EEG packing

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Wendy1966

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Hello all,

I am packing for my 6th video eeg and I could use some help. You'd think I'd know exactly what to pack but my last planned veeg was in 2009 so I am a little out of practice. I'm hoping that your suggestions will help me remember what to pack so that I don't forget anything.

Thanks in advance for your help.

Wendy
 
How long does a video EEG last? I saw the doctor 1 1/2 weeks ago and she said something about hospitalizing me for awhile (not sure if she said how long) or to try a trial of meds to see if I am having partial seizures. I opted for meds because it puts a big burden on my employer if I take time off (I really don't even want him to think anything is wrong). I run a one-person office.
 
My 5 prior VEEGs ran from 8 to 20 days. I've heard of some as short as 3 days and I'm sure there are others longs. Really depends on if seizures are found quickly or not.
I hope your meds control your seizures, you have no side effects and can get on with life as usual.
Best wishes,
Wendy
 
Having had 3 grand mal seizures in 11 years, plus undiagnosed ongoing convulsions without loss of consciousness, a doctor has recommended I go into an Epilepsy Monitoring Unit for several days so they can induce/diagnose my seizures.

Wendy, is this what you had? What was the experience like? It sounds very scary to me; was it for you?
I have been on Keppra for several years and my dose was just doubled. Do you have experience with Keppra or other meds?
 
Yes, exactly right! This is what I have had done in the past and am about to do again. I've found the experience to be a tiny bit scary but mostly boring. And a tad frustrating at times. I'm sure it's different for everyone.
Keppra is not my friend, as I experienced the Kep-RAGE. It was awful. But I know 2 other people who use it and love it.
I've been on many meds. I currently take Banzel & Oxtellar.
 
I am going in for a VEEG this Monday 10/21. This is my second time going. My first was back in '07. This time it's to confirm seizure activity is still only in one location.
I'm planning on surgery soon.
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I plan on shaving my head to be ready for the leads. Bring button down shirts, lounge pants/shorts, slippers, magazines, puzzle books, old cd player, etc. Only bring non-essential items. If they get damaged, it's no big issue.
 
Reply/Questions for Bigman and Wendy

Thanks so much for the info and best of luck to Bigman. Bigman, will you be in for one day or several days? How common is brain surgery for seizures?
 
I'm also going in for my first video eeg on 10-21. I'm more than a little nervous.
 
I was told to expect to be inpatient for 5 to 7 days.
I was admitted on Tues. 10/15. Today is Friday, 10/18.
I will be here until at least Monday as that is when I am scheduled for an MRI.
I should get to leave afterward.
However I rarely have seizures when admitted for these and so I tend to get invited to stay longer in hopes of capturing something.
Good luck to all.
 
I was told 5-7 days, but my paperwork says 8 days... but the time could be longer or shorter. <sigh> I have to have an MRI before being admitted. It's going to be a long day...
 
Video EEG... all EEG's are not video are they??? I know I have been one in the past who they pretty much just need to try a little to get me to have a seizure but that was close to ten years ago and they have me coming in the 24th this month. Strange seeing as they originally told me it would be 6 months or more before they could get me in.

I do hope for everyone else going to play the EEG game that things go well. Yea, I keep telling myself it is a game as they attach all those wires to our head and do what they can to shoot a seizure our way and I figure if it is a partial, I win; if it is a grand mal, I guess they win :(
 
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I had a VEEG in 2010 as part of the pre surgery tests for my brain surgery. I was in the monitoring unit for 5 nights (went in on Monday morning, came out on Saturday). It isn't scarey, it can be more boring then anything. When I had my VEEG I sleep deprived myself, only sleeping a couple of hours each night so found the night times really boring.

When I had mine I only had a few simple partials & my brain waited until the day after I was released from hospital before it decided to have a complex partial.

Good luck to everyone who is having VEEGs.
 
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Thanks so much for the info and best of luck to Bigman. Bigman, will you be in for one day or several days? How common is brain surgery for seizures?

I'm going in for at least 5-7 days. My neurologist only needs a couple good readings. So it may be less.

Video EEG... all EEG's are not video are they???


Video EEG & EEG are run exactly the same way. Except you have video of the patient for one and not the other.

I'm hoping for a short trip. My session is just to update my records and peace of mind.
But much like the rest of my life, my luck sucks. So I'll probably be in the full week. :(
 
Today is day6 for me and I am glad that I packed a clean pillow case for the pillow I brought from home. It's nice to have a fresh familiar pillow.

Also, I wish I had worn my sneakers and not my regular shoes because I have to ride a bike for a bit today.
 
Today is day 5 for me. This has been on of the most invasive things I've ever experienced. On camera 24/7, can't go ANYWHERE without a hospital escort. I had three seizures but the docs said they were too close together so it only really counted as one. This has been a scary, boring, frustrating, time.
 
When I had my 72 hour one years ago before I went in I was having several complex partials daily. It was caused by malformed blood vessels but they wanted to make absolute sure (simple complex after surgery from scar tissue). As soon as I was admitted all activity stopped. It took stopping my meds and sleep depervation to trigger them. I had 3 in a hour.
 
I have stopped two of my four meds. I had three seizures, two hours apart. Apparently that is too close together. They want to to go down on my meds more to trigger them again. I'm just worried I'm going to have too many again.
 
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