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question about during my eeg
Thu, 07/03/2008 - 01:30
I am new to the forums and we are still in the air as to if I am
having seizures or migraines with associated anxiety attacks. An EEG was
scheduled and I had it done today. They did the strobe light and had me breath
heavy for three minutes. The tech was very good about explaining everything and
asked me a lot of questions regarding what kind of symptoms I was having. He
told me I might see images during the strobe part and that I might get some
tingling and light headed during the breathing part. Everything was going fine till
he did the strobe light. I was trying to relax and the second he turned each
cycle on I would jump and by the end I was in tears. I had an overwhelming
feeling of terror, not just being a little scared. It was like some deep fear mechanism.
I knew there was nothing to fear and that somehow the flashing lights were
causing it (I have always been sensitive to this type of thing, even some
patterns drive me crazy) but my heart started racing and my head was
wanting to explode. I wanted to tell him to stop but couldn't even manage that.
No matter how much I tried to relax I couldn't. I was so incredibly thirsty
during the breathing part that it was difficult to breathe through my mouth and
by that time I was shiver and almost trembling. I couldn't get my muscles to
relax and felt terrible out of it by the time he turned the light. The tech did
ask me how I felt about the flashing lights while he was taking the sensors off
and I told him that I simply can't stand flicker/flashing lights like that.
Is this a normal response to the test? I wasn't expecting anything even close to the way I felt during the monitoring and he didn't say anything about having strange emotions pop up. I should have the results back by tomorrow or Monday because he said he wanted to get the report straight to the doctor. I will post back with more info but would like to know others experiences with this type of thing.
Peace
Edit: I may have posted this in the wrong spot, bear with meI'm new :)
Re: question about during my eeg
Submitted by JMMYLUVLISA on Fri, 2008-07-04 - 10:58
Hello,
I have had epilepsy for 9 years now. Started when I was 18 by head injury. I don't even remember my 1st EEG to be honest, I think they had me so loaded at the hospital..
I do remember the rest of them though. I think what you both are feeling is actually a "normal" reaction to the test. Normal meaning that is the way I felt for each one, and it scares the hell out of you, doesn't it. I'm not sure if the "freak" feeling comes because it's a very weird test (mentally). Think about it, hyperventalate, lights flashing, little electrodes on your head with blue goop. Almost feels sci-fi a little. I think that by itself starts to freak you out, then when the lights do hit, usually people who have certain "reactions" to the light are the ones who are epileptic. Not saying this is true of your test.
When I had mine done, I was ok until the "light show" too. Then, my body tensed up, my face way uncontrolably twitching, my hands and feet felt like ice and I too, cried. I wanted to jump off the table, or even if I fell off, that would have beem ok by me too. I just wanted it to stop. Good thing though, they were able to see the effected areas of my brain, I have a large area. Upped my Dilantin (nasty crap) and I have been almost seizure free since my last test. Almost being key.
Sorry the reply is so long, I just think it's so important for all of us to share, it's such a weird med. issue to have. Not all in black and white you know? too many gray areas. Hope this helps.
Lisa
Hello,
I have had epilepsy for 9 years now. Started when I was 18 by head injury. I don't even remember my 1st EEG to be honest, I think they had me so loaded at the hospital..
I do remember the rest of them though. I think what you both are feeling is actually a "normal" reaction to the test. Normal meaning that is the way I felt for each one, and it scares the hell out of you, doesn't it. I'm not sure if the "freak" feeling comes because it's a very weird test (mentally). Think about it, hyperventalate, lights flashing, little electrodes on your head with blue goop. Almost feels sci-fi a little. I think that by itself starts to freak you out, then when the lights do hit, usually people who have certain "reactions" to the light are the ones who are epileptic. Not saying this is true of your test.
When I had mine done, I was ok until the "light show" too. Then, my body tensed up, my face way uncontrolably twitching, my hands and feet felt like ice and I too, cried. I wanted to jump off the table, or even if I fell off, that would have beem ok by me too. I just wanted it to stop. Good thing though, they were able to see the effected areas of my brain, I have a large area. Upped my Dilantin (nasty crap) and I have been almost seizure free since my last test. Almost being key.
Sorry the reply is so long, I just think it's so important for all of us to share, it's such a weird med. issue to have. Not all in black and white you know? too many gray areas. Hope this helps.
Lisa