Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) Post #2

Day 2: Magnet to the Brain! Yesterday’s session wasn’t nearly as long as the first one. They plugged in the settings, adjusted the arms and chair to the appropriate numbers (it reminded me of gym equipment), and fired up the flux capacitor.

I had brought a book to read during, but my technician was feeling chatty and so rather than read I had a conversation. I’m wondering if it matters what you do during the session. If you read, speak, or write does it stimulate those parts of the brain along with the targetted magnet area? Now, I want to grow up and be a mad scientist.

Image result for robot chicken mad scientist

It’s highly likely that the tension headache that shared my headspace for most of yesterday is contributing to that hairdo.

Sleep: How’d I sleep? How many hours? Quality?

My sleep was instantaneous. It feels like when your body is so exhausted that you’re asleep before your head hits the pillow. I don’t feel unrested either it feels like it was a very deep sleep. However, I don’t have any recollection of dreams or any indicators that I was getting deep good quality REM sleep.

Appetite: How’d I feel about eating? What did I eat?

I didn’t really feel like eating. My appetite was actually pretty low and what I did eat was very minimal quantities. New diet? Patent pending.

Physical Activity: What did I feel capable of doing? What did I ultimately do? How did I feel after?

I really didn’t even want to move or make dinner. I ended up going out to eat and nibbling on my food while not wanting to have left my sanctum.

Motivation: How much proactive motivation did I have? What motivated me? What were my goals? Did I hit them?

My motivation was pretty good at least during work hours. I managed to clean up a lot of to-do and other items while performing the role of a happy, friendly, completely not-depressed smart guy.

Baseline Mood: What am I feeling as a baseline.

Pretty low. I had a brief period of feeling lighter and happier during the day. I think I was just having a good morning/early afternoon. The evening was pretty much low to the end.

Happenings: What’s happened today that may impact my baseline?

Tired, headache, otherwise it was a very uneventful day.

Reactions: What were my reactions to the happenings?

Boredom, lethargy, grumpy lows.

Learnings: What did I learn, observe, etc?

The second day of treatment the pain was so intense that I almost couldn’t take another pulse and then it gave me the break. There’s a beep right before the pulse that makes my muscles tense which I’m pretty sure is making the pain worse.

This is tough, it feels like a bit of torture, it’s not getting easier. But, I won’t know for 3-4 weeks whether or not it’s working. Ah, blind faith. My mortal enemy.

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