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Hi, @A MyDepressionTeam Member! I just completed my second successful round of TMS in under 3 years. The first go-round the results were so amazing it almost scared me and my wife; this time was "good" but it just seemed to relieve my depression symptoms so I could think more clearly and focus on what I needed to do with my life.
That being said, one caveat, TMS is basically a crapshoot; some people get complete and lasting relief from their symptoms, some do "okay," and there are quite the number of those who receive no benefit. They're still studying why some peoples' brains can basically rewired their signals more evenly and some have no effect whatsoever.
My take on it is, if your meds have been failing you, talk to your healthcare provider about treatment-resistant depression modalities with the accent on your curiosity about TMS, as long as your insurance company gives the pre-auth and it's available in your area (within reasonable driving distance), I say, if you don't at least try, you'll never know.
It was a difficult decision to make as it is a stringent treatment schedule, 36 sessions, spread out over 7 weeks, 5 days a week. If there's any lengthy driving involved, especially with today's gas prices, it could cost you a few pennies.
For me, the Neurostar system was used; the attending psychiatrist, after an intake interview, assists the TMS Technician in the placement of the pulse emitter on the correct spots in my brain that needed the home improvement. They run a few pulses while looking for any signs of reactive movement in your right hand, specifically the index finger. When mine jumped of it's own accord, that's where the target area is taking the magnetic pulses properly.
I'm not going to lie, when treatment begins and the emitter is strapped to your head and the bursts begin, it feels like a very pissed-off woodpecker having at it in your head. I had a minor headache that went away by the time I got to my car.
Give it a go if you can, it's at least worth the shot!
Are you asking about transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) for depression?
TMS is a type of brain neuromodulation therapy used to treat depression. It's typically offered to people whose symptoms haven't improved enough with antidepressant medications.
Unlike at-home devices, traditional TMS requires visits to a Show Full Answer
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