Is an eeg the only way to determine if your symptoms are seizures? What exactly do they do to you when you have an eeg? Thanks.

Thanks much! Do you have to stay awake the night b/4?

Hi Sammi,

No you do not have to stay awake the night before.

Good-luck,Sherri

Some docs do have you do a sleep deprived EEG. There's also a 24 hour EEG if they get some significant info from the hour long one (might have to deal with flashing lights and hyperventilating), and just want another one that's longer but not the week long deal.

EEGs are only a part of diagnosing seizures. Witness statements are very important. Your noticing any patterns to them, or what you feel before and after or if you remember the whole thing. Some seizures start so far down in the brain that the superficial electrodes of a regular EEG will never pick them up. But, they're painless, and besides getting the electrode goo out of your hair afterwards, no big deal.

Yes,like Neuro said,getting the goo out of your head
bites.But,the last time I had an EEG(just 2 months ago)
for the first time,they put a cap on my head and all the
wires were hooked onto the cap and my hair wasn't effected
at all.Really nice.Things they can do with modern technology :)

Sherri

Besides getting an EEG done, my doctor has had me get a MRI done. When performing an MRI they lay you down and put the upper half of your body in a circular, computerized machine and review your brain waves. Wires are not put your head when you get a MRI done.:bouncing:

I had an MRI done about 13 yrs ago & I swore I'd never get another one done
but will probably have to. Thanks.

I agree, the goo is easier than it was 20 years ago to get out of your hair. My neuro would not accept the 'cap' EEG, since placement of the cap can end up over the wrong part of the scalp- that neuro (out of a boat load during that period of time) had it redone with the electrodes being hand placed without the cap. Different docs want different types.....:)

EEG's don't necessarily determine anything. I can't count the number of EEG's I've had in the last 30 years, including sleep deprivation, strobe lights and every other thing the MDs could throw at me...never a blip, always perfectly normal. Ditto the MRI's. Good luck.

I've also had many of the regular EEGs, but the extended ones, or those after seizrues have been diagnositc.

That's interesting, and it made me realize I've never had an EEG right after a seizure. A week later maybe, but that's it. Thanks

My post seizure EEG showed generalized slowing. Very different from others.