Dr. Luehr and the Sonder staff are top notch. You won’t find anyone better. I would absolutely highly recommend them for any mental health needs.
Kathleen, TMS patient
We’re proud of the technology, team, and process we offer our patients seeking Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) treatment.
(New to TMS? Learn more about it here.)
And as we witness each patient experience the benefits for themselves, we’re right there celebrating alongside them!
This week, we’re talking with Kathleen about her experience with TMS:
Thanks for taking the time to chat with us, Kathleen! Can you share a bit about what life felt like prior to beginning TMS treatment?
In addition to depression, anxiety and a previous suicide attempt, I contracted Covid-19 very early on. I have long-Covid and have been battling a myriad of significant health issues coupled with a lack of medical knowledge about the disease for 3+ years.
During this time, if I didn’t have to get out of bed for a medical appointment, I stayed in bed. If it was 3 days, I was in bed three days I was depressed about life in general and the medical struggles. Many days, I wished I hadn’t woken up. I only left the house for medical
appointments. I was hypersensitive to light, sounds and peripheral motion. Life felt like not worth living, literally.
What had you tried (before TMS) to address these challenges?
I’d tried psychiatric medications for depression and anxiety, medications to sleep, as well as counseling.
Dr Luehr was fantastic throughout and willing to try different medications to target specific issues. Dr Luehr is my fourth psychiatrist (due to several moves) and is absolutely THE BEST!
Any hesitations about exploring TMS for yourself? What made you decide to give it a try?
I learned about TMS in my psychiatrist’s office via TMS marketing materials. The first time I asked Dr Luehr about it, he said it was for people for whom medication management was not working well. At that time, he said he didn’t think I was a candidate and I agreed then that I felt well on the medications. During a re-evaluation the following year, he said he thought I was now a good candidate and I agreed to begin TMS treatment.
I was already being treated for “diffuse brain injury” at a long Covid clinic, so I was worried about worsening that condition or the two therapies working against one another. Even without the condition I had prior I think it is normal to worry about any treatment to the brain. Dr Luehr and the TMS coordinator answered all of my questions and explained he process in detail. I was also worried about a seven week commitment to be up and out every day!
Ultimately, I was reassured by Dr. Luehr and the TMS Coordinator. I was tired of being sick and had tried every other viable option.
What was the experience like for you?
The treatment was exactly how it was described to me. For me, there was no pain or discomfort at all. I will admit that I have a fairly high tolerance for pain and an ingrained calmness to nearly everything, but I truly believe there was no pain or discomfort.
The two technicians who provided the treatment services, Lauren and Sarah, were AMAZING! I will absolutely miss talking with them everyday!
What were some of the first changes you noticed after beginning treatment?
I seemed to have more capacity to deal with life issues and more motivation to be out of bed accomplishing small things around the house. Those changes continued to increase throughout the TMS treatments.
How does life feel different now, after TMS treatment?
I feel better. We also did a medication increase right before I began TMs, so it could be a combination. It is easier now for me to complete my occupational and physical therapy at-home sessions. And it’s easier to make a simple daily plan of activities and get some (if not all) of them done.
Any advice or encouragement you’d like to share with someone considering TMS?
Do it! Let the light in. What do you have to lose? There is a Medina location, as well, if that is closer for you. There are no better people than Dr. Luehr and the staff at Sonder.
Dr. Luehr and the Sonder staff are top notch. You won’t find anyone better. I would absolutely highly recommend them for any mental health needs.
Thank you, Kathleen! We’re honored to have worked with you.
Want to take part in our TMS pilot study?
Call (952) 999-6097 or email us at tms@sonderwellness.com
Inspired by what Kathleen shared? Interested in learning more about TMS?
Enjoy this post? Check out these other posts about TMS:
TMS Patient Experience: Whytnee
TMS Patient Experience: Amy
TMS: The Promising Depression Treatment You’ve Never Heard Of
Preparing for Your TMS Evaluation
5 Reasons to Choose Sonder Psychiatry
Meet the Providers: Erin Fritz
Meet the Providers: Lisa Lemke
Meet the Providers: Daniele (Dani) Hagberg