
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation FAQs
What is TMS Therapy?
Is Cascade TMS therapy uncomfortable?
How does TMS therapy work?
Is TMS therapy from Cascade TMS a good alternative for patients who cannot tolerate the side effects associated with antidepressant medications?
Can I also take antidepressant(s) if I am receiving TMS therapy from Cascade TMS in Portland, OR?
Is TMS therapy from Cascade TMS similar to electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)?
During TMS Therapy, patients sit in a chair and are awake and alert throughout the entire 19-37 minute procedure. No sedation is used with Cascade TMS Therapy. Patients can transport themselves to and from treatment as well.
In over 10,000 active treatments with TMS Therapy systems in clinical trials, no seizures were observed. TMS Therapy was also shown to have no negative effects on memory function.
“Shock therapy,” or electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), intentionally causes a seizure. Patients receiving ECT must be sedated with general anesthesia and paralyzed with muscle relaxants. Recovery from an ECT treatment session occurs slowly. Patients are closely monitored for minutes or even a few hours after a ECT treatment.
Short-term confusion and memory loss are common with ECT but not with TMS. Long-term disruptions in memory have been shown to occur with ECT therapy. These may persist indefinitely in some people. Because of the side effects with ECT, a significant amount of caregiver support can be required.
What is a typical course of treatment with Cascade TMS therapy?
Any additional treatments are based on clinical judgment.
Can Cascade TMS therapy cause brain tumors?
Is Cascade TMS therapy like other alternative therapies which use magnets to treat some illnesses?
Does TMS therapy cause memory loss?
What are the potential risks of Cascade TMS therapy in Portland, OR?
In clinical trials, over 10,000 TMS treatments demonstrated no occurrence of seizures. However, there is a small risk of a seizure occurring during treatment. This risk is no similar and no greater than what has been observed with oral antidepressant medications.
TMS therapy has been demonstrated to be effective but not all patients will benefit from TMS therapy. TMS patients should be carefully monitored for worsening symptoms, signs or symptoms of suicidal behavior, and/or unusual behavior. Families and caregivers should also be aware of the need to observe patients and notify their treatment provider.
How long does the antidepressant effect last? Will I need any therapy beyond the first treatment regimen?
Is Cascade TMS therapy covered by my insurance?
Does FDA-clearance of the TMS therapy system mean that all TMS devices are cleared for use in major depression within the United States?
This TMS Therapy system in use by Cascade TMS in Portland, OR is also the first TMS device to have been evaluated in a large, multicenter, controlled clinical trial, as well as the only TMS system with the durability of its effects over 12 months established.