TMS, short for Trans-Cranial Magnetic Stimulation Therapy,
is a fairly new treatment for those who live with depression and have had an
issue with medication where they either did not work, or the side effects were
too great. TMS is also used with
medication to help diminish the depression symptoms. Still in it infancy, as a treatment for
depression, TMS is already being used widely and with great results.
TMS works by generating high magnetic fields that turn off
and on very rapidly, the same strength used by MRI (magnetic resonance
imagining) machines. A treatment coil is
placed on the head above the prefrontal cortex, the part of the brain that
regulates mood. This procedure does not
affect the entire brain, reaching only 2-3 centimeters beneath the coil. Small electrical currents activate cells
within the brain that are thought to release serotonin, norepinephrine, and
dopamine. Depression is believed to be a
imbalance of these chemicals, TMS restores the balance, in turn relieving
depression.
To read the description of what it is and how it works may
sound more like something out of a Frankenstein movie, but the reality is it
works and the wonder of modern medicine is giving hope to many to suffer with
depression and no medication seems to work.
The treatment, however, is far from barbaric. I began TMS 4 weeks ago, the normal course
runs for six weeks with 30 treatments done over that period of time, with
results normally being seen by week 3 or 4.
I can say first hand, it works; but, mine was not a simple case, I
managed to confuse my doctor, and we had to adjust things. The treatment coil is placed on the left side
of my head, as is normal for most people, however, for me after only a week I
became manic, it had taken away the depression but left a mess in its wake. To balance things out, we moved the coil to
the right side and hoped for the best.
By week 3, I was feeling better and the fog that had covered me was lifting;
I was smiling and felt alive for the first time in a long time. I have 8 more treatments to go, after which I
will return for what are called maintenance visits once or twice a month. It’s a small price to pay to feel well and
function normally.
As with any treatment, it may not work for everyone, but I
am thankful for it. I had, ECT
(electro-convulsive treatment) done in January, a series of eight treatments
done in the hospital; it helped but left depression in its wake, leading us to
today and TMS. I am thankful for my
psychiatrist, the only one where I live who uses this and the fact I had the
opportunity to be part of this new way of treating depression. We turned to these procedures because I am
medication resistant, and I was tired of trying an endless list of
medications. For me it was worth trying
and am thankful I did. Is this something you would try?
No comments:
Post a Comment