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Day 001 of the Multiple Sklerosis Study
(Day -3) Tuesday on 2024-09-03 GMT+1
Groningen, Netherlands

I just arrived at the ICON medical research center in Groningen today at around 11:00 AM! As I was an hour too early, I expected to wait longer, however, the staff was very glad about someone arriving early, as not only was I the first to arrive, but also could they prepare all the things for me that later might take longer due to having to do it for more people. At around 11:26 I was given a wristband that can identify me. It shows my name (Erik Uden), PRA Number (0H1W3G), group (1-2b1), and my V number (0056). After that I was shown around, shown my room, shown the beautiful and fun recreation rooms (we have like three separate living rooms with fusball / kicker tables, dart boards, TVs with Netflix etc. on them, and much more).

My blood was taken for three samples, my weight measured, a urine sample was taken too. My mental and physical wellbeing was checked.

At 12:02 I was given a schedule for the coming three weeks, and an emergency wristband was put onto my other arm. I can press it which will alert staff, and if I take it off staff is alerted. So I have to wear it during shower etc.

My schedule for today

12:00 Subject check in

Urine clinical chemistry
Body weight
Blood libal chemistry
Wellbeing
Study briefing

12:30 Lunch

14:00 Physician task

Physical examination (abbreviated)
Neurological examination
Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale
Cannabis Withdrawal Scale
C-SSRS

15:30 Afternoon snack
17:00 Wellbeing
18:30 Dinner
21:00 Evening snack

I still didn't have the study briefing. I was told it'd gonna happen ~15:30 and was rescheduled.

At around 12:12 I was already done with everything due to being so early, hence I could already go and eat lunch. I did not understand that the Dutch have their main meal in the evening, hence I was a bit disappointed at first. Although the food offered is more than enough, it didn't seem like a full meal. Later, however, I was allowed to choose my dinner for the coming weeks, then I realized when the Dutch have their heavy course.

I had tomato soup, three slices of bread (with cheese, hummus, tomatoes, cucumbers, de ruijter sprinkles, and abrikoos/bosbes fruitbeleg as topping). I drank roiboos tea and milk. There was no limit on how much you could eat, I could've eaten more, but wasn't too hungry. They also have a machine similar to that in Subway to make toast even with cheese etc. on it. That was pretty cool.

During lunch I recall a man loudly proclaiming “spaghetti!” upon seeing the tomato soup. We did not have spaghetti. He did not seem disappointed, however.

I was told that the breakfast is fairly similar with the difference being that you also get Yoghurt.

Around 12:40 I was done with lunch and called my family to inform them that I'm fine and all is going well.

After around 8 minutes, however, I had to abruptly end that conversation in order to participate in a tour of the whole facility, or rather the spaces we're allowed to walk in. I can go in one large circle and don't just have to stay in my part of the clinic. I can even go onto a balcony and breathe fresh air, sometimes there are (guided) tours outside. What is very clear, though, is that we are not allowed to go outside on our own for the entirety of the study. I can have visitors, but for the next 19 days I have to remain on this clinic, hence the many recreation rooms.

I had my physical examination exactly at 14:00. Everything was fine.

Stats of today

Water intake: 3 (glasses)

I've been given the study briefing at 15:12 and a ton of information I'd wish to share. Most importantly that my first lumbar puncture is tomorrow Morning 08:00 AM, and that there is no reserve for this group, so unless we drop out or our blood tests yield bad results, we're all going for this ride.

Regardless, it's 22:35 as I'm writing this. I'm going to bed!

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