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wondering about eeg

Fri, 12/23/2005 - 00:23
Hello. I'd much appreciate some feedback on this: I've had inconclusive investigations over the past 3-4 years, since a L temporal lobe abnormality was first found on EEG. I'm not having actual fits or any other classic seizure manifestations, but do have unusual and very disabling episodic events that are still unexplained (that was the reason for the EEG in the first place), as well as unexplained cognitive deficits that cause significant impairment yet don't conform to any classic pattern. CT & MRI haven't shed any light. 18 months on one AED and 6 months on another don't seem to have altered anything. Lately, the specialist I was referred to early in the year told me that my most recent EEG looked 'pretty good, really', so neurology and I should say goodbye to each other. That's fine with me as long as it's really appropriate, but I wasn't so sure when I saw the EEG report itself: 'Alpha rhythm is present at 10 Hz. There is some low amplitude and theta activity over both temporal regions. However from time to time high voltage delta transients occur over the temporal lobe on both left and right hemispheres, perhaps marginally more on the left than on the right but in this EEG quite bilateral. At times during the resting record there is some bilateral generalized sharp wave transients indicating generalized dysrhythmia. No abnormality occurs with photic stimulation. With hyperventilation the development of high voltage slow wave transients is seen bilaterally.' I'm just wondering, should I be quite content with the interpretation of 'pretty good, really' - or perhaps look for a second opinion on this most recent EEG? (Previous recordings have usually found theta over L temporal lobe, sometimes spreading to right, frequent runs of sharp waves, some sharp & slow wave activity, and so forth.) Thanks very much for any thoughts.

Comments

Re: Re: Re: wondering about eeg

Submitted by stillasking on Mon, 2006-01-09 - 21:46
Thanks heaps for those links to articles on eeg. Best I can understand, the finding of theta or delta is regarded as a significant abnormality in awake adults, and sharp plus slow waves seem to be up there with spikes - and that was even on medication (now stopped). Still no neurological diagnosis but I've been experiencing so much impairment and for so long that I don't think I can settle for 'pretty good, really'... time for 2nd opinion. Thanks again, I hope things work out for you, maddie

Re: Re: wondering about eeg

Submitted by stillasking on Mon, 2006-01-09 - 22:24
Hi, I think you're right, I should try to find another dr with a bit more interest in this problem. The articles on this site are great - I've been looking at all the ones I can find about thinking, cognition, etc. and epilepsy. It's so frustrating, I've had these abnormalities at every EEG, and have huge problems with executive functions and mental speed (confirmed by neuropsych testing)... but still no neurological diagnosis. One thing I'm wondering about - can there be such a thing as sub-clinical seizures or seizure activity? My original dr (not a neuro) is still convinced this is TLE, but even if the episodes that she suspects are all seizure-related, i can't understand why my brain would be so useless all the time unless there's a lot more going on. As it is i'm barely able to keep up with 8 hours of work a week, can't organise my thoughts or meet a deadline, haven't driven in 3 years because i knew i wasn't all there, and so the list goes on. 'Pretty good, really'...? I don't think so, doctor! Thanks for writing, this site is a huge help. maddie

Re: wondering about eeg

Submitted by stillasking on Thu, 2006-01-05 - 00:21
Hello again - thank you all very much for the replies. What a great forum, and a top website. Have to skip now, but look forward to writing again in the next days. maddie

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