TMS Side Effects and Safety: A Mississippi Patient Guide

TMS Side Effects and Safety: A Mississippi Patient Guide

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a non-surgical treatment that uses carefully controlled magnetic pulses to stimulate areas of the brain involved in mood regulation. It is commonly considered for people with major depressive disorder when other treatments have not provided enough relief or have caused difficult side effects.

TMS was cleared by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for major depressive disorder in 2008, and for depression with comorbid anxiety in 2021. It does not involve anaesthesia, surgery or electrical current being passed through the body. Most people remain awake and can return to usual activities afterwards, unless their clinician advises otherwise.

Like any medical treatment, TMS has possible side effects and safety considerations. A proper assessment should take place before treatment begins. This guide explains what Mississippi patients may wish to know and what information to share with a TMS clinician.

What TMS treatment feels like

During a session, a clinician places a magnetic coil against the scalp. The coil produces brief magnetic pulses, which may feel like tapping, knocking or a pulling sensation on the head. You may also hear clicking sounds from the machine.

A standard course of TMS often involves around 36 weekday appointments over roughly six to nine weeks. The exact plan can differ depending on the type of TMS being used, your diagnosis, your response to treatment and your clinician’s recommendations.

Your treatment team should explain what will happen during the first appointment, where the coil will be positioned, how long sessions are expected to take and how they will check on side effects over time. It is reasonable to ask questions before agreeing to treatment.

Common side effects

The most commonly reported side effects of TMS are scalp discomfort and headache. These are usually mild to moderate and often become easier to tolerate as treatment continues.

Scalp discomfort

Some people experience tenderness, pressure, tingling or discomfort where the coil rests against the head. The tapping sensation can be unfamiliar at first, particularly during early sessions.

If the treatment feels painful rather than merely uncomfortable, tell the clinician straight away. They may be able to adjust the coil position, treatment settings or other aspects of the session while still aiming to provide an effective treatment.

Do not assume you need to “put up with” significant discomfort. TMS treatment should be monitored, and your feedback is an important part of making the sessions as tolerable as possible.

Headache

A mild headache can occur during or after a session. For many people, this settles without lasting problems. Your clinician can discuss whether your usual headache management is appropriate for you and whether there are any medicines you should avoid or review.

Tell the treatment team if headaches are severe, persistent, different from your usual headaches, or accompanied by other concerning symptoms. This is particularly important if you have a history of migraines, neurological illness or head injury.

Other temporary effects

Some people may feel tired after an appointment, while others do not notice a change in energy. Facial muscle twitching during stimulation can also happen because of the way the magnetic pulses interact with nearby muscles and nerves.

Hearing protection is normally used because the TMS device makes repeated clicking sounds. Follow the clinic’s instructions on wearing ear protection throughout treatment.

The rare risk of seizure

Seizure is a rare but recognised risk of TMS. A seizure is a sudden episode of abnormal electrical activity in the brain. Although this risk is uncommon, it is one reason why a detailed clinical assessment and ongoing safety checks matter.

Your clinician should ask about factors that could affect seizure risk. These may include:

• A personal history of seizures or epilepsy
• Previous significant head injury
• Stroke, brain surgery or other neurological conditions
• Medicines that may affect seizure threshold
• Recent major changes to prescribed medicines
• Heavy alcohol use, alcohol withdrawal or use of recreational drugs
• Severe sleep deprivation
• Acute illness, including fever or dehydration

Having one of these factors does not necessarily mean TMS is unsuitable. It does mean the prescriber needs a full picture before deciding whether treatment is appropriate and how it should be delivered.

It is important to attend sessions well rested where possible, take medicines as prescribed unless a clinician tells you otherwise, and let the clinic know about changes in your health between appointments.

When TMS may not be suitable

TMS is not right for everyone. In particular, clinicians need to know about metal or electronic devices in or near the head. The magnetic field may interfere with some implanted devices or interact with certain metal objects.

Tell the clinician if you have, or may have:

• Metal plates, clips, fragments or other metal in or near your head
• Cochlear implants or other hearing implants
• Implanted electronic devices
• A history of surgery to the head, face or brain
• Shrapnel or metal fragments from an injury
• Permanent dental work or other dental devices, especially if you are unsure what materials were used

Not all metal in the body automatically rules out TMS. The location and type of implant matter. Dental fillings and braces may be relevant to comfort or practical planning, but the treatment team should assess your individual circumstances rather than relying on assumptions.

You should also mention any implanted medical device elsewhere in the body, even if it seems unrelated. The clinician can determine whether further information from another doctor, surgeon or device manufacturer is needed.

What to tell your TMS clinician

The safest approach is to be open about your medical history, medicines and day-to-day circumstances. Bring an up-to-date list of prescriptions, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins and supplements to your assessment.

Important information to share includes:

• Your mental health diagnosis and previous treatments
• Any history of mania, hypomania, psychosis or hospital admission for mental health care
• Seizures, fainting episodes, neurological conditions or serious head injuries
• Current and past medicines, including recent dose changes
• Alcohol use and any recreational drug use
• Pregnancy, plans for pregnancy or breastfeeding
• Hearing difficulties, hearing aids or ear surgery
• Chronic pain, migraines or frequent headaches
• Any new symptoms or health changes during the treatment course

You should also tell the clinic if your mood worsens, if you experience thoughts of harming yourself, or if you feel unusually agitated or unwell. TMS is usually part of a wider treatment plan, and prompt communication helps the treating team decide what support is needed.

Questions to ask before starting

A TMS consultation should give you an opportunity to understand both the likely benefits and the limitations of treatment. You may wish to ask:

• Why is TMS being recommended for me?
• What type of TMS treatment is proposed?
• How will side effects be monitored and managed?
• What should I do if I miss a session or become ill?
• Which of my medicines need review before or during treatment?
• Who should I contact outside appointment times if I am concerned?
• Will I continue therapy, medication management or other mental health support during TMS?

A good discussion should include your concerns, practical commitments and treatment preferences. You can ask for information to be repeated or written down if needed.

Planning treatment in Mississippi

TMS treatment requires regular attendance, so location and travel arrangements can matter. TMS Therapy Mississippi currently lists 21 published clinics in the state directory, including listings in Bay St. Louis, Hattiesburg, Gulfport, Tupelo, Southaven, Pascagoula, Columbus, Ocean Springs, Ridgeland and Biloxi.

Before booking, ask each provider about assessment arrangements, session schedules, accessibility and how they manage missed appointments. If transport, work, caring responsibilities or fatigue could make frequent weekday visits difficult, raise this at the outset.

Insurance coverage and prior authorisation requirements can vary by plan and by clinical circumstances. Mississippi patients may encounter plans from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Mississippi, UnitedHealthcare, Aetna, Cigna, Humana, Ambetter of Magnolia, Mississippi Medicaid or Medicare. Check both with the clinic and your insurer before treatment begins, including any referral, authorisation or out-of-pocket requirements.

Getting help in Mississippi

Use the TMS Therapy Mississippi clinic listings to compare published providers across the state. The directory’s insurance guide can help you prepare questions about cover, and the contact page is available if you need help using the directory.

This article is educational information, not medical advice.