Posted by Pfinstegg on August 25, 2003, at 2:24:45
In reply to Re: efficacy of rTMS for depression, posted by Psychquackery on August 24, 2003, at 22:23:43
I had a three-week course of TMS in January which, in my opinion, resulted in a complete remission from a severe depression which had been present for about 10 years, and had not responded to medications. The remission lasted four months, and then a mild degree of depression returned. This responded well to Lexapro. However, the experience of the doctor who administered the TMS is that, on average, if it is effective, the results last for about four months; because of that, he recommended short "booster" treatments every few months. Because it is such a physiologically "good" treatment, increasing blood flow to the prefrontal areas, lowering cortisol output, and nudging the neurotransmitters towards more normal levels, I have decided to go back for regular two-per-day booster sessions, which they usually give in a group of six treatments, rather than rely on an SSRI, even a fairly good one.
As to the depth the magnetic currents reaches, it was my doctor's opinion that while the current itself only goes in about 2-3 centimeters, there are concurrent changes in the brain which reach deeper. As to its effectiveness, the success rate was about 64%
As to building your own TMS machine, I can only say- wow-more power to you! That's so impressive!
Pfinstegg
poster:Pfinstegg
thread:253579
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030823/msgs/253789.html