Had TMS before, this time was different

Wanted to share a portion of my story to maybe offer this group affirmation.

I actually underwent TMS therapy before several years ago at a facility that really had a robust program. I did over 36 sessions and got massive results from what was then seen as treatment-resistant depression. I was on a cocktail of drugs but was able to come off of them and just live normally for over 2 years. I touted TMS as a miracle. Despite minor headaches, I had no side effects. Everything that was “advertised”.

The second time I got TMS, I went to a new facility thanks to my health insurance. And yet everything changed. This one has left me with significant impairment and doctors truly puzzled on what even happened.

I’m proof that TMS can go wrong. That the placement of the coil, or how fast you dial up the motor threshold, or the machine, and some of these other variables *can and do* impact your brain. And what’s scary is you won’t know until it’s too late.

There were several noticeable differences between the facilities that, in hindsight, I wish I would have paid attention to. My gut felt off about it.

The TMS companies don’t want to take responsibility for providers making bad treatment choices or using their machines improperly, but also don’t support people like us when things go wrong so that the physicians can be trained better.

The whole thing is so sad. I wish all of us a sustainable and speedy path to recovery, or at least a quality of life that doesn’t feel so suffocating.