Going to hospital for EEG monitoring

[Duke]

Will be at Duke University in Durham,N.C. on Sept. 1st for 5 to 7 days. They said I should bring movies ,board games, and video games to keep me active. And that they often get more valubleinformationif I am interacting when seizures start. How could playing a video game or other game help them ?

[dfwtexas]

If you have any photosensitivity issues, the video game may trigger seizure activity on the EEG.
I not into video games, but every now and then I will watch my son play, but I usually stand way back and look away often. I have some photosensitivy issues myself.

[flinnigan]

They also like to tire you out the less rest you get the more seizures you have, Its not so bad. I rather enjoyed my stay. Tell a mom of three to stay in bed, give her three hots a day and unlimited control of the remote almost a vacation.

[hannahmargaret]

Maybe they just don't want you to get bored Try to think of it as time to rest and relax... That seems like an awful long time for an EEG. I had two - one was for a weekend and the other was sleep deprivation where I came in for an EEG after staying up all night. Duke has one of the best programs in the nation! Whatever it is, best of luck!

[BuckeyeFan]

This may sound odd, but they probably want you to have seizures while you are there. That is the only way they can collect data. Of course, not having seizures from such things as video games can also help them rule out possible triggers.

Best of luck - hope you have computer access to keep us updated.

[rangerwvu]

Duke,
I agree with everyone elses comments....try not to worry too much before you get there. The best thing that can happen is for you to have seizure(s) while you are there. It will provide the Docs (and just as iimportantly you) with critical info/data that can really help. Plus, you are very lucky to be able to recieve this testing there...Duke University is a very well respected, national leader with just about any Medical issue...not that I have a bias or anything! lol

[Duke]

Thanks for all the replys and information. I called the hospital this morning and the Epilepsy monitoring unit said to be there at noon on the 1st.
Last week would have been the perfect week to be there, I had seizures 5 days in a row. Some days 2 and 3 that cluster for 20 to 30 minutes at a time. I wish I could trade weeks.
Well everybody just wish some seizures on me, I know that sounds bad but thats what I'll need.
Duke

[flinnigan]

I got so relaxed at the hospital mine stopped day on 3 but they still got enough info. Good Luck.

[Connie Tech]

there is a tech at Duke named Susan F--she was in Grand rapids MI for a time--super Tech and great Program. You will be limited to movement from Bed and/or a chair..you should bring items you are interested in that you would do at home on a rainy day--reading, movies, videos, genealogy, etc. make the most of the time and know EVERYONE there is looking out for your best interest...Good Luck

[Endless]

I got so relaxed I felt hypnotized. The only really annoying part is they make you stay in bed for the duration of the stay. I longed for a hike, or any kind of exercise. They do it both for safety, and so you stay on camera.

Yes, take games, books, etc. You may want to call in advance and ask if they have free wireless internet, webtv, movies, etc. It helps to know what you'll already have there. I stayed at a public hospital that was like a cruise ship: movies, online games, webtv and free wireless, cell phone usage allowed, music on demand, 24 hour ala carte menu-driven room service with fabulous food. I'd go back any day.

There were two things I wished I had brought: a power strip and a container of oil. I know, it sounds strange.

The only place they would let me plug in my laptop and cellphone and charge them was out in the bathroom, to decrease interference with the monitoring leads. There was only one power outlet in the bathroom. Impossible to charge both over night. Power strip would have solved that.

The oil is to get that darn glue off your head afterwards. Take along about a half cup of any kind of oil. Work it into your scalp, using your fingers to work it into the glue. It can take about half an hour of working the glue between the ends of your fingers before it dissolves. Then shampoo. Then do it again. After you dry it you may have something that looks like really bad dandruff. That's the glue you missed, so you may need to do it again. I did it at the hospital because I didn't want to clean the oil out of my shower at home. Let the hospital staff do it.

Good luck!

[DayDreamer]

If you have a seizure while playing a game or interacting it will be more obvious what, if anything, becomes impaired. Sometimes reading my seizure diary it is obvious that I was not capable or writing correctly or possibly even coherent speech.