T is for TMS (Trans-Cranial Magnetic Stimulation)

Trans-Cranial Magnetic Stimulation, or TMS for short, was approved in 2008 by the FDA as an acceptable treatment for Depression.  It has been shown to improve symptoms, especially for those who are medication treatment-resistant or where medications are not able to be used due to side effects.  While the treatment is still in its infancy, it is being used with remarkable results. 

TMS, by definition, uses magnetic fields to stimulate nerve cells in the brain to improve symptoms of depression.  A large electromagnetic coil is placed against the scalp near the forehead, creating electric currents that stimulate nerve cells in the area of the brain involved in mood control and 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 depression when no medication seems to work.  The treatment, however, is far from barbaric.  A session lasts about 40 minutes and is done in the doctor’s office, over a period of four to six weeks. 

I have had TMS treatments and I have had ECT (Electro-Convulsive Therapy) and in my opinion having TMS is a far better choice. With ECT, there is the added stress of being in the hospital, being under anesthesia and having a seizure induced.  A TMS treatment, however, is simply sitting in a chair for 40 minutes and then continuing with your day.  Both treatments have worked for me in the past and I am going through a “maintenance” series of TMS now, which involves a treatment every two weeks or once a month after the initial six week treatment series.  The only downside to TMS is the time that it does take as treatment is five days a week for six weeks, scheduled can become a problem and the monotony of the trips do get to be a bit much after a while.  At least they did for me, I am not one for schedules and I was finding it hard to get myself there after a couple weeks, I simply wanted it to be over. In the end though, it was the best thing I could have done for myself and for my illness.

“T” is for TMS (Trans-cranial Magnetic Stimulation Therapy)

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?   

B is for Barriers #atozchallenge

One of the biggest challenges (no pun intended) I have found with blogging for this month is that  there are numerous choices for each letter, I may end up having to write more than one a day.   The one that jumped out first this morning is barriers.  Yes, we all know those things we do or don’t do that keep us from accomplishing tasks, but all too often for those with mental illness it that stubbornness that leads to additional problems, though they may not be seen right away.  

In an article titled, Barriers to Mental Health Treatment: Stigma or Self-Sufficiency?, The reasoning behind this practice is looked at more closely.  It is an assumption that stigma would be the first reason why people do not seek treatment, surprisingly it ranks at number four, self-sufficiency is the top reason.   There is a profound belief that mental illness can be handled without doctors, medication and other treatments.  I can disagree with them because I have done that myself.  It took me almost seven years to realize that I could not take care of this my way; I believed I knew better than anyone else.  Eventually I realized I  had to look for help in other places and trust that the doctors I turned to would be able to guide me to wellness in a way I had been unable to do on my own. 

Another side to the self-sufficiency decision is all too often the inability to find the right doctor and medicine cocktail.  These two factors are probably the most common reason why treatment is cast aside.  I cannot begin to tell you the number of medications I have been on, over the last 18 years I have tried more medications than I could name.  Few have worked; however, many more have left me with side effects that I would not wish on my worst enemy.  The last one landed me in the emergency room with stroke like symptoms.  It was at that point that I told my psychiatrist; I was done with medications, and if I was to be treated, we had to find another way.  Her response, she referred me to another psychiatrist who has become a godsend, and we are using, ECT (Electro-convulsive Therapy) and TMS (transcranialmagnetic stimulation) to treat my illness along with CBT (Cognitive-BehavioralTherapy) with my Psychologist.  I still take two medications, and for now; it seems to be the right plan for me.   

We are taught as children to be self-sufficient, to find the answers on our own and follow a different path, we have to understand though that there are times when looking for a treatment alone is not the best plan.  Persistence is the first course of action and for some, it can take years, but when you find the right doctor, medications, and treatment it makes all the difference in the world.     

Additional reading:  What prevents people from seeking help