Changing meds

[Eve7]

Hope today is better for you @WIP  I am just processing pdoc’s recommendation that I get admitted on Tuesday 😢

💙💙💙💙

[WIP]

Oh, Eve @Eve7 

I didn't know that an hospital admission was on the cards. That must be tough to get your head around. Is it because of med changes? 
Do you know how long you'll be there?

Thinking of you, and understanding what you're feeling - it's tough going into hospital.

Sending love ❤️

[Eve7]

Med change will occur plus rTMS and maybe DBT. Minimum of 6 weeks but I haven’t agreed yet @WIP 

[WIP]

You do have a lot to think about @Eve7  Minimum 6 weeks is a big commitment and a long time in hospital.

Good Luck with you decision.  We'll all be here for you 

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Have you had rTMS before?  

[Eve7]

No, Ive only had ECT @WIP I don’t know how I feel about them playing with my brain while I’m awake.

[WIP]

Honestly, I'd chose TMS over ECT anyday @Eve7 

I've done a couple of rounds of TMS.  I was reserved at first and concerned just like you are, what it would be like being awake while something is going on with your brain - but you truely hardly don't feel much at all. And while it's happening you are comfortably sitting up in a lounge type chair, watching tv or listening to music.  Probably the most annoying thing, is the noise that the machine makes.  

It's just like a quick light tapping feeling on a specific position on your head for a certain amount of seconds in a row - then a break for a few minutes - then back to the tapping.  I can't remember how many sessions I had, but had to be in hospital for 4 weeks.  They only offer it as an inpatient treatment. 

Let me know if you have any questions about TMS, and I'll try to answer them for you.

[Eve7]

Thanks @WIP I’ve read the handout the GP gave me but apart from that I know nothing.

How many times a day did you have it? How did you feel after each session?

[Anastasia]

((((( @Eve7 ))))) 💙💚💛

[WIP]

I'm trying to remember how many times a day I had it, and I think it was either 1 or 2 @Eve7 and you have it 5 days per week.  Each session goes for about half an hour.

First, they do a 'reaction time' test (I don't know what it's proper name is) and measurement of your head to find out where they position the magnetic coil and the strength of the magnetic pulse that you can tolerate for the session. 

For the first few sessions you may have a little headache afterwards, but nothing like ECT headache. I didn't find it uncomfortable at all. I remember chilling back in the chair and just hoping something decent was on tv to watch.

I didn't realise notice any difference in my depression until the 3rd/4th week.  As an inpatient, there were therapy groups that I attended everyday, and I think the groups, in combination with the TMS and not going to work all helped the depressive episode I was having.

TMS didn't cure my depression, but helped for a few months until I had a big life changing situation, that set me back. 

[WIP]

@Eve7 

I described TMS to my family as a non invasive magnetic pulse that is going to give the nerve cells in my brain a kick start and wake them up, so I don't feel as depressed anymore.

And in simple terms, that's what it is

And it's effects lasted longer than a few months, prob between 6 & 9. I was still needing medication though. But as I said, something big in my life happened, so I went into a big depressive episode. Then I had a second round of TMS.