Summary
A mother shares her daughter Chase's journey through accelerated TMS treatment for severe, long-standing depression, while Dr. Martha Koo provides clinical context. The episode follows Chase from her initial five-day accelerated protocol in early 2022 through additional treatment sessions and tapering. Dr. Koo confirms that accelerated TMS is beyond clinical trial stage and is a bona fide efficacious treatment, with many patients approaching remission by day three. She discusses the SAINT protocol results, the challenge of insurance coverage, and why TMS combined with staying on a tolerated medication produces the best long-term outcomes. The episode offers a compelling parent perspective on watching a child recover from treatment-resistant depression.
Key Points
- Chase underwent a five-day accelerated TMS protocol in early 2022 for severe, long-standing depression
- Dr. Koo confirms accelerated TMS is a bona fide efficacious treatment beyond clinical trial stage
- Many patients approach remission by day three of the SAINT protocol
- Regular TMS shows improvement by end of second week, while accelerated protocol works in days
- Young patients tend to respond particularly well to TMS treatment
- The recommendation is to stay on a tolerated medication alongside TMS for best long-term results
- Insurance covers standard TMS but not yet the accelerated protocol, though coverage is trending that direction
- TMS is preferable to medications alone since 70% of patients do not improve with their first medication trial
