Half way journey with Trans Magnetic Stimulation ( TMS) trial treatment - 2014

Its now two weeks in to my Trans Magnetic Stimulation  (TMS) treatment .

Its still an unusual sensation and this has not changed or decreased in any way and still continues to feel like a pecking bird above my eyebrow.

I still feel the odd sensation like pins and needles and wave of coldness washing over me but that seems to be it in its severity ,which is amazing !! Im so relieved ....

I have during this time to contend with my new suprapubic catheter and it has been very painful and uncomfortable ,keeping me awake and in general more bothersome than the treatment and my Fibro symptoms ,which is a rather big statement .

After treatment I decided to navigate my way to a close by casualty to get it checked out ,only to realise that I don't really have any navigational skills ,or body strength to walk but it needs to be done .... with instructions in my mind ,I proceeded slowly and cautiously around the block until I found the bus stop I was directed to .

As I ventured through city streets upon the bus I just hoped it was taking me to the direction of the hospital ...The driver turned and indicated that my stop was next ,unfortunately this was the incorrect hospital .... he was then kind enough to say oh its a long way a way .... but told me ahead of time when I was due to get off ,thank goodness..... little did I know there was another walk ahead of me ,by this time my fibro was moving right through my whole body ,and my supra pubic sight was on fire ,I was walking so slow .... but finally arrived and was promptly seen to .

After much testing and discussion I was able to head home later that evening with future things to think about .... many things whirling in my head that made me feel confused and saddened I just felt awash with fatigue and emotion .

Was looking forward for the new day and feeling brighter and anticipating less pain ....
This next day was my last day and was my half way point of treatment !!

Last day of TMS.....
Feeling brighter and focused on my TMS treatment and how its effecting me ,well after a huge day of emotion and of physical activity yesterday I thought compared to usual my body actually responded better than it would have normally .Given this day my body had somewhat recovered from yesterdays walking was remarkable for me ..... yay.... so excited so far with how my body is responding .....
After treatment I completed my regular book of paperwork which records pain and emotion  indicators for the past week ,mine definitely differed from the previous week .... Im feeling somewhat positive at this stage ....

F is for ..... a slight bit of freedom ......

Week 2 - Trans Magnetic Stimulation for Fibromyalgia-Tuesday

Some definate slight change and decrease in overall pain.

Currently making my way toward treatment and having my small break at the mid way point,time to rest and re charge for second part of tram trip and the treatment its self.

Heading off again for stage 2 of my daily trip and toward what may be a better and more positive future.

Sitting on tram and soon approaching destination treatment.... a wave of sudden pain engulfes me like a fierce wave rolling from head to toe .
Oh no.... my brief encounters of slight changes had possibly been too optimistic? im suddenly shocked and once again saddned by the level and intensity overcoming me....

I complete my pain scoring today to a higher level and feel as though I can only slump into the recliner to begin treatment today.In need of an immediate distraction from the treatment I request to listen to my music today....for i know today without it the sensation will be additionally intense.

Greatfull for my music and its calming effects I soon complete my session.Im soon homeward bound and out again in the icy blustery wind.

Pain continues to rise steadily and is now making its way into my ribs as well.Every inch of my body is covered in hot packs as i simply try to relax and distract myself watching tv.

Am feeling naseaus with pain intensity and my new addition of supra pubic catheta is also painful and uncomfortable too...feeling washed out by the day I take my weary self and multiple hot packs to bed for a well earnt rest...A new day will bring new things...

F is for..... faith...in what the new day may bring...

Day 3- TMS trial for Fibromyalgia

Day 3- trans magnetic stimulation trial

Each day although I know how it will feel I slide into the recliner with some apprehension.

The machine is today started a higher level and soon moved to it full strength.For me today I can say although it is not painful I felt immediate shock of its full force.

My eye brow quickly jerked around and my eyes watered somewhat,although not painful the sensation is today nearly overwhelming,I wished it would soon end with each interval...

With each interval my body was over come with a strong wave of goosebumps and coldness... again nothing painful just another sensation.

As I left treatment and embarked on my public transport trip back home,to my current home away from home.The blustery  wind penetrated my skin and made its way directly to my bones.

 Pain was immediate and engulfed various parts of my body.Teeth chattering and sheets of
 ice landing upon my joints I await the incoming tram with desperation.

must have  jumped on he wrong tram out of desperation it turned down another street,several blocks from my destination....I jumped off and navigated my way home on foot.
Icy wind penetrating  my being I pushed myself to continue  the walk until i arrived home into the familiar warmth of a home retreat.

My body although cold to the bone,and my usual cold weather response had quickly made its way  rippling through me.... I finally warmed,rested had taken some pain meds.... the continuing usual flare did not continue.

The pain meds,warmth and rest left me feeling a high level of fatigue and whole body ache,but much to my dismay I imediently noticed the level of pain did not increase. For me in my 5 years  having this condition this was the first time that the pattern of pain changed.

The evening wasnt the evening or intensity that my daily routine normally represents...it was more of a subtle pain.... until the early hours of the morning arrived...i was sharpley woken with the familiar sharp and nagging chest pain that usually resides within me....the overwhelming pain that increases without question or reason and prevents sleep or even a peaceful night.

Morning didnt come soon enough,as darkness faded from both body and sky  it was finally time to begin a new day of treatment......

F is for..... finally..... a slight change....and a small glimmer of what may be....

Day 1&2 -Trans Magnetic Stimulation Trial for Fibromyalgia

The purpose of this trial is to investigate the use of repetative  TMS as a treatment for the symptoms of Fibromyalgia.Experience has shown people with Fibromyalgia may have an inbalance in the excitability or activity levels of the cells in the brain.TMS appears to work by changing the excitable the cells of the brain arewhich may help reduce,or alleviate Fibromyalgia symptoms.Several studies support the use of TMS in the treatment of Fibromyalgia,however these effects are usually only brief,in this study we will trial a longer treatment coarse to explore wether the effects of TMS can be extended.
This insert is taken from Participant information sheet/consent form version 4.Monash Alfred Psychiatry Research Centre.

I arrive to begin treatment with a mixture of nervousness and excitment.After finalising a load of pain questionaires I was taken to my treatment room.

I was required to lay reclined in a comfy chair while the lovely clinical nurse which is what he was referred to took me through the process verbally.

It appeared to take along time to set the machine up precisely  to suit my head.Measurments were taken and   light tapping began as the correct positioning was identifying where to position the head piece of machine correctly.

It was then time to begin,i felt an overwhelming surge of unknown rise within me as a tear briefly came to my eyes surface.

Within a moment quick sharp motions began tappin g on head in short bursts of sequences.

With each sequence  i was asked if the intensity could be increased.The sensation was very unusual and nothing i had exeperienced before .it feels like a woodpecker bird pecking at you and becoming stronger at each interval.

Here is the image of my machine used for this treatment....

Trans Magnetic Stimulation trial for Fibromyalgia lead up...

The past couple of weeks have whirled by full of buisiness,uncertainties ,I find myself awash with overwhelming fatigue ,excitment and the new unknown.

I had mixed emotions when i had discovered I had been accepted into the first Australian Trans Magnetic Stimulation trial for Fibromyalgia.My initial thoughts were of relief that after exploring so many varied treatment options and spending a huge amount of time researching options,trial data etc that my determination had paid off for myself and my beautiful supportive family.That finally we as a united front have another option,although an unknown one at this stage I feel as though without the perseverance to continue to search for options this new window opportunity would not have presented itself.

I am truely blessed my family and extended family have fully supported me along the way and although this treatment will present geographical challenges everyone is fully supportive in hope for positive outcomes.

Let the new journey of hope begin.