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Just finished my 36-session TMS course — here is my honest review

I completed my last session yesterday and wanted to share my experience for anyone on the fence. Background: I've had treatment-resistant depression for 8 years. Tried 4 different SSRIs, therapy, even ketamine. My psychiatrist suggested TMS as a next step. Weeks 1-2: Honestly, I felt nothing different. The tapping sensation on my scalp was uncomfortable but tolerable. I almost quit after session 8 because I thought it wasn't working. Weeks 3-4: Something shifted around session 15. I woke up one morning and actually wanted to make breakfast. Sounds small, but I hadn't felt that motivation in years. My wife noticed before I did — she said I was laughing at a TV show for the first time in months. Weeks 5-6: The improvement kept building. Not linear — I had a rough day around session 28 and panicked. But overall, I'd say I went from a 2/10 to a 6.5/10 on the depression scale. Now, one week post-treatment: I feel cautiously optimistic. Not "cured" but genuinely better. I can function again. I'm going back to work next week. Happy to answer any questions about the process, side effects, or what to expect.
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Sarah M.
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Mike R.
9d agoedited

Thank you so much for sharing this. I'm starting my sessions next week and I've been so anxious about it. The fact that it took until session 15 for you to notice changes is really helpful — I'll try not to give up early.

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Great to hear about your progress. The timeline you describe is very consistent with what we see clinically — most patients begin noticing changes between sessions 12-20. The key is completing the full course. For anyone reading this, the early sessions are building a foundation even when you don't feel different yet. The brain needs time to form new neural pathways.

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David L.
7d agoedited

This gives me so much hope. I'm on session 22 right now and feeling about a 5/10 compared to my starting 1/10. The non-linear part resonates — I had a terrible day last Tuesday and spiraled thinking it stopped working. Good to know that's normal.

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Rachel W.
7d agoedited

Can I ask which type of TMS machine your clinic used? I've been researching the difference between standard TMS and deep TMS and trying to figure out which might work better for me.

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Sarah M.
7d agoedited

@Rachel — they used the NeuroStar system. My doctor said it's the most studied one with the strongest evidence base. I didn't look into deep TMS much but I know some clinics offer it.

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Both NeuroStar and BrainsWay (deep TMS) have strong FDA clearances. The choice often depends on the specific condition being treated and your provider's experience with each system. Deep TMS uses H-coils that reach broader and deeper brain regions, while standard figure-8 coils are more focal. Neither is universally "better" — it depends on the individual case.