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What Causes Extreme Numbness In The Brain After Prolonged TMS Therapy?
Question: About a year and a half ago, I went through extreme anxiety and depression (but mostly anxiety, much more than depression). I had tried medication, but to no avail. Someone suggested I try a new therapy, called TMS (transcranial magnetic stimulation). I was EXTREMELY reluctant to try this, as it involved receiving magnetic pulses to the brain. I sat in the chair on the first day and did nothing for about 15 minutes, because I was scared. Somehow, I overrode my gut feeling and started the treatments. Every time I went (MON-FRIDAY), at night, I told the technicians, that I did not have peace, but they encouraged me to continue. I went through 20 of 35 treatments (the minimum recommended to see results). After I finished treatments, or around the end of the 20 treatments, I started to notice an extreme numbness in my brain. And my neck had extreme pain and was misaligned. Even more scary than all of this is that I could not feel any positive emotions in that part of the brain that is in charge of feelings of love, XXXXXXX pleasure, humor, etc. On top of this, I felt totally claustrophobic in my brain and detached from the world. I feel this treatment FRIED MY BRAIN! I still could talk and use my other mental faculties, but still had all of the symptoms above, and continue to have them up to this date. And I believe that the part of the brain that should respond to vigorous exercise, omega fatty acids in things like fish oil, salmon, avocadoes, etc., supplements, and even medication, was now totally fried!!! I am despairing to the point of not wanting to live.
Brief Answer:
You would get better with treatment.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for posting your query.
I have noted your symptoms and past medical details.
I agree that your symptoms are most probably caused due to the treatment-related adverse effects. However, good thing to note is that your brain MRI and spect scans are normal, which exclude any structural damage to the brain.
So, the damage to the brain is at the level of "brain functions", which result in derangement in brain chemicals called neuro-transmitters. As of now, there is no perfect test to detect this kind of brain damage, however, a brain PET (positron emission tomography) may help.
In terms of treatment, vitamin supplements such as methylcobalamin, alpha lipoic acid, thiamine, and pyridoxine would help in regeneration and repair of damaged nerves.
Good sleep and regular physical activity would also help in faster healing.
If there is co morbid depression due to the current illness, then, additional antidepressants would help.
Best wishes,
Dr Sudhir Kumar MD DM (Neurology) XXXXXXX Consultant Neurologist
You would get better with treatment.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for posting your query.
I have noted your symptoms and past medical details.
I agree that your symptoms are most probably caused due to the treatment-related adverse effects. However, good thing to note is that your brain MRI and spect scans are normal, which exclude any structural damage to the brain.
So, the damage to the brain is at the level of "brain functions", which result in derangement in brain chemicals called neuro-transmitters. As of now, there is no perfect test to detect this kind of brain damage, however, a brain PET (positron emission tomography) may help.
In terms of treatment, vitamin supplements such as methylcobalamin, alpha lipoic acid, thiamine, and pyridoxine would help in regeneration and repair of damaged nerves.
Good sleep and regular physical activity would also help in faster healing.
If there is co morbid depression due to the current illness, then, additional antidepressants would help.
Best wishes,
Dr Sudhir Kumar MD DM (Neurology) XXXXXXX Consultant Neurologist
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Deepak
Doctor,
Thank you for your reply to my query. However, I have to tell you that my impression is that THE VERY PART OF THE BRAIN THAT WOULD RESPOND TO DIET, FISH OIL, OMEGA FATTY ACIDS, VIGOROUS EXERCISE, SUPPLEMENTS, ETC. SEEMS TO BE TOTALLY DAMAGED. i HAVE TRIED ALL OF THESE TO NO AVAIL. WHAT DO I DO THEN? My brain is locked / frozen in a non-fluctuating mood. I cannot laugh or experience pleasure by what people say, or find anything funny. That part of the brain is TOTALLY NUMB. This is why I am despairing. So what do I do then?
Thank you for your reply to my query. However, I have to tell you that my impression is that THE VERY PART OF THE BRAIN THAT WOULD RESPOND TO DIET, FISH OIL, OMEGA FATTY ACIDS, VIGOROUS EXERCISE, SUPPLEMENTS, ETC. SEEMS TO BE TOTALLY DAMAGED. i HAVE TRIED ALL OF THESE TO NO AVAIL. WHAT DO I DO THEN? My brain is locked / frozen in a non-fluctuating mood. I cannot laugh or experience pleasure by what people say, or find anything funny. That part of the brain is TOTALLY NUMB. This is why I am despairing. So what do I do then?
Brief Answer:
Start with a PET brain
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for getting back.
Thank you for providing more information.
It is unfortunate that you have stopped responding to dietary supplements and exercises.
As of now, start with getting a positron emission tomography done, which can clearly show the parts of brain damaged. After that, a scientific treatment strategy can be chalked out.
Best wishes,
Dr Sudhir Kumar MD DM (Neurology)
Start with a PET brain
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for getting back.
Thank you for providing more information.
It is unfortunate that you have stopped responding to dietary supplements and exercises.
As of now, start with getting a positron emission tomography done, which can clearly show the parts of brain damaged. After that, a scientific treatment strategy can be chalked out.
Best wishes,
Dr Sudhir Kumar MD DM (Neurology)
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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