![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by bobbyswitchblade on November 9, 2003, at 16:15:04
I am volunteering for a trial of rTMS(repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation). I know it is harmless but I wonder if it is also useless. My symptoms are fatigue, emotional blankness, and trouble thinking straight.
Posted by Pfinstegg on November 14, 2003, at 0:32:35
In reply to Success with rTMS?, posted by bobbyswitchblade on November 9, 2003, at 16:15:04
I have had two successful experiences with TMS, given by a psychiatrist in private practice. It helps about 65% of the people who are given it. I was given high-frequency stimulation at 110% of the motor threshold- to the left frontal area. The initial course was 15 treatments, which produced a remission lasting four months. I had a booster series of six treatments in September (given twice daily, so it took only 3 days), which is still effective.. It is easy to take, lasts 20 minutes per session, and did not cause any side effects for me; you can just drive there, have it, and drive home, If you are in a trial, find out what the various treatment groups are (low frequency vs high, or vs ECT) and inform yourself about all of them before signing up. As to the type of depression, I also have a mixed, more on the atypical side. It helped a LOT, although I think nearly everyone who finds it helpful needs maintenance tretment.
Pfinstegg
Posted by bobbyswitchblade on November 14, 2003, at 23:13:11
In reply to Re: Success with rTMS? » bobbyswitchblade, posted by Pfinstegg on November 14, 2003, at 0:32:35
Thank you for your response, it is encouraging. I can't tell you as much as I'd like about the specifics of the treatment. I can tell you that the current they are using is targeting a specific area of the brain in the frontal region but I don't know what frequency they are using or what region is being targeted specifically. The doctor I spoke to didn't go into any great detail about it or supply me with any in-depth reading material but I plan on getting as much out of him as I can if he's not too busy golfing or polishing his bust of Freud. Also, I want to ask you if you needed any meds to maintain and if you made a full recovery or if you still had some lingering symptoms. Let me know if you have the time, thanks again and I'm glad you are doing well.
Posted by Pfinstegg on November 16, 2003, at 21:06:03
In reply to rTMS, posted by bobbyswitchblade on November 14, 2003, at 23:13:11
Hi! I do need to have "booster" TMS about ev ery 4-6 months, at least that has been the case so far. I was also taking Lexapro until recently, but this month have not needed it. I do have on-going psychotherapy, which has been a wonderful help in dealing with the childhood abuse issues which I believe caused the MDD which I have had in adult life. So I am basically doing some of everything! It is so wonderful to not be suicidal and unable to get out of bed- the way I was a year ago. Do find out everything you can about your particular protocol before you sign up- it's your right to know.
Pfinstegg
Posted by bobbyswitchblade on November 16, 2003, at 23:22:21
In reply to Re: rTMS » bobbyswitchblade, posted by Pfinstegg on November 16, 2003, at 21:06:03
Thanks again. You advize me to find out exactly what type of protocol they're using and I intend to, but I don't have any frame of reference. From what you know, what is the most effective protocol specifically?
Posted by Pfinstegg on November 16, 2003, at 23:38:29
In reply to Specifics?, posted by bobbyswitchblade on November 16, 2003, at 23:22:21
The type of TMS being used by the few doctors who use it in private practice is high-frequency. Studies I read about at NIH and Chicago were comparing high and low frequencies, and, at Chicago, TMS vs. ECT. I believe that at Yale they are exploring intensity levels which can cause seizures. As you know, people get randomized into one of the treatment protocols once they agree to be in the study. You can't choose which protocol you think might be best. I think your research physician should give you written information, with references so you can read more yourself, about each of the protocols. For example, you might not want to get ECT instead of TMS, but that could happen if you enter the study at the University of Chicago.
The only type of treatment I know anything about is the high frequency, as it's what I was given; the doctors gave me a lot of information about it, and encouraged me to become fully informed before they treated me. Good luck! - let us know what you decide to do, and how it goes.
Pfinstegg
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Alternative | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.