TLDR: I was severely depressed, I got TMS, now I'm not depressed.
If you are SUICIDAL, call 1-800-273-8255 for help.
Update 9/18/22: I WROTE A BOOK ABOUT MY MENTAL HEALTH
More info here: • Silly Depressed. I wro...
Kindle: tinyurl.com/nw...
Paperback: tinyurl.com/3z...
I feel a need to mention- I'm not making any money on these videos and no one asked me to make them. I know the videos show ads, but I don't have control over that. The reason I made these videos is because it's the kind of information I would have found helpful while I was looking for treatment. I'm just trying to be helpful.
(2/21/19 update! • 4 & 1/2 months post TM... )
(11/22/19 update • Second time getting TM... --- I got TMS again)
This is me just before starting TMS (transcranial magnetic stimulation), at 3 weeks of treatment, 7 weeks of treatment, and then four weeks post treatment. Before and throughout treatment, I sought out testimonials from others. It was comforting to me. I wanted to pay it forward.
The TMS worked and my PHQ-9 score went from 23 (out of 27) to 0 in a matter of 8 weeks. My treatment plan started with 6 weeks every day Monday - Friday, but we extended it to 8 weeks after a remapping revealed that I needed a higher prescription.
More info about my depression...
Symptoms: lack of motivation, maladaptive daydreaming, morbid thoughts, brain fog, repetitive uncomfortable thoughts (like OCD), loss of appetite, feeling worthless and like I'm only a burden.
About me: 35, stay-at-home wife and mother, otherwise healthy, lifelong depression sufferer.
Other treatments tried before TMS: All sorts of drugs, acupuncture, gluten-free diet, whole30 diet, quitting caffeine and alcohol, neurofeedback, EMDR and hypnotherapy for bad memories, talk therapy, exercise. All of these things had their benefits, but none of them were sufficient.
Received TMS at Cascade TMS in Portland, OR with a Neurostar machine. (Loved my doctor and staff at this location. Highly recommend.) It was "rTMS" (repetitive TMS as opposed to deep TMS). I asked the technician about the difference and she said that there's no significant difference- the whole "deep TMS" thing is more like a marketing tactic. Anyway, don't get hung up on rTMS vs. dTMS.
I'd love to answer questions and offer encouragement, so please don't hesitate to leave a comment!