Smart TMS is delighted to share a patient’s review of rTMS – repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation treatment for depression at their London-based clinic.
Anna shares her first hand experience of the treatment and describes how it feels as well as the life-changing results.
Anna’s Story
Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Treatment
“When I was asked to write about my experience of TMS, I thought it a great idea as the actual treatment was very different from how I imagined beforehand:
- Firstly, there is nothing scary, it is just an unusual feeling. The business end of the machine needs to be touching your head, but it is held up by a metal support so it isn’t heavy.
- You wear a thin white hat which is marked up for you specifically following some tests and calculations – this does involve a little adjusting each time to make sure it is in exactly the same place. Aside from my ‘comedy ears’ sticking out either side, I forgot it was even there.
- No, its not painful – but yes, it does hurt, only a little, and only when clicking. The best way I can think of describing it is like being suddenly hit on the head a few times with a ruler by an enthusiastic younger sibling.
- You can feel it on your scalp, not inside your head, and you get used to it surprisingly quickly. It also made my eye twitch and my teeth chatter, though only during those few seconds and not at all otherwise.
- The chair itself is very comfy, I could easily have dozed off in between sets of clicks. With each treatment lasting just under 40 minutes, I was still just as comfortable at the end of each one.
- It does make you jump at first – only until you get used to it, and just because it is an unusual feeling. You soon come to realise it isn’t an electric shock.
- You are given ear plugs as the machine is quite loud when it is clicking (5 seconds out of every 30). The noisiest thing in the room is the cooler, which gurgles like a coffee machine.
- You can’t move your head, but you can still read, and write (at an angle!). I could carry on reading my book for all but the 5 seconds that it was clicking and only then stopped because my eye was twitching. By the way, if you wear specs you have to take them off.
- A nurse stays with you in the room all the time – either Emily or Roy kept me company each time – and the treatment can always be paused (should you move your head by sneezing, for example …)
- The room is kept a little cooler than “room temperature” so that the equipment doesn’t overheat.
- I felt absolutely fine afterwards, and could carry on with my day as normal.
“Dr Neal, Emily, Roy and the team genuinely care; you can tell that as soon as you start speaking to them. That’s why I’m writing this down – to thank them.“I have been on and off medication for about 25 years now, but in the short space of a month TMS has given me back something immeasurable.”
Anna
Treatment at Smart TMS London
Results may vary from person to person
SMART TMS CLINICS
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is a technological breakthrough in the treatment of depression with a variety of further potential treatment applications.
The treatment is now available in London, based at The Smart Clinics Brompton Cross (South Kensington).
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