What to expect on your TMS Journey
36 treatments a lifetime of possibilities
What to expect
Everyone’s experience with TMS is different. The timing of when you feel improvement in your depression symptoms might not be the same as other patients.
- Some individuals will start to feel positive results within the first week, while some may take a few more weeks
- It is importantly to trust the process and stay committed to all 36 treatments. Whatever you are feeling is normal.
- Some patients report that they did not realize the treatment was working until friends and family noted positive changes.
- Be patient & stay positive!
Patients have reported that the following activities benefited them throughout their TMS journey:
- Healthy nutritious eating
- Better sleep
- Exercising
- Journaling
- Meditating
- Limiting exposure to negative material (news, social media, etc.)
- Consuming positive content (TV shows, movies, music, performances, etc.)
- Engaging in positive activities and habits
You may experience some of these positive changes:
- More energy
- Improved quality of sleep
- Elevated mood
- Better concentration
- Improved appetite and eating habits
- Restored interest in hobbies
- More social disposition
- Feeling of weight lifted
- Greated vibrancy of color
What to Expect on Day One
Congratulations on pursuing TMS. Your provider and support staff will be with you each step of your journey.
You may have questions. And We have answers that will enhance your treatment experience and provide the greatest chance of reaching remission from your depression.
On your first day with TMS, you will receive your “mapping” and your first treatment. The first day of your treatment is the longest, expect 40-60 minutes. Each subsequent session will be about 20 minutes.
Motor Threshold (MT) determination or mapping is how your provider determines your prescribed dose and treatment location for TMS to deliver the best clinical outcomes for you.
- The provider delivers single magnetic pulses to look for a twitch in your thumb
- The device makes a “clicking” noise when its delivering magnetic pulses.
- You may feel a light tapping sensation when this occurs.
Your full treatment session will last 19 minutes. The tapping will continue throughout that time. You’ll be fully awake and alert during the treatment.
- If at any point in your treatment you are uncomfortable, let your treater know and they can adjust the treatment accordingly.
- You may feel a light tapping sensation on your scalp or a tingling sensation in your facial muscles.
You’ll be able to resume normal activities immediately after your treatment. TMS does not have the same systemic side effects as medication
- The most common side effect is a slight headache or scalp irritation at or near the treatment site during the treatment.
- Minor discomfort usually subsides after the first week of treatment
- It is important to let your doctor know if you experience any discomfort
- Ask your treater if over-the-counter pain medicine might be right for you
What Happens During the Mapping?
Motor Threshold (MT) determination or mapping is how your provider determines your prescribed dose and treatment location for TMS to deliver the best clinical outcomes for you.
- The provider delivers single magnetic pulses to look for a twitch in your thumb
- The device makes a “clicking” noise when its delivering magnetic pulses.
- You may feel a light tapping sensation when this occurs.
What Happens During the First Treatment?
Motor Threshold (MT) determination or mapping is how your provider determines your prescribed dose and treatment location for TMS to deliver the best clinical outcomes for you.
- The provider delivers single magnetic pulses to look for a twitch in your thumb
- The device makes a “clicking” noise when its delivering magnetic pulses.
- You may feel a light tapping sensation when this occurs.
What Will Happen After my First Treatment?
You’ll be able to resume normal activities immediately after your treatment. TMS does not have the same systemic side effects as medication
- The most common side effect is a slight headache or scalp irritation at or near the treatment site during the treatment.
- Minor discomfort usually subsides after the first week of treatment
- It is important to let your doctor know if you experience any discomfort
- Ask your treater if over-the-counter pain medicine might be right for you
What To Expect Week to Week
- Establish a new routine
- Meet and gain comfort with the office staff and your treater(s)
- Acclimate to the feelings of treatment
- Relax into your treatment routine
- Build trust in the relationship with your Texas TMS team
- Become accustomed to being in the treatment chair
- Hear that friends and family may notice positive changes in your mood
- Deepen awareness of your feelings and behaviors
- Perceive improvement in your energy and focus
- Notice a greater sense of motivation
- Have more resilience when facing everyday challenges
- Possibly question the need for continued treatments due to current response
- Experience significant relief from depression symptoms
- Feel pride for advocating for yourself adn completing 36 treatments
- Continue noticing new improvements for a period of time following your final treatment