TMS FAQ | Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Frequently Asked Questions Answered

[@eugeniashedrick4082]

I’ve started treatment with this. My health insurance approved it because I’ve had numerous failed medications. I finished #7 so far. I am doing so much more than I have done in a very long time.

[@ShayVidz]

Hi how are you now

[@garysimone4977]

@@ShayVidz yes how are you now

[@61john2112]

I had 20 treatments of tms which is standard protocol,i live in tasmania Australia and had it done in a hospital called st helens in hobart..i suffer terrible depression because of chronic pain[fibromyalgia]. Tms didn't do a thing for me,but in saying that i met people who it did..it tends to work on younger people and brain plasticity..long term depression is harder to treat..this was about 2 y ago and i'm seeing the same psych again and he cannot believe how much worse my depression is..chronic pain and depression are comorbid conditions.

[@christina0131]

61john2112 aa

[@samhallzero]

Try FasterEFT, there are 1500 free videos online, covers most disorders and doesn't cost a penny...you'll find loads of testimonial recoveries there too

[@kimberlytalarico2286]

61john2112, Have you tried Gabapentin 300 msg twice a day? It helps with my fibromyalgia.

[@mickismommy95]

I'm bipolar 2 and you have been giving me real hope.

[@nickforbrains]

I have that too and I'm going to give this a try. My intake appointment is today. I'm hopeful about it...

[@mickismommy95]

I went through with this. The psychiatrist at the treatment center diagnosed me with depression with manic features, or something like that. Any way I've gone through the treatment and they have really worked! I feel like a functional human. I'm still on my lamictal, but I'm ok with that. I hope I can sustain this state of being. I spent so much time in a depressed state... There is a light at the end of the tunnel, I swear.

[@samhallzero]

Try FasterEFT, there are 1500 free videos online, covers most disorders and doesn't cost a penny

[@garysimone4977]

@@mickismommy95 how you doing now

[@mickismommy95]

@@garysimone4977 doing ok. We went through a ton of life changes that threw me off kilter really bad, but I was able to come back. Honestly, I could use a follow-up treatment, as the cycles are slowly creeping back. But my new insurance doesn't cover it. Heck, they barely cover my meds!

[@buckeyez419]

Yes this treatment works for many, but to say it’s safer and noninvasive is not accurate. I had the treatment, and since I’ve experienced a much deeper depression including suicidal ideation. I also have concentration issues, mood fluctuations, and anxiety attacks in certain social situations. I had none of this prior to TMS. There’s others who have experienced similar or different symptoms that have really negatively impacted their lives. It’s been 7 months since last treatment and pray that I can regain some of my brain back.

[@bobbil8069]

Great information. Thank you.

[@leahpatts6007]

Does it wear off, what could go wrong, and are there any side effects the patient should be aware of?

[@psychiatristrobertd.mcmull8191]

For answer about "What are the side effects of TMS?" watch minute 17:33 - 19:08 TMS treatment doe not necessarily wear off but a patient may need a refresher or a few maintenance treatments at some point. Others may not. Be well!

[@talonwatkins6613]

Have there ever been trials using LSD during TMS? My understanding is that one effect of LSD is neural plasticity. Could the plasticity combined with the TMS catalyze the treatment for faster results?

[@jpmcfluffies9451]

What is the likelihood of consistent relapses? I am looking to get this done, but would have to travel overseas and stay in a hotel for 6 weeks as they don't offer this in the country I live. If I have to keep coming up to Boston every 6 months, this is not super realistic for me.

[@Allanwify]

Would sure like to try this treatment, I don´t think we have it here in Denmark though.

[@CraynerProductions]

Can you do a video on Nardil?

[@Monster33336]

Nardil is the most powerful antidepressant I've seen. Aside from Lithium it is the single most effective treatment.

[@anaspringett7255]

Why can't I just do this instead of antidepressants?

[@LeeboProductions]

Because in the U.S, the FDA have only approved it at level 3; meaning that you have to have tried 2 medications that had no effect.

[@whatwhat8524]

If you want insurance to pay you have to have tried medications first. If you want to pay out of pocket you probably could get it. It is very expensive. Around $6,000 for the whole 30 treatments, but if you aren't responding, you stop after 2 weeks.

[@angelole6568]

Can someone get TMS if they had a history of seizures? None of the meds worked for me for my depression or anxiety. My doctor turned me down for TMS said no because I had seizures in the past. I really want to get TMS I feel like that might be life changing thats why need a second opinion.

[@bp7417]

Thank you Doctor

[@Dz0vanisz]

Hello i want to ask could this treatment help with HPPD? it's like bipolar,depression,anxiety,panic attacks and something like that which was made of lsd?

[@psychiatristrobertd.mcmull8191]

It very well may help! Please call the office 212 362-9635 if you would like to schedule an evaluation to talk more about this issue. Be well !

[@garysimone4977]

Wait you go on tms cause no meds have worked now ya want them to he on something going in ???

[@quantumchang4410]

What's the difference between Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS), transcranial direct current stimulation (TDCS) and Cranial Electro Stimulation (CES)? Are they the same?

[@merlin2754]

TMS can target a very specific area, while tDCS targets a bigger area so it's harder to target one area, but you rather target a bigger region. I think a more familiar term for CES is tACS (transcranial alternating current stimulation), it's similar to tDCS, but instead of constantly exciting one area and inhibiting another, the current switches at a certain frequency. I'd say TMS is the most promising for treatments (theoretically it could be amazing for a wide variety of treatments but there is a high need for more research into less generic things), but it's also more expensive.

[@toddbedusek6263]

Does it help with dopamine side of deppresion

[@toddbedusek6263]

I'm.on disability so I get blue Cross blue shield ...through the state so t dint think i could do it. It's six treatment s.probably charge me 1000 dollars

[@ElizabethGonzalez-jt7ns]

Will this work for pure OCD? I live in NYC and I'm interested.

[@merlin2754]

Yes, people with OCD are currently being successfully treated using TMS. I don't know which countries (except my own) use it for OCD though.

[@whatwhat8524]

Yes, it is FDA approved in the US, so it is covered by insurance forOCD. There are studies in progress for other conditions, but until they are approved insurance won't pay for it. So for it is approved for depression, OCD, and anxiety. Think that includes PTSD. It is being studied for Tourette's, fibromyalgia, and some other conditions as well. It is a different machine for OCD than the one for depression, it is the same machine but targets a different frequency, I think. My son just started it for OCD and anxiety, but he also has Tourette's, so I am hoping it helps that too.

[@mohamedratel4977]

Is TMS approved by the FDA for schizophrenia treatment. Thanks

[@naomitims4521]

No its only approved for major depression, OCD and smoking cessation currently

[@matiasromay9247]

im from argentina, and here i only know one place to make this treatment in buenos aires, for me now is very expensive to do this, the cost of all is 70000 pesos argentinos which means 1890 dolars here. my psyquiatra doesnt know about this treatment because it not known inoff or its very knew , so i decide to explain all this but he not trust or doubt about tms, he thought that maybe tms is a fraud ... so can any body tellme when can i search for a official information about tms to offer to my doctor this ? sorry for my english ja

[@merlin2754]

Search for papers about rTMS as treatment for depression (on google scholar for example). I have to say, currently TMS is a treatment that's used mainly when medication doesn't have the wanted effects.

[@jessicah3450]

Doctors shouldn’t be so afraid of MAOI’s

[@MrLaburnum12]

Can It increase the IQ.

[@MrLaburnum12]

Thanks

[@jjgoly7336]

Robert D. McMullen is a warm and caring doctor i was by a dozen of them he is a great guy

[@Country-Gal-at-Heart]

I'm in the UK. Is there anybody I can contact to take part in any trials? I'm so done with anti psychotic medication and the side effects.

[@whatwhat8524]

You look up trails on the clinicaltrails.gov. It will come up with a place to put in the condition , other terms ( put in TMS), and then your county. If you find one in your country, click on it and it will tell you what the inclusion criteria are (if you qualify for this study) and it will provide a contact person towards the bottom of page. Good luck.

[@shani-gurlt8397]

Thanks Dr. McMullen for this information!!

[@garysimone4977]

50% dam that's not good and 12k cost better have good insurance. This does not sound like a positive endorsement

[@sharlaharris8120]

Does TMS help those with cluster headaches??????

[@missymh9169]

Doctor, what about people with serotonin syndrome? Is this a good therapy for them?

[@CaffeineFC]

I was born with Spina Biffida/Hydrocephalus and have a VP shunt in the right side of my head. I'm nearly 41 and it hasn't been replaced since 1979 (and may very well have become nonfunctional. I've never had symptoms of malfunction).. My local psychiatrist wants to put me on TMS and I'm very amenable to it but the concern is that there may be metallic components within the shunt. Has your clinic done TMS on patients with similar circumstances? I was told that the shunt may preclude it because of metallic components (potentially). I have no way to check this because the Neuro who did it has passed on and I have no idea where his case load went to. Suggestions?

[@brontxD]

What is diference between TMS and magnetic therapy in rehabilitation? As far as: in induction- Tesla, frequency Hz, time ... Thanks

[@merlin2754]

What do you mean by magnetic therapy? TMS can have varying settings. Stimulation frequencies, amount of pulses etc vary on the goal.

[@genefelix]

brontxD are you a psychiatrist?