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EEG Monitoring Unit

Wed, 07/11/2007 - 20:40
I'm going to an EEG monitoring unit next month, and I don't know what to expect. What happens? Who is there? Does a doctor visit you once a day or two or something? Do they do a neurological exam first? Do they tell your right away if they found seizure activity on the EEG? Do they really use more electrodes than in the ambulatory kind? Do they try to induce a seizure somehow? Are there people falling all over the place from having seizures? Do a bunch of neurologist surround you and poke you and tap on you with sticks and ask you questions like a scene out of the Spanish inquisition! (I've actually had that happen. I was joking about the Spanish Inquisition part.) :D I'm sure every place is different, but I'd like to hear what kind of experiences people have had.

Comments

Re: EEG Monitoring Unit

Submitted by surfsider on Thu, 2007-07-12 - 02:05
I spent a week in the hospital during my 24-hour video EEG and it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. Here's the worst part about the VEEG: * It's impossible to get any sleep because a) there are two dozen electrodes cemented to your head, b) the lights in your room will be on all night so the doctor can see you, and c) no one who works in a hospital at night seems to care how loudly they talk. * You get to spend 24 hours a day in a very small hospital room with your spouse (or your best friend) who is there to help you when your nurse is not available. Neither of you will get any sleep. If you're lucky, you'll still be married (or best friends) when you leave the hospital a week later. * It's very creepy to have a video camera watching you 24 hours a day while you eat, sleep (if you can), and try to remember not to scratch where it itches. And we won't even talk about the hideous hospital gown that is ten sizes too big yet refuses to stay closed in the back. * Your doctor will visit you every morning with the results of the previous day's monitoring. If there were no events, you will get to stay another day. Lucky you! Julie

Re: Re: EEG Monitoring Unit

Submitted by SunflowerPower on Thu, 2007-07-12 - 13:36
I had an amubluatory EEG once, and I found that a neck pillow really helps take the pressure from your head off of those electrodes.

Re: Re: Re: EEG Monitoring Unit

Submitted by surfsider on Sat, 2007-07-14 - 00:49
A neck pillow would have been a really big help!! I wish I had thought to bring one -- it could have saved me several nights of electrode hell! I also wish that I had brought an Ipod or some headphones for my laptop. I got REALLY sick of listening to the golf & poker games my husband insisted on watching 24/7.

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