eeg to determine seizure - Epilepsy Message Board

sammi2 · 08-09-2007, 10:02 AM

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.

sammi2 · 08-09-2007, 11:34 AM

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

Sherri5186 · 08-09-2007, 02:23 PM

Hi Sammi,

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

Good-luck,Sherri

neurowreck · 08-09-2007, 05:04 PM

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.

Sherri5186 · 08-09-2007, 07:53 PM

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