the drama goes on .....

[angie2312]

Hi all

Just thought I would have a general rant - so I will apologise now to those of you who I may bore in the process :soap:

I am currently undegoing tests and seeing a neurologist about my "funny five minutes " that I have reguarly . I have seen the neurologist twice now and the first time he said I had text book symptoms for Simple Partials ( the whole text book thing didnt sound hopeful though - the way he said it was like he thought I had read a text book on the subject and then gone to see him ) - so he ordered for me to have an ECG - EEG and MRI - all of which I have had and have came back clear which was most frustrating - Sooooo I have been back to him and he has now ordered a Ambulatory EEG now - which is all good and well - but my " funny five minutes " come and go and I can go weeks without having any - to weeks where I have up to 20 a day - so what happens if I am having a good 24 hours when they fit these wires to my head - will they pick things up I am not aware of anyway ????? or will it show nothing - I am new to this whole thing so any advice would be great

Thank you in advance for any advice and sorry for ranting xxxx

 

[Meetz1064]

Ask for

an Ambulatory EEG that is longer than 24 hours. Mine are ALWAYS at LEAST 72 hours, usually 96. Pain in the arse, that is, but it certainly helps the neuro out.

 

[angie2312]

Oh really - I didnt realise - I just assumed it would be for 24 hours - Well I suppose 72 hours they have more chance fo catching something happening - I am praying they do anyway because the whole process of waiting for tests takes forever

Thanks for the advice xxx:woot:

 

[Meetz1064]

I don't

know about the process in the UK.........some of the others here on the forum that are from the UK would better know about the ambulatory EEGs there than i would. But I'm fairly sure that they can be done over there for longer periods of time, too. I don't see why not, at least........

 

[angie2312]

So is it likely to pick things up I am not aware of - or do I have to be experiencing one of my "FFM's" for it to actually work ???

 

[Meetz1064]

You have

to be experiencing one of them in order for it to work. The EEG is like a "snapshot in time" of the activity going on in your brain for the time that the machine is hooked up to your head. So, if you know what triggers the events to happen, then re-create those triggers so that the events can be caught on the EEG........not the greatest advice, but it will at least get their attention, and possibly the help you need.....

 

[Nakamova]

The EEGs are meant to confirm/complement the clinical evidence (i.e. your actual seizure symptoms). So while it would be great to have something show up on your EEGs, if nothing does, you're still entitled to treatment. If you can, try and keep detailed records of what you experience (even while being monitored with the ambulatory EEG), so your neuro can have as detailed a picture as possible. Sounds like he needs it.

In some cases, the EEG can show problematic brainwaves, even when you're not actually having a seizure, but it can depend on where in the brain the seizure activity originates, how sensitive the EEG equipment is, what kind symptoms you're having, etc.

Good luck!
Nakamova