NeuroStar® TMS Therapy
FDA-cleared, non-medication depression treatment
(855) 940-4867
(855) 940-4867
How Many TMS Treatments Are Needed?
Tolu Ajiboye
Medically reviewed on 9/29/2020 by
Dr. Geoffrey Grammer
Chief Medical Officer
If you're interested in Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) therapy, you'll likely want to know what kind of commitment it requires. Will you be able to slot it into your schedule and manage it within your lifestyle? There's a good chance the answer is "yes." There are several factors that make TMS therapy very convenient relative to other treatments.
Read on to get the answers to:
1. How many TMS treatments are needed?
2. How long does TMS treatment last?
What Is TMS?
TMS is a non-invasive treatment in which magnetic pulses are used to activate specific brain regions that are involved in regulating moods. If you've been diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) or Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and haven't had much success with talk therapy or medication, TMS therapy is a safe and effective treatment option you should consider.
How Many TMS Treatments Are Needed?
During a typical course, you'll receive around 36 treatments over a nine week period. You'll undergo five treatment sessions per week for the first six weeks, and then taper down the remaining six sessions over the following three weeks. However, your provider may recommend a shorter or longer course of TMS depending up your unique clinical circumstances. How long does TMS treatment last? Each individual TMS treatment session is fairly brief. Your first session may last a little longer while a Greenbrook TMS psychiatrist determines how to best deliver your treatments. Each subsequent session typically only takes approximately 20 to 30 minutes, though your doctor may prescribe a slightly different sequence depending on your clinical presentation. Some people are able to fit it in during their lunch break, or receive treatments on their way to or from work or school. Every patient is different, and there might be some variation to these timelines depending on your individual needs. You may start to feel better and notice changes before your course of treatment is over, but it's essential you complete it to get the full benefits of TMS.
Are Additional TMS Treatments Needed?
After the initial round of treatment, your Greenbrook physician may recommend additional sessions. This is because depression treatments don't work the same way for everyone, and there's a chance depression symptoms could come back after the first set of treatments. So, although many people won't need follow-up maintenance sessions—one treatment a week after the initial round, for example—it's helpful to recognize that you might. (Note, however, that insurance many not cover maintenance sessions.) It's also possible that depression symptoms may return after a period of remission, requiring another full course of TMS therapy. There's no way to scientifically predict if or when this will happen. It's important to regularly check in with your mood and emotions after the initial treatment round. You could also ask your loved ones or your behavioral health providers to help keep an eye out. This way, if the depression does return, you can take steps to get treatment right away.
The good news is that unlike other depression treatments, TMS usually does not become less effective after the initial treatment course. If you achieved remission before with TMS, there's a high probability that you'll achieve it again. It's important to remember that you deserve to achieve relief.
The Bottom Line
TMS therapy does require some investment of time, but if you're seeking to reduce your symptoms and improve your quality of life, TMS has been proven to be effective. TMS therapy holds a response rate of 62 percent, and it has very few side effects, the most common being scalp discomfort. Many people find this much easier to tolerate than common antidepressant side effects, which can include weight gain, poor sleep, low libido, and more. Further, when you compare TMS therapy to other treatments, it's quite convenient. It's non-invasive, and you can stay awake through it all. Plus, anesthetics or sedatives are not needed, so you can resume your daily activities right after a session.
At Greenbrook, your comfort is prioritized, and you will be closely monitoring by an experienced TMS technician throughout your treatment. Many patients ultimately find the entire treatment experience quite pleasant. You can learn more about TMS therapy from Greenbrook resources, including patient stories detailing the different positive experiences they've had. Whenever you feel ready to take the next step, you can set up a free consultation.
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A recent study compared the effects of TMS therapy and Antidepressants. TMS therapy provided more relief from patients depressive symptoms compared to Antidepressants.
You may feel isolated and alone when you have clinical depression, and depression also affects your relationships with family and friends. While the primary focus of your treatment is to improve your mental health, it’s also essential to understand your loved ones may experience their own issues as they try to support you. An understanding of how depression affects relationships can help everyone maintain healthy connections and navigate problems. Here are some of the ways depression may affect the people in your support network.
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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. Your Greenbrook Care Team will confirm that you are prepared for the two-hour observation period and that you have a ride home. You’ll get the opportunity to practice using a “trainer sprayer” that mimics the real nasal esketamine sprayer but does not release any medication. The Care Team will encourage you to use the restroom and set up your preferred environment in your private treatment bay or room. Some patients like reduced lighting, for example, while others don’t request light adjustments. You’ll complete a depression scale before each treatment session. Your Greenbrook provider will confirm that the dose kit is yours, show you how to administer it, and then hand it to you. Each sprayer contained 28mg of Spravato esketamine nasal spray. Patients usually start with two sprayers (56mg) and soon increase to 84mg (three sprayers) per treatment. But, your dosage maybe vary. Should you be left with a metallic taste by the spray, the Care Team will offer suckers to help make the flavor dissipate. After your dose, you’ll be encouraged to lie back in your comfortable recliner. While most patients enjoy a quiet setting, Greenbrook is prepared to accommodate patients with a more animated reaction to the medication. You may feel sleepy, dizzy, mildly dissociated, and/or nauseated during treatment. Greenbrook's Care Team is readily available if you need assistance. How to Prepare for after your Nasal Esketamine Treatment Most side effects begin to wane in the second hour of observation, but if you’re wondering, “Is it safe to drive immediately after nasal esketamine treatment?” the answer is a resounding no. In addition to the mandatory ride home, you will need to block off time to rest and let side effects fully dissipate. This extended rest period is especially important in the first weeks of treatment when you’ll have treatment twice a week. 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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