Depression Blues Vs. Colorful Hues Try Esketamine at Duluth and St. Cloud TMS

Stubborn depression kicking your butt? That’s because of your pre-frontal cortex, and it’s not easy to change. Brains are a creature of habit, and if your brain is used to being depressed, it wants to stay depressed. Breaking old patterns is HARD, especially when battling severe and persistent depression.  Here are a couple treatments that can physically, mentally, and emotionally make life easier.

1. Medication – most people have tried it, and some people have gotten help from medication management alone. 
2. TMS – Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation does work for WAAAY more people than medication management trials alone. Insurance covers it and, and this is a perfect option for people who want a strong chance at change but only have 15 minutes a day.
3. Spravato – FDA cleared depression treatment that’s more intense, but less frequent than TMS. It’s esketamine, monitored safely in-office, and again, covered by insurance.

Duluth and St. Cloud TMS now offer SPRAVATO!  A prescription medicine, used along with an antidepressant to treat:

• Adults with treatment resistant depression (TRD)
• Depressive symptoms in adults with major depressive disorder (MDD) who have suicidal thoughts or actions

What does it take to sign up for this treatment and how well it works?

Esketamine is a nasal spray ordered from the pharmacy and delivered to the clinic, stored safely for your use only.  It’s an anesthetic that is taken in the office, and while it starts to work, you sit in a comfy chair, listening to a selected playlist, with a weighted blanket and eye coverings. Mood is everything. You’ll be monitored for 2 hours before safely being able to get a ride home. 

You’ll want to schedule this near the end of your day, twice a week. You can’t drive home, because it takes about 6-8 hours for every side effect to wear off, but you can work the next day.  People usually schedule a medical ride to and from the clinic or have someone pick them up.  

Spavato is scheduled 2 days a week at first, and then tapered down to once a week.  

Now for the good part: How well does Spravato work? 

Studies indicate that if you commit to the treatment, you’ll feel better.  In a study of 197 patients, those on esketamine had a significant drop in depression rating scale scores. In fact, after the 1st 24-hours, scores reported a 3.3 point drop in depression – radically affecting the meaning of fast-paced results.  Even patients receiving the placebo got better during these trials! It’s suggested that the environment, treatment, and engagement with protocol help with challenging depressive episodes and get to the root of the problem – which is that nasty brain being used to depression.  Change your behavior, and the brain starts to feel like it’s not depressed. 

Ready to learn more? Click this link and fill out the form. We’re excited to have you join our patient family!