The Telegraph: Chronic fatigue [syndrome] left me bed-bound. TMS therapy was a lifeline

The Telegraph has published an opinion piece about a personal experience with using transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) for the treatment of ME/CFS.

Summary

A previously healthy 24-year-old man suddenly developed symptoms of extreme exhaustion, brain fog, and hypersensitivities in March 2022, leaving him almost completely bedridden and unable to perform basic tasks – relying on his parents for daily care. The onset followed earlier Covid-19 infections and personal stress, medical tests were inconclusive leading to a diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome.

After about a year, he discovered transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). This treatment targets brain activity to regulate how the body processes fatigue and pain signals. Despite the high cost, he underwent multiple sessions and reports he began to see gradual improvements within weeks.

MEA Comment

There is some evidence to indicate that transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) can be of benefit in the treatment of more severe depression that has not responded to other forms of treatment.

However, there is no research evidence so far to examine both the safety and efficacy of TMS in people with ME/CFS.

So this is not a treatment that could be obtained on the NHS for ME/CFS and a course of private treatment would be very costly.

TMS is not therefore a treatment that the MEA could recommended or endorse in our current state of knowledge.

Dr Charles Shepherd,
Trustee and Hon. Medical Adviser to the ME Association,
Member of the 2018-2021 NICE guideline on ME/CFS committee,
Member of the 2002 Chief Medical Officer's Working Group on ME/CFS