Viewing 6 posts - 1 through 6 (of 6 total)
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  • March 4, 2015 at 7:13 pm #4960

    NeedMoreCowbell
    Participant

    Hello, I’m new to this forum and so grateful to the person who told me about it!!!

    I went through a round of rTMS in 2013, ran into insurance problems trying to get additional treatment, ended up having nightmare ECT/MAOI experience, and recently got a job with insurance that covers TMS. Deep breath! So, I’m into my third week of treatment. During my first round I was out of work, so I had more time to engage in healthy activities once I felt up to it. This time around I’m working a slightly reduced schedule and it’s tougher than I thought it would be. Basically, I’m exhausted most of the time.

    Like the first time, I’ve had good days and less than good days, but progressively better days, Both treatment rounds resulted in sleep disturbances – this time more pronounced. I wake up in the middle of the night or too early in the am. I take meds for sleep and I’m typically a very sound sleeper, but for some reason rTMS has this effect on me. The first TMS provider told me that it wasn’t uncommon, but at that time it last only a week or so. This time it’s almost every night and doesn’t seem to end. Have others had this kind of experience?

    Thank you!

    March 5, 2015 at 1:41 am #4964

    GraffinLA
    Participant

    Like you said, I do remember some slight sleep disturbances the first week, which went away.

    Honestly, my instinct is to think it’s just a symptom of your depression. It’s pretty common to have early waking. The two things I’d recommend is some deep yogic breathing before bed to get your nervous system to settle down a bit, and also Uvex Goggles. Search for them on Amazon, they cost $8 and work wonders for insomnia, though I’m not sure they can cure the early waking. I’m sure things will improve as you get deeper into treatment 🙂

    March 5, 2015 at 8:34 am #4969

    colleencasey
    Participant

    NeedMoreCowbel:
    Welcome to this forum!
    In a research article on the Science Daily website, dated 10/26/12, titled, “Magnetic brain stimulation treats depression independent of sleep effect,” it states: “. . . The good news is that TMS does not contribute to insomnia or oversleeping.” (I have heard several patients report some short lived effects on their individual sleep patterns.)
    The article continued, “One of the many bad things about depression is that often patients cannot sleep. We think it’s a significant symptom,” Rosenquist said.
    I found TMS Treatments quite tiring, almost having a sedating effect. That remained steady throughout the treatment cycle.
    It is great that you have insurance coverage – Good Luck with your TMS Treatments. Stay connected.

    March 5, 2015 at 11:02 am #4971

    NeedMoreCowbell
    Participant

    Thank you GraffinLA. I absolutely need to practice yoga and meditation to calm my mind. I’ve been depressed off and on for more than a decade and I’ve never had a problem sleeping. That didn’t start until I was a week into my treatment during both rounds more than a year apart. I’ll also check out the Uvex.

    Best,
    NeedMoreCowbell

    March 5, 2015 at 3:18 pm #4972

    Greg
    Participant

    Needmore,

    Just wanted to welcome you and wish you luck in your treatment.

    March 7, 2015 at 4:37 pm #4982

    NeedMoreCowbell
    Participant

    Thank you Colleen and Greg. Today is a good day.

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