Hi,
I was wondering if anyone here took a sleep deprivation EEG. I am going to a new Neurologist becuase I do not like my old one. I have not gone yet but they set me up for an EEG where I have to stay up all night and do the test at 7:00 in the morning. They state that the basic EEG's usually do not show much (even tho mine showed sharp waves in the left part of the brain (?)). I just wanted to get some feedback on it I guess. What they do. I had my first Grand-mal at 40 (last Feb.) and then one in June and both times it was because I did not get sleep so I'm a little nervous about this even tho the 2nd seizure I had was around 4 pm. And how on earth did people stay up all night? Thank you!

Kim

You may need somebody poking you in the side to keep you up. They want you as drained as possible, basicly more prone to seizures than normal. How? Willpower.

Usually after midnight it's no more eating, sometimes no fluids. If you can drink I say go for the caffine if thats allowed; but that also can mess up the EEGs... Caffine causes more irratic brain waves. A lot of the times they want us to stay away from the caffine; so better make it COLD water after midnight.

Watch DVD's, keep active, walk, keep the mind busy. Having a second (or third) person there helps to make sure you don't sleep off. It also gives you a SAFE transport to the hospital/clinic.

--Travis

Hi,
And how on earth did people stay up all night? Thank you!

Kim
:wave:

It helped to get up very late in the morning! I learned that from my Neuro years ago, and it was hard. Being the only person up at night and everyone else was asleep! So I cleaned out and sorted cabinets, dusted the knick knacks, and before you knew it, and it was time for me to go and I was ready for bed NOW and I wanted to postpone it! lol! That's what my Neuro said, "Keep Moving and Keep Busy! Wear yourself out! The more your move, the more you tire your body out, sitting down and reading isn't going to tire you out."

The best thing I found that works and keeps me going is LAUNDRY! Doing the Laundry forces me to stay awake, I just don't do any ironing - everything but ironing. :nono: You don't want to be doing that!

Kim, I have not had one of these yet, but I'm about to have my first sleep deprived EEG this Tuesday morning. So I had been wondering some of the same questions you were! I'm 28 and just started having convulsions/seizures about a month and a half ago, although I'm having a bunch of other issues that I think may be early autoimmune problems (attacks of joint and muscle aches, fatigue, sun and heat sensitivity, minor skin issues) plus I'm anemic, have elevated bloodwork indicating inflammation and just recently an elevated rheumatoid antibody. I also have a history of migraines, my migraines began increasing during my most recent flare-up and then these seizures started - have no idea if all of this is related or not.

My neurologist also said to try to keep as busy as possible that night, but warned me it would not be easy! I didn't get any specific instructions about what not to eat or drink that night, so it might be a good idea to check with your doctor about that to be sure. Since I'm very new to anything dealing with seizures, I've been trying to read up info, and I believe they often can get more complete info from the sleep-deprived EEGs - some neuros seem to prefer them. My convulsions tend to happen when I'm relaxing, often when I'm about to go to sleep or waking up, so maybe that's why they didn't do a regular EEG with me first.

For me, this is my first EEG period, so I don't really have anything to compare it to. I do think keeping busy will be the best way to get through the evening. I actually feel motivated to possibly clean my house that night since I've been too fatigued and achy to get much done lately! And definitely have someone else there with you to and from the appointment. Stupid me actually assumed I would be going to work after the EEG - until someone pointed out to me that I'd probably want to go home and sleep, LOL. So I guess it's probably not advisable to make any major plans until much later in the day. :)

Hi,
I was wondering if anyone here took a sleep deprivation EEG. I am going to a new Neurologist becuase I do not like my old one. I have not gone yet but they set me up for an EEG where I have to stay up all night and do the test at 7:00 in the morning. They state that the basic EEG's usually do not show much (even tho mine showed sharp waves in the left part of the brain (?)). I just wanted to get some feedback on it I guess. What they do. I had my first Grand-mal at 40 (last Feb.) and then one in June and both times it was because I did not get sleep so I'm a little nervous about this even tho the 2nd seizure I had was around 4 pm. And how on earth did people stay up all night? Thank you!

Kim
Hey Kim, I have had 2 of those tests and would you believe nothing showed up on either one. I am having small seizures or episodes on and off. It didn't start until I was 64. I do not know what I have done to cause them but all the testing that I have done has told me nothing. Good luck and God Bless. TN BELL

If you haven't had the EEG yet, I'm wishing you good luck at staying awake! I found it fine until about 4am, but at that time with no one around, it was a very lonely time! I was told to stay awake for 24hrs (so 9am to 9am when the test was) and drink no caffeine, etc. Not even eat chocolate!!

I cleaned the entire flat, as minerva and sunsweet said, so at least it can be practical!!

When I got there, they did the usual EEG tests, and then asked me to try to go to sleep for half an hour or so. I assume they hope to pick up on things your brain does when you're tired/falling asleep. Of course...I couldn't fall asleep by that point!! I was past that stage!

Let us know how it goes ;) xx

I've had several sleep deprived EEGs, along with 24 hour ones, and lost count of the regular ones (that often don't show much if one is not actively seizing or just coming out of seizures, or can show something one time, and nothing for a few, then something again).

Just keep telling yourself that the only way to get the best answers and the best healthcare is to stay awake- get some movies, put music on loud (even if only through headphones if you're somewhere that neighbors are an issue), keep all of the lights on, etc. It's not that hard if you have to do it. :) good luck with the test :)

As far as the RESULTS of the sleep deprived EEG runs: they varied.
Mostly abnormal reports, with a few grossly abnormal reports and
a couple of (lucky ones) epilepticform (seizure) activities. I hadn't had
one performed in a long time. I don't think I ever had a normal sleep
deprived EEG report to my knowledge. But on non-sleep deprived EEG's
I've had them all - ranging from normal to abnormal to epilepticform.


GOOD LUCK! Don't worry so much, just relax and take it easy, and
don't stress yourself out on it!

:)

Thanks for all the responses. My sister in law is going to stay with me since she is a night person (and somewhat loud). I found out I have to stay up from 1 am. and beyond, which doesn't matter because my worst time falling asleep is right when I go to bed unless I take Xanax which I'm not going to take to mess up the test or anything. And also no caffeine they stated. I forgot to ask them if I take my seizure medication as usual so I guess I'll call back in a couple days and ask, I just don't want to seem like a pain in the butt, but this new office is so much nicer to deal with. Anyone know?
I keep calling my old Neuro. because my psych. Doc is on vacation for a month and I will run out of Xanax and first they had phone problems, I finally got through yesterday and sure enough, no call back yet. I told them the only day I ran out before was when I got my last seizure (in which the Neuro. Doctor told me to take them) so you think they would try to help but they seems like they dont' care, that's why I changed Neuro Doctors, the one which is setting me up for the sleep deprived EEG.

Hound their office to be sure you don't run out of Xanax- it can be very dangerous to take it regularly, and then just not have it. Doesn't mean you're addicted, but the body becomes dependent on the medication, and you can easily seize without it. Drive the office nuts if you have to :)