TMS THERAPY
FDA-cleared, non-medication depression treatment
Martha Rhodes; a TMS Success Story | Part II
Daniel Hageman
We were recently able to conduct an e-interview with author and TMS patient Mrs. Martha Rhodes. Last week we posted Part I of our interview with her and today we are please to share with you the rest of Mrs. Rhodes incredible story of how Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation therapy changed her life for the better. When did you start to notice changes in your mood? My doctor was very clear with me from the outset—TMS isn’t a quick fix. This information prepared me to be patient waiting for results. I didn’t begin to notice a difference in my mood until four weeks into the program.
We were recently able to conduct an e-interview with author and TMS patient Mrs. Martha Rhodes. Last week we posted Part I of our interview with her and today we are please to share with you the rest of Mrs. Rhodes incredible story of how Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation therapy changed her life for the better.
When did you start to notice changes in your mood?
My doctor was very clear with me from the outset—TMS isn’t a quick fix. This information prepared me to be patient waiting for results. I didn’t begin to notice a difference in my mood until four weeks into the program.
Somewhere around my nineteenth session I woke up one morning without that disgusting “UGH!!” feeling—the feeling that’s a thousand times worse than the “I wish it wasn’t Monday morning and I didn’t have to go to work!” feeling. (I call this “emotional nausea”.) I had a feeling of lightness, as if a heavy winter coat had been removed from my tired shoulders. I noticed the music I listened to during my drives to and from my treatments was more upbeat and I found myself actually singing to the music! I began reaching out to friends again, to talk on the phone, meet them for lunch. My tears subsided and I heard myself laughing. The ever-present anxiety and sadness disappeared. I had increased energy although it wasn’t a manic kind of feeling. It felt more like an easy, quiet “knowing” that my life—and any problems in it—were manageable.
Having a strong support system in place to get me through the initial sessions when it seemed as if nothing was happening was important to my recovery. Taking a pill every morning is a tangible thing. You see it, you swallow it, you know it’s going into your bloodstream and will hopefully do the trick. TMS is far more discreet, almost mysterious. The fact that it is based on magnetic pulses almost lends itself to the realm of “magic”. It’s invisible and non-invasive—but it works.
How exactly did TMS help you?
TMS affects the neural pathways in the brain’s left pre-frontal cortex where emotions and mood reside. Short, MRI-strength magnetic pulses stimulated the area of my brain that wasn’t producing sufficient neurotransmitters (chemicals that activate nerve impulses). The magnetic fields produced very small electrical currents that awakened these cells within my brain so they started doing their job—which is to release the necessary neurotransmitters that alleviated my symptoms of depression. Antidepressant medications tried to induce my brain to achieve this, but in so doing, the drugs were passed through my entire body and affected other organs. TMS was applied directly to my brain so I didn’t have any of the side effects I experienced with the medications.
Has your depression returned since beginning TMS?
I’ve been without any serious depression relapses for almost three years. I did periodic, single “booster” treatments during the first two years after I began TMS that kept me symptom-free. Recently, however, I had an extended period of intense stress that caused me to relapse into a deeper depression. However, I was able to recognize the early symptoms of uncontrollable weepiness, agitation, abnormal sleep and loss of appetite, so I contacted my doctor who prescribed a series of ten treatments that immediately pulled me out of the “depression cave”. Although experiencing another bout of depression was upsetting, I was reassured that TMS is the therapy I can always rely on to maintain my mental health.
Describe your life today:
Major Depressive Disorder is a chronic, physical illness that I constantly monitor, just as I would have to attend to any chronic illness such as diabetes. I’m still coming to terms with this life-long disease. I also know that there’s no “get out of jail free card” that comes with TMS, but I’m relieved to have this dependable therapy that works for me better than any other treatment I’ve tried.
It didn’t seem possible while I was undergoing the treatment that I would ever feel normal, especially because the onset of relief that I call “The Lift” was very subtle. But once I began to notice the little things that had been missing when I was so low returning, I knew I would make it. I’m finally out of the dark cave. Not only have I recaptured my life, I’ve actually gained more than I had to begin with. My experience of life now is the difference between watching a video or movie vs. being at a live theatre performance. I feel more real and clearer now than I have ever felt before. The horrible symptoms of depression are gone. I’m functioning at a normal activity level and most important, I have a newfound value for my life–it really is worth living!
Your mantra when it comes to TMS therapy:
Trust the technology and don’t be afraid of alternative therapies for depression. Above all, have hope and “Just Proceed!”
You can check Part I of our interview and the rest of our blogs by subscribing!
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Starting any medical treatment for the first time can leave you with questions, especially if you’re looking forward to the benefits it may bring. It’s no different when you’re preparing for your nasal esketamine treatment. Your previous mental health treatments may have consisted solely of taking antidepressants at home or visiting a therapist’s office for cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), so nasal esketamine is probably a new treatment experience for you. If you're wondering what it's like to start nasal esketamine and get ready for your first session, keep reading. Getting Started with the Nasal Esketamine Treatment As with any new treatment, you’ll first talk to your primary care provider or psychiatrist about whether nasal esketamine is a good fit for you. Alternatively, you can schedule your esketamine nasal spray consultation with a treatment center (such as Greenbrook) that has certification by the FDA’s Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS). At Greenbrook's REMS-certified nasal esketamine treatment centers, our Greenbrook-affiliated psychiatrists and psychiatric nurse practitioners will review your medical history and also conduct our own assessment to help determine whether nasal esketamine treatment is right for you. Certain conditions, including blood vessel disease and a history of psychosis, may make treatment a risk for you. Make sure you discuss all previous and present conditions with your doctor or nasal esketamine provider before beginning treatment. If the medication is deemed a good fit, you’ll receive your prescription from the Greenbrook-affiliated provider. Your Greenbrook Care Team will put together a personalized care plan for the weeks and months to follow. Keep in mind that you will need to take a standard (oral) antidepressant along with your nasal esketamine treatment. There are two important regulations to note when it comes to preparing for treatment: Each treatment is followed by a mandatory two-hour observation period. This means you will need to plan to stay at the center for at least two hours following your self-administration of the esketamine nasal spray. You cannot drive during the rest of the day after treatment and must arrange for transportation. These regulations are mandatory. It may be helpful to sit down and plan out several weeks’ worth of transportation once you know your treatment schedule. In addition, if you’re wondering what to bring for the treatment, we recommend entertainment such as an audiobook or playlist of favorite songs and a pair of headphones. You may want them during the two-hour observation period. What to Expect During Nasal Esketamine Treatment On the day of treatment, you’ll need to stop eating any food two hours before your appointment and stop drinking all fluids 30 minutes before you come in. 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Do not drive or operate machinery of any kind until the day after treatment. Just take it easy, relax, and take care of yourself. If you’re unsure what activities you can do or should avoid during this time, talk to your Care Team for more information. While side effects tend to dissipate completely after a good night’s sleep, many nasal esketamine patients begin feeling relief from depression symptoms within hours of their treatment. Other Tips in Preparing for Your Nasal Esketamine Treatment At Greenbrook, we make every effort to schedule your treatment in the afternoons or whenever it is most convenient for you. We encourage you to see each treatment session as an opportunity to relax and take care of your mental health. If you have any questions or concerns, talk to your doctor or the Greenbrook Care Team. At Greenbrook, we’ll help you feel at ease when preparing for each treatment session. Schedule A Free Consultation To get started with nasal esketamine, schedule your free consultation today.
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