My ENT has decided that my failure to respond to GERD diet (anything you like to eat or drink is prohibited) suggests the problem is stroke damage. I also found out yesterday that my sleep apnea is not only obstructive but what is called central sleep apnea. My brain is sometimes failing to send the breathe command. Fortunately, this is only an occasional lost message.
I discovered from talking to SuperGrok that TMS has been found by meta-analysis of dozens of RCTs to be more effective than swallowing exercises alone or swallowing exercises plus sham TMS (placebo treatment) at treating post-stroke dysphagia.
The RCTs, unfortunately, are almost entirely within 12 months of the stroke. It also appears that Medicare only covers it for depression. If I have to pay for it out of pocket, as my son-in-law says, "It's only money," and there is no shortage of that
Any experience with TMS?
Not personally, but I recently met someone who has.
ReplyDeleteHis name is Pete Donahue, and he is the Republican candidate for state representative in the 18th District of Illinois. (This is a very lopsided district; Mr. Donahue is running to maintain the Republican presence.)
I met him at a "meet-and-greet" gathering, where he explained some of his recent personal history. A few years ago, he was the victim of an assault at a Chicago nightclub. He was knocked down and suffered a severe concussion.
This affected his brain, causing him (among other problems) frequent short-term memory lapses. He went to San Diego and received TMS, which cured him. One day, he told the doctor that he knew the treatment was working, because he hadn't needed GPS to find the clinic that morning.
The treatment was expensive; he spent about $100,000 out of pocket. However, he is a somewhat wealthy man (worth several $million, despite some recent heavy losses), and considered it money well spent.