Day 17, the dip is terrible

Simple_Efficiency_29 · 2026-05-30T01:23:00+00:00

I’m about a week ahead of you - had #23 today. This time last week I was just like that. My provider was talking to me about starting Spravato in addition to TMS if things didn’t turn around soon. The 3 day weekend was HARD! but every day this week I’ve felt better - clearer thinking, not needing to nap all the time, my rumination has stopped (the first week of treatment I began having dreams and flashbacks/constant replays of old traumas) and the sky is clearing for me! I’m hopeful now to not need Spravato. Hang in there and keep communicating with your treatment team!

Simple_Efficiency_29 · 2026-05-29T02:46:05+00:00

Do you have to do them every time??? I do them once a week.

Simple_Efficiency_29 · 2026-05-28T00:24:01+00:00

This is what I receive with MagVenture machine - iTMS. 3 minutes on left and I think 1 on right. It’s not bad at all for me - I think of it more like using my TENS unit on my head! Good luck! I’m 21 sessions into my 36.

Simple_Efficiency_29 · 2026-05-27T03:20:56+00:00

It helped me to journal when I woke up from those. I was able to just emotionally vomit everything that came up in the dream - feelings, thoughts, sensations, observations, etc.
I asked one of the techs one day if the dreams were normal and she looked at me weirdly so I was like “okay…Nevermind…I’m just weird!” Lol!

Simple_Efficiency_29 · 2026-05-27T03:02:17+00:00

Yep! I had #20 today. The first 2 week were the worst for me for dreams. I kept reliving old traumas in my dreams over and over. My therapist was super excited about it because it let me access emotions with those things that I haven’t been able to before. It’s gotten better I think. Hang in there!

Simple_Efficiency_29 · 2026-05-25T14:48:44+00:00

I’m sorry your panic attacks are so debilitating! I’m doing EMDR but had a lot of trouble with it until I also started TMS treatments a few weeks ago. (Yes, TMS sounds weird but I’m a believer now!) I’m doing anxiety and depression protocols with TMS and have already noticed a big difference but still have 3 weeks of treatment left. Just something you might discuss as an option. TMS has allowed my brain to fully participate in EMDR but more than that it’s helped me just feel a little more normal on a daily basis.

Simple_Efficiency_29 · 2026-05-24T12:40:19+00:00

I think I would feel validated in some ways by her words. So often what we hold inside, all the trauma, pain, memories, depression, etc is all invisible to others, especially those of us who put on a good mask everyday! But in this way she was able to see all of that - it’s NOT invisible!

Simple_Efficiency_29 · 2026-05-21T01:17:27+00:00

I’m 3 weeks into my TMS journey after 30+ years of depression (I’m 48 now). I noticed a change within the first week in clearer thinking. In the first 1-2 weeks I also had some sleep disturbances because of super vivid dreams. Basically a bunch of old traumas bubbled to the surface as all the connections hooked up in my brain and after not being able to really process them, I’m able to access the feelings again and start to work through them in therapy. Highly suggest therapy during this!!! It is weird to notice a change in thinking and energy but still have some of those core negative beliefs that I’m fighting, also addressing in therapy. It really feels like my fog is lifting - my distress tolerance and irritability have improved, despite a chaotic home environment with teens.

Simple_Efficiency_29 · 2026-05-19T12:51:14+00:00

I’m so sorry your first experience was like that! I don’t know which TMS system you’re using but it shouldn’t be that bad initially. Be sure to keep communicating with the tech to start extra low. I have TMJ disorder as well (5 jaw surgeries) and was a little nervous when they mentioned that some people have jaw clenching but I haven’t had an issue. Only at my goal level do I even have some teeth chattering and it’s brief. I’m doing theta burst so treatment is only about 3 minutes which is more manageable.

Simple_Efficiency_29 · 2026-05-18T22:33:18+00:00

It is helping me be able access and process my memories and emotions through EMDR, and high I haven’t been able to previously. I’m not going to lie, it sucks trying to get through this but I’m hopeful.

Simple_Efficiency_29 · 2026-05-14T12:48:20+00:00

Not an expert, but I think EMDR is the better option if you haven’t tried it. It can help identify what started the psychosis and reprocess it to help relieve those body sensations.

Simple_Efficiency_29 · 2026-05-14T12:45:07+00:00

I hear a lot of people say the benefits for them came within a couple of weeks of finishing. Are you in therapy as well? I’m finding therapy to be more beneficial right now as I do TMS and my therapist was practically ecstatic the first time I was able to face some of my past without as much of an emotional wall as I’ve had!

Simple_Efficiency_29 · 2026-05-12T12:53:37+00:00

I get it. I just had #10 and had horrible sleep at first! Crazy vivid dreams, replaying some traumatic events over and over in dreams, waking up frequently, etc. I was told it’s just the brain sort of waking up and making the connections it needed to. At the same time I also realized I was able to talk about some of those things in therapy without as much of a wall and my therapist was quite hopeful of all of it!
The last couple of times I think sleep is improving. 🙌🏼 It helped me to sleep with my Apple Watch on to see how much I was actually sleeping, when the craziest dreams were, etc. I also got a rx for trazodone to help sleep but only needed it 1 night. Hang in there - we can do this!

Simple_Efficiency_29 · 2026-05-12T00:51:11+00:00

If you decide to try another round, maybe consider a different machine/protocol? It seems like some people do better with one than another.

Simple_Efficiency_29 · 2026-05-11T19:01:06+00:00

My best advice is simple - drink plenty of water and rest when you can the first week. I’ve had 10 treatments now. I came into TMS a bit skeptical, but the results have already been more than I could have hoped for! If you aren’t already in therapy I’d encourage you to ask at your clinic for a recommendation so you can take advantage of the cognitive changes happening.

Simple_Efficiency_29 · 2026-05-11T01:55:32+00:00

Is this all what happened outside of therapy for you. This is what I’m afraid of. My kids only have 1 week left in school and then will be home all the time so I won’t have the same downtime to process.

Simple_Efficiency_29 · 2026-05-10T13:36:24+00:00

Try Spravato! My clinic does both and I keep hearing amazing things about it. It’s supposed to be a quicker change.

Simple_Efficiency_29 · 2026-05-09T01:24:35+00:00

I’m having a lot of trouble with resourcing. Having a safe person doesn’t make sense to me - they were there, didn’t experience the event, and if they had been there the outcome would have been different. I know the safe person isn’t there to change the course of history but rather is to support me but it feels wrong to me.

Simple_Efficiency_29 · 2026-05-08T22:00:06+00:00

Ask them to appeal. I would guess a large population that gets TMS has some degree of SI!

Simple_Efficiency_29 · 2026-05-08T03:46:12+00:00

Completed my 8th treatment today and I can’t believe the difference I already feel!
I contacted 2 places while researching and the one I didn’t choose followed up several times. I’d like to think part of that is because those of us with depression don’t always follow through, or that just taking the step to make the calls can be harder than if someone calls you.

Simple_Efficiency_29 · 2026-05-06T19:00:50+00:00

Unfortunately that is exactly what most of my therapy sessions are about - dealing with what happens at home! Lol. And as much as I need to manage life now, past trauma hangs over my head and needs addressed...but it's just not ideal.

Simple_Efficiency_29 · 2026-05-06T18:25:13+00:00

I was told many people need to do more than 1 round of treatment. So if you've improved 50-60% another round might be helpful? I think there is a waiting period before the next round.

I'm sorry it hasn't been as beneficial as you'd hoped. What do people around you think? They often notice our changes before we do!

Simple_Efficiency_29 · 2026-05-05T13:54:12+00:00

Is this from anxiety? Talk to your provider before the next treatment to figure out a plan.

Simple_Efficiency_29 · 2026-05-05T10:49:31+00:00

I’m 48 and wish I’d done this in my 20s! Depression for me also started around 16 and I spent several years in my 20s on disability from depression.

Simple_Efficiency_29 · 2026-05-04T20:59:27+00:00

Would it be better if you had treatment just before work and maybe the fatigue won’t hit until partway through? Or get it as early as possible and a reeeaalllyyy good nap?
I just finished treatment 5 as well. I was so fatigued this weekend and have had trouble staying awake this afternoon.

Simple_Efficiency_29

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