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Epilepsy and Radio Waves

Thu, 05/06/2010 - 19:42

Hi all,

I have a bizarre-sounding question (at least to me), stemming from a few bizarre experiences. Question first:

Is anyone aware of whether radio waves can influence epilepsy?

About a year ago I was in an airport waiting for my flight and all of the sudden I started having heavy auras. No full-blown seizures (I have tonic-clonic), but auras every minute or so. Now I work in an EEG lab with a communications tower directly above and I've experienced the same thing several times. The signal strength is strong enough to mess with our recordings sometimes. So...

I figure the two have in common especially strong radio waves. Has anyone ever been influenced by radio waves before?

Comments

Re: Epilepsy and Radio Waves

Submitted by phylisfjohnson on Fri, 2010-05-07 - 10:06

For some reason, the website doesn't seem to be working properly.  Email me at pfj@pfjohnson with a copy of your post and "musicology" and I'll explain...     Phylis Feiner Johnson    www.epilepsytalk.com

For some reason, the website doesn't seem to be working properly.  Email me at pfj@pfjohnson with a copy of your post and "musicology" and I'll explain...     Phylis Feiner Johnson    www.epilepsytalk.com

Re: Epilepsy and Radio Waves

Submitted by phylisfjohnson on Fri, 2010-05-07 - 10:13

Believe it or not there's a certain epilepsy called:

Musicogenic Epilepsy

This is a form of reflexive epilepsy in which a seizure is triggered by music or specific frequencies. Sensitivity to music varies from person to person.  Some people are sensitive to a particular tone from a voice or instrument. Others are sensitive to a particular musical style or rhythm. Still others are sensitive to a range of noises.

Try keeping a diary to see if this trigger is consistent and note anything else that you may perceive as a trigger.      Phylis Feiner Johnson   www.epilepsytalk.com

Believe it or not there's a certain epilepsy called:

Musicogenic Epilepsy

This is a form of reflexive epilepsy in which a seizure is triggered by music or specific frequencies. Sensitivity to music varies from person to person.  Some people are sensitive to a particular tone from a voice or instrument. Others are sensitive to a particular musical style or rhythm. Still others are sensitive to a range of noises.

Try keeping a diary to see if this trigger is consistent and note anything else that you may perceive as a trigger.      Phylis Feiner Johnson   www.epilepsytalk.com

Re: Epilepsy and Radio Waves

Submitted by drmab on Tue, 2013-06-25 - 12:07
I have TLE from a traumatic brain injury. Last November at the Portland Airport the security guards made me go through the new "AIT - millimeter screening machine." I was not reassured when they said it is perfectly safe for everyone, FDA approved. They would not do a pat-down. After I entered the cylinder, standing straight ahead, arms up two things happened: 1. A strobe flash; 2. a vertical bar swept passed my field of vision. I had immediate prodome, was unable to move, and total orientation confusion x4. I needed assistance to come out of the machine. I remained disoriented and on the plane began to have flashbacks of my original head injury. I had significant mental confusion for months and have not yet regained my status level. I would like to knwo if you have had other TBI people with this AIT problem or know anything about this machine or the radiowave (sic) likeness. Thank you.

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