TMS THERAPY
FDA-cleared, non-medication depression treatment
TMS FAQs: How Long before TMS Works?
Theodora Blanchfield
If you've been dealing with treatment-resistant depression, you've likely already tried several depression medications or therapies. Maybe they only partially worked, or didn't work at all, so now you're considering transcranial magnetic stimulation, or TMS. At this point, all you want is to find relief, so you're probably wondering how long before TMS works. Read on to learn more about TMS and when you might feel better if you try it.
How Does TMS Work?
Transcranial magnetic stimulation works by creating a magnetic field above your head targeting the prefrontal cortex in your brain, which is known to be underactive in people with depression. The magnetic pulses pass through the skull, creating electrical currents that trigger activity in the nerve cells in that region.
During treatment, your technician will start by placing an electromagnetic coil against your head and switching it on to create stimulating pulses. You may hear a tapping or clicking sound, and you'll feel tapping on your forehead for several minutes. The process is usually well-tolerated and it's convenient in that there's no need for anesthesia, so you'll be able to drive yourself home afterward.
How Long before TMS Works?
TMS treatment , while effective, does require a bit of a time investment on your part. Typically, sessions will take place five days a week for up to six weeks, and they last about 20-50 minutes each. This may sound like an inconvenience, but many people actually appreciate having some time during their busy days when they can simply sit and relax, and at the end of treatment, patients sometimes mention that they’ll miss coming in every day. About 60 percent of those who try TMS see results, with some individuals even going into a full remission of symptoms.
How Will I Know TMS Worked?
Results will look different from person to person, depending on how they felt in the first place. Some common changes include having more interest in doing things, sleeping better and more restfully, having appetite return to usual levels, seeing energy increase, and finding concentration and focus improve. For some, the positive changes may be more gradual and therefore difficult to notice. It sometimes takes a spouse or close friend to notice this kind of gradual progress, so ask your loved ones to keep an eye out and let you know if they notice anything different.
In addition, people who feel better after receiving TMS may also enjoy more effective talk therapy or be better able to find the energy and motivation to stick with healthy habits like exercising. These compounding benefits may ultimately decrease the need for maintenance therapy.
It can be discouraging to not see results immediately, but it's important to stick with it through the end. Remember that everyone experiences TMS a little differently. Some people don't experience an improvement until they've completed their full course of TMS. Others start feeling better right away, and then experience a dip in their mood before improving again. That's why it's important to see your treatment plan through to completion and talk with your TMS provider about how you're feeling to get the best results possible.
If you’ve tried several different depression medications and still don't feel like yourself, remember that you have options.
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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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Schedule A Free Consultation To get started with nasal esketamine, schedule your free consultation today.
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