TMS -Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation
TMS is a procedure that is done in our office. Before you begin, you will have a thorough psychiatric evaluatiion to see if you are a good candidate for TMS. The psychiatrist will review your history of depression, including all treatments you have had for depression. He will review all antidepressant and all psychiatric medications you have taken , including responses and side effects you have had from medications. He will review your medical illnesses and medications you are prescribed for those conditions. He will also review your medical records from your psychiatrist and primary care physician.
If you are a good candidate for TMS, we will show the treatment suite, the reclining chair and TMS machine and answer any questions you may have. Our treatment suite is pleasant and comfortable. We have the option of playing music on an ipod compatible sound system. Your can bring your own ipod or we'll use ours and assist you in selecting music that you enjoy. Our Doctors and staff are friendly, professional, and accomodating. We will do everthing possible to make you feel welcome, and cared for with compassion and kindness.
TMS treatmentconsists of sittingin a comfortable chair and receiving magnetic pulses that cause chemical changes in the prefrontal cortex, which cause changes in the neurotransmitters that affect your mood, interest, energy, appetite, and sleep.
These sessions last 37.5 minutes long. Side effects are few and usually resolve after the first week of treatment. These side effects are scalp pain and headache. Often these side effects can be prevented or minimized by taking tylenol or other analgesic prior to your treament. You will wear earplugs and hear a tapping noise for four seconds while receiving the pulses, then a break of 26 seconds before the next set of pulses. This pattern continues until the end of your session.
There is no anesthesia needed and you will be able to drive to and from your appointments. There have been no reports of memory loss or confusion reported with TMS. The treatments consist of having daily treatments 5 days per week for 4-6 weeks or 20- 30 sessions. Your progress will be monitored with depression scales that have been used in research and clinical practice for many years.
If you live out of town, we can get a corporate discount at a local hotel or an upscale apartment complex to make your experience more convenient. The apartment complex is about 1 minute away from our office.
Am I a good candidate for TMS?
The best way for you to determine if TMS is right for you,is by speaking with your doctor, psychiatrist or qualified health care professional. Proper pre-procedural screening insures that therapy is administered only when it is medically advisable.
Eligibility:
In order to ensure your safety, the following general requirements will need to be met prior to receiving TMS therapy:
- Currently diagnosed with treatment resistant depression by a psychiatrist, physician or qualified health care professional. Treatment resistance is defined as one antidepressant failure at or above the minimal effective dose in the current episode.
- No implanted ferromagnetic items (i.e. pacemaker)
- No previous history of epilepsy
- No foreign metal bodies or metallic/magnetic implants in your head
Scheduling a consultation for TMS
If you are interested in scheduling a consultation withone of our psychiatrists, to see if TMS is good optionfor you, please call our office (803)779-3548 today. You willreceive a call back fromone ofour Psychiatrists. We will need a copy of yourmedical records. If you agree TMS treatment, you will continue to see your current psychiatrist and we will communicate with your psychiatrist about your treatment and your response to it.
For more details about TMS, click on the links below.
What is TMS Therapy®
About TMS Therapy®
Treating Depression with NeuroStar®
How it Works
See the video