Not everyone has a positive response to prescription medications when attempting to get relief from depression. The medication may not be effective, or you may deal with unwanted side effects. These problems can leave you looking for an alternative to drugs. Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) may be just what you are looking for.
TMS therapy for depression in Houston at AMS Health & Wellness offers you a new alternative. It can relieve the symptoms of treatment-resistant depression. You have hope for relief from your depression even when medications have not worked well for you.
Depression was the first disease the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved to be treated by TMS. Researchers found that certain areas of your brain control mood. When nerves and synapses (connections) between nerves in these areas stop functioning correctly, depression can set in. When these areas are stimulated correctly, the nerves can be reawakened. TMS can give your brain this stimulation and bring those nerves back to steady, normal function.
Transcranial magnetic stimulation devices focus magnetic waves at very specific areas of your brain. Tiny electrical pulses depolarize and reboot nerve cells in those areas. Once this happens and the nerves stay turned on, your depression lifts.
One treatment session is not enough to bring back normal brain function. There are two different FDA-approved treatment plans you can follow. The original treatment plan runs up to six weeks with daily treatment five days a week. The newer, accelerated plan takes only a week, but you must have multiple treatment sessions each day. Your physician may favor one over the other, especially when you are having suicidal thoughts or other serious problems due to your depression.
In a large study of patients with major depression, 83 percent who completed their treatment plan felt considerable improvement. These patients had already tried at least two or three different medications but did not find the same level relief from their depression that they did with TMS. Many were amazed that they could have relief from depression without side effects. This same study also had 62 percent of patients go into remission for at least one year. Patients were able to give up medications and still feel great.
If you are on medications for depression, you do not need to stop them to have TMS therapy. TMS therapy can bring out further improvement and even remission when used alongside medications. After completing TMS therapy for depression in Houston, you can choose whether you want to keep taking medication. If symptoms start to recur, you can return to TMS therapy. Your treatment plan can be individualized to meet your needs.
TMS treatment is done while you are awake and alert. No anesthesia is needed to keep you safe and comfortable. Treatment is done in our office, and sessions usually last 15 to 30 minutes. Downtime from treatment is minimal and you can return to regular activities immediately.
Side effects from TMS are mild and many times they will lessen as you continue with therapy. Discomfort at the treatment site, headaches, and jaw pain are all easily addressed with over-the-counter pain medications. Sometimes, you may experience muscle twitching or tingling. Facial muscles or jaw muscles are most often the muscles that are affected. Usually, the twitching will stop at the end of a treatment session but if they do last, they will stop within a few hours. If muscle contractions are a problem, your physician will recalibrate your treatment parameters to help stop the twitches without decreasing the effectiveness of your treatments.
TMS is a proven safe treatment. It can be used at times when the risks of medications may be felt to be too high such as during pregnancy or postpartum.
There are a few people who cannot risk the use of magnetics close to their brain. These include people with:
Speak with your physician during your initial consultation for TMS therapy for depression in Houston about any implants, electronics, or metal in your body.
You should consider TMS therapy for depression in Houston when medications have not been working well. With its high success rate and low incidence of side effects, TMS therapy may be the perfect treatment to return your mood to normal.
At AMS Health & Wellness, we offer a warm, welcoming environment where you can feel comfortable seeking the help you need. Call for an appointment today.
