Does TMS Therapy Have Side Effects?

TMS, or Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation, is a safe, non-invasive, and effective treatment that uses MRI-strength pulses to treat the cause of mood disorders like Depression Treatment. There are little to no side effects of TMS therapy. If patients do experience side effects, the most common ones that patients tend to experience are:

• Nausea
• Mild Headaches
• Mental fatigue
• Irritation or discomfort at the site of the coil and/or other facial muscles

Nausea

Nausea is not one of the more common side effects. Usually, only patients that are prone to nausea experience this side effect following TMS treatment. It is encouraged for patients to come to treatment daily with something in their stomachs to prevent nausea. However, Patients are more than welcome to take anything over the counter before or after treatment to aid in preventing/soothing nausea.

Mild Headaches

Headaches are considered the most common side effect of TMS. Patients that are headache prone may continue to experience headaches from TMS. Patients are more than welcome to take anything over the counter before or after treatment to aid in preventing/soothing headaches.

Mental Fatigue

Treatment can make patients feel a little tired afterward, just like you got done taking a long exam. Patients that already experience fatigue may not notice a difference from TMS treatment.

Irritation or discomfort at the site of the coil and/or other facial muscles

At the beginning of treatment, it is normal to feel discomfort or irritation at the site of the coil or other facial muscles. The coil’s placement over the target treatment location may also allow sensations to be felt not just under it but in areas proximal as well. Facial muscle twitching during the treatment itself, such as the eyebrow raising, jaw movement, or a tickle on the top of the nose, is all normal.

Side effects from treatment are temporary, as they primarily occur during the beginning of treatment while your nerves are desensitizing. Most patients experience side effects coming on as they are leaving treatment; by the time they get to their next destination, the side effects have dissipated. Think of treatment like a little workout for your brain and the side effects like being sore from working out.

At Salience TMS, we pride ourselves on having the highest-trained TMS treatment team in the country. We train our teams thoroughly in all TMS therapy areas throughout our teams’ 4-6 week training course. They work hard to ensure our patients are comfortable, understand what’s happening with TMS, and provide the best environment possible for treatment. In addition, our team can help you understand the side effects of TMS therapy. See why many patients are choosing Salience as their provider for TMS Therapy.