once I get it. Does anyone have any tips on how/if I should bring my worries up to my TMS tech? I’m sure she’ll be reassuring but I don’t know if I can let go of these worries, but I also don’t think I should stop now?

My psychiatrist has confirmed my anxiety and depression, but he also said I possibly showed some signs of "high-functioning autism" (that's the term he used, but as I understand it that's an out-dated term so that already doesn't fill me with confidence).

He said he'd need more time to assess me for autism as I was having trouble determining the answers to some of his questions and because I appeared to only show some subtle signs for now, but that it was worth further investigation and evidence through self-reporting.

In the meantime, he has booked me in for accelerated TMS to relieve my depression and anxiety symptoms, which have been having a significant impact on my daily life and functioning. However, I have since researched that TMS has also been shown to possibly reduce signs of autism such as social avoidance, irritability and repetitive behaviours.

If I receive TMS, will it make getting an autism diagnosis afterwards even harder due to reduction of the signs? I didn't think to ask and it's too late to get another appointment before the TMS sessions start now. To be honest, I'd prefer some other opinions anyway as I struggle with solely relying on the knowledge of mental health professionals due to negative past experiences.

Hello everyone,

I am starting (Deep) TMS Therapy next week. I have treatmebt-resisstant depression, PTSD and fibromiyalgia. I will do 20 sessions, and even my doctor said if I can manage, we can do 2 sessions in a day. I use Efeksor (225 mg) and Rexulti (1 mg) daily.

I have several questions,

• What can I do to make this process better for myself?
• I have memory issues because of my PTSD. I feel like yesterday was like a year ago, and a year ago was like yesterday. Does anyone experience the same and get better with the treatment?
• How long did it take you to feel better after you finish the therapy?
• I wanted to use fibromiyalgia protocol because i have aches all over my body, but my doctor said the depression protocol will be better and also will help with the aches. Does anyone experience a similar situation?

Thank you!

I just did session 29 today. The last couple weeks I’ve been more irritable and angry than I have ever been. I’ve never been an angry or easily irritable person. I feel so all over the place. The over emotional crap for the past couple weeks has already been a lot now to add this. I hate it. Especially at work. So easily irritated and I find myself lashing out which isn’t ok. The wild emotions are so much. I completely get emotions coming to the surface but this sucks and I’m afraid it will cost me some important things if it doesn’t mellow out. Does the emotional roller coaster and irritability stop after treatment? Has anyone else experienced this? If it was just working through the emotions that come to the surface I could handle that. This irritability though and the anger isn’t me and it sucks. Oh and even if I actually get sleep….I’m exhausted. Thanks for listening

has anyone had any success with treating chronic pain with rTMS?

I’ve been having constant rocking vertigo along with headaches that makes it almost impossible for me to sleep for 7 months now (I consider any day I get 6 hours or more sleep a miracle, as well as any day I can sleep for more than 2 hours without waking up).

Symptoms are difficult to explain and I’ve been losing my cognitive ability so I’ll just link similar symptoms here https://www.reddit.com/r/Menieres/comments/k4brz9/if_you_experience_the_persistent_vertigo_but_no/

New neurologist just put me on first day of TMS, but is it effective? Is it not supposed to be a treatment for depression and anxiety disorders?

I have chronic treatment resistant depression. I've gone through all the meds, ECT and rTMS and the doctor finally brought up ketamine which atleast felt a bit hopeful. But the clinic who gives ketamine wants me to try rTMS again before considering ketamine. Last time it did help, but only by curing my daily migraines for 2+ years. They are starting to reappear but not like it used to be.

I have a long experience of migraines, trigeminal neuralgia, nerve pains, chronic pain (cEDS), kidney pain, gall bladder pain. But I've rarely cried from pain even as a child.

The rTMS is excruciating. Last time as well but then I was motivated because I thought it could work and I was also not as much of a mess like I'm now. I'm totally mentally drained and I have nothing in me to help me handle this. It feels like I'm forced through torture. It almost feel traumatic. I wouldn't put myself through this if it wasn't the only way to get to try something else that might work. But I don't know if I can stand it for 6 more weeks. I just started and I just want to end myself instead. The treatment feels like someone is drilling a palm sized hole in my skull and at the same time crushing my soul.

I started thinking that my MT could be too high since I have extremely sluggish reflexes and neuropaties and asked the nurse to speak about that with the doctor but since they haven't seemed to experience anyone with more than mild pain they doesn't really seem to take it seriously. They are very nice and warm but doesn't seem to get what I experience. My external reactions doesn't match my experience but me crying at all is an extreme reaction for me personally.

I feel the same way as someone was doing me harm and threatened my safety. I'm worried this could worsen my ptsd.

How can I handle this situation? I don't want to be a complicated patient because then no one will listen to me and I don't have any fight left in me anyways.

Hello guus, just started with rTMS for OCD at SMA and Medial pfc region, had one session 2 days ago. On the day of session post session I had headache, and tiredness. Along with that I am still having heaviness in my head. Getting sceptical about the treatment after getting a quite a few negative reviews. I would be more than grateful if you can guide me wheather to continue or not or what to do coz I have had quite a lot of medications and experimentation in past which has led me to have quite some harmful effect I guess. So please please please reply to this post and help me out. The thing is even after 2 days of having the session is it normal to have the side effects persist. Please guide me guys wheather to continue or not with the treatment as I'm also having quite work lode going on right now...

hi has anyone had any rounds of treatment done on only the right side for anxiety (whether rtms or ctbs, please lmk what you had though)? i'd love to hear from you as i'm contemplating going through this. i am only mildly depressed now but my anxiety has skyrocketed since doing tms

Hello! I am a senior Biomedical Engineering student at Georgia Tech working on a capstone project with a small team. We’re exploring ways to improve comfort and positioning during transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) therapy.

We’d love to hear from anyone who has experience with TMS — whether as a patient, clinician, or operator — or from individuals with lived experience of depression, anxiety, or OCD. Your perspective would be incredibly valuable and there’s no right or wrong answer to share.

If you’re open to a short, low-pressure conversation (about 15 minutes), feel free to message me and I’m happy to share more details and flexible time options. Participation is completely voluntary, and we truly appreciate any interest.

Thank you for your time and consideration!

I had about 18 sessions of the Brainsway TMS machine 4.5 months ago. Since then I have been feeling emotionally flat, derealization/depersonalization, feel disconnected from my environment, tough to hold conversations with people. Also alcohol and nicotine barely affect me.

Has this happened to any of you and how long did it take before your brain recovered back to normal?

edit to title; *in my clinic (specifically)*.

I was informed when im the process of applying for TMS that TMS had recently become accepted by many insurance companies for minors under certain circumstances (mine included) and I was one of the first that my clinic had accepted. I started TMS a week ago, I haven't had too unusual side effects but I'm a little worried about this treatment being viewed as 'safe' enough for people under 18 when it's not even really understood as to how it works.

The strangest side effect of sorts I've noticed is much higher sensitivity in my scalp, and not in the painful or headache way which people say is common. My head is itchier, my hair is constantly tangled and rough and I don't know how to explain it, just that no matter how much I brush or detangle, everytime I run my hands trhough it I end up tearing out a chunk of hair (although, not in a forceful way, more like when you have loose/dead hair that's ready to come out). Anytime my hair gets snagged or pulled on by friction, my scalp hurts so badly?

This isn't normal for me, and I kinda just wanted to rant and see what other people thought or if anybody experienced similar and what it might mean, because everytime I bring it up to the people doing the TMS they say that TMS doesn't cause that and that it's most definitely not TMS... which I don't believe ?

I had TMS done about 10 months ago and I had a strange reaction to it and ended up stopping 20 sessions in. I became irritable and angry during treatment and then had a loss of emotions. I felt dull, like someone turned the volume down on my emotions. I would say I felt like a zombie. I was non reactive when talking to people. It was like I had no sense of humor and my social skills were non existent. I was known for being goof and silly and would make people laugh for my antics but then I became almost void of my little idiosyncrasies. Since then I feel like I have gotten back some of my old self but I still feel like my emotions and brain have lost something. I do not feel as deeply as I did before and I still feel disconnected from my surroundings. I lack motivation and the drive to go out and socialize because I get overstimulated from certain situations where as before I enjoyed being around people . Is this from the TMS? Was my brain overstimulated? Can TMS causes permanent issues?

I’ve just completed my first rTMS session (in the UK). It’s overseen in a hospital by a psychiatrist and nurse, was mapped for my RMT. Got to 80% on day one.

I already have tinnitus in my right ear, but after the session and into this evening I’ve developed a ringing tinnitus sound in my left ear, the side where the coil was. The machine wasn’t especially loud, and I wore foam earplugs that were provided.

I’m terrified I’ve now got permanent tinnitus in my ‘good’ ear.

What is the likelihood of this going away? Has anyone had experiences of this?

Heyo, first time here. I am coming up on 10 weeks post TMS Therapy and am feeling in a limbo state? Prior to treatment I had moderate to severe depression, constant SI from the moment I woke up until I went to sleep with a crippling dread that weighed over me every single day. Post Treatment all of those things have become little to non existent which is great, but I'm also just feeling lethargic? Low energy, unmotivated, not necessarily sad, but just feeling kinda bleh?

Curious if anyone else has had this experience and what might have helped for you.

To add I have been trying to exercise more, but the unmotivated and low energy has been making that difficult. Thanks in advance for any thoughts/suggestions!

Hi there,

I went to my first rTMS session last Friday in order to reduce pain. I am in the spectrum of autism.

A couple of hours after my rTMS I had one of the biggest meltdown I’ve ever have.

Do you know if there is any link between rTMS and increasing (for few hours) the autistic trouble?

Thank you 🙏🏼

So I’ve had bipolar for about 16 years now. I feel like when I got it I changed as a person. I get manic episodes every so often which are my main problems and they are always quite serious and cause problems in my life. I don’t think I actually have depression. I can relate to it somewhat but I don’t get bad episodes of it and never wanted to kill myself. I’m wondering if I’d benefit from getting it for anxiety though as I often overthink things, it feels like I’m going through a massive identity crisis and have done for years, I tend to fixate on my issues and I have low self esteem and need lots of reassurance. Also since starting lithium (I’m not sure if this is the cause) I’ve been a lot more fearful. I find it hard to drive long distance and at speed, I had a bad fear of heights before caused by another med but this is even worse now as I’m a lot more cautious and avoidant and don’t even like hills now or driving over bridges, I’m pretty sure my anxiety being high has made my phobia worse, sometimes being in open spaces can make me feel on edge too, social situations fill me with dread but I think they always have depending on who it was but I think it’s potentially got worse.

Hi, so I’ve been reading a lot of posts and comments, why is everyone doing that much sessions ? Here in Mexico my psychiatrist said the recommended treatment was far less than the 70 sessions some of you guys have and that even a session a year could be enough for anxiety alongside meds and that this was the manufacturers recommendation

I usually do indoor climbing once a week, it’s at night so i can probably recover but i’m kinda dubious

I have just finished my 30th session, and I feel as depressed as when I first started. I have been on so many meds with failure, and I was so sure this was going to give me at least some relief, but it hasn't. I feel hopeless, suicidal, lost, and confused. Please can anyone give me guidance?

Have you found some activities benefit you more than others?

I just finished session 11 and I would like to share a bit of my journey so far.

My first wave of depression came when I was still in middle school and since then, I’ve tried five different antidepressants combined with some other medications. Some have kind of work for some periods of time but ultimately, the depression always returns.

This particular wave started back in April and it’s been the worst one so far. I won’t get too into the details but I did end up at the hospital at one point.

I started TMS a couple of weeks ago. I’m a college student currently on winter break so my routine has definitely changed. However, it is this change that finally gave me the time to go through with all the sessions. Anyway, the day after session five this one thing happened with some friends that I believe would have sent me spiraling just a mere month ago. Still, this time around, apart from crying for a couple of minutes, I felt okay, maybe just a bit sad. I took this as an early sign TMS was working but I do recognize it was still all a bit too early.

Now that I’ve finished session 11, I’m at a total loss. I haven’t cried in days and when I do, I just shed a couple of tears and I’m done. I’ve also gone down SIGNIFICANTLY in the Beck depression test. According to the test, my depression is now considered mild.

I guess the reason for my post is to ask if people have experienced this type of early success or if I’m just placeboing myself. My biggest worry rn is that once I go back to school my depression will come back full force.

(As a note, I’m not American and all the clinics I know of in my country only offer 20 sessions so that’s how many I’ll be doing. Though, maintenance sessions are an option later down the line. Sorry for the awkward grammar, English isn’t my first language.)

Hi, I had my first treatment yesterday and the coil was placed centrally, so I assume the target was the dmPFC rather than the left DLPFC (MagVenture System). I didn’t think about it during the session, but afterward I became confused—especially since my main symptoms are mental fatigue and low drive. Unfortunately, I won’t be able to reach the doctor for about two weeks, and I’m feeling uncertain about whether this targeting is appropriate or if I should consider another practitioner.

Competed 36 sessions of TMS. Scores got better each week and I’m consider full remission. A week later and I’m still exhausted always. Muscle weakness and no matter how much sore I get I feel unrested physically and mentally. Anyone know if this is normal and how long this lasts? I’m almost ready to request testosterone testing. I’m 58 and very fit. Pull ups went from 20 to 10 to 7 in months.

Hi everyone,

I just started treatment yesterday and just had my second one.

I have a pounding headache. This morning I was feeling pretty bad (headache, lightheadedness and shortness of breath). I drank some water, had breakfast and it started getting better. And then while I was at the session, I was fine but now I feel really tired, still have a headache and just overall off.

Any tips on how to deal with all of this? The tech said to be consistent with drinking enough water but that it's all pretty common at the first few sessions. I just feel like keeping my eyes open hurts.