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New Restrictions On Current EEG

Sun, 02/04/2007 - 21:26
Hi All: I am seeking information for an upcoming EEG Test and consult with a new neurologist. I have been diagonosed with "Focal Epilepsi" in 1998. I have been On Trileptal, Carbazepine,Amitriplyine,Carbidopa,been offered Depakote, but Declined and now am on Clonazapam aka the generic form of Klonapin. My siezures are very painful, and can be detected up to 3 days in advance by my siezure alert dog. I also have limited mobility, nerve damage probably from the siezures being undiagonosed for so long. I had them all thru childhood but was not diagonosed until I was 20. I also suffer from Migraines, Hydrocephalus and Arnold Chiari Malformation. I have 2 Codeman Programmable shunts, one on each side. I am posting this because for my new consult I am being asked to have no more than 5 hours of sleep and no naps the day before and of the EEG Test and Dr's Appt. I was also told not to drink or have any intake of Caffiene. I can however eat and take my medications including my current dosage of Clonazapam. It has been my experience thru EEG's and Video imaging that I do NOT have a siezure during the hook up, but after I return home from the appointment, or later that night. I Would like to know why If I have already been D/n and have been on a medicinal reginmine, WHY am I having another EEG done? Also Why only 5 hours of sleep? I am a co Teacher of 3-5 year olds, and I'm worried that this sleep deprevation will not only aggrivate my siezures, but also my consicousness. IF you have ideas on this It would be greatly appreciated. The Appointment is February 14, 2007 Thankyou for your help Sugaahshock

Comments

Re: New Restrictions On Current EEG

Submitted by Gina Marie on Tue, 2007-02-06 - 13:51
Hi, Have you had any EEG's currently? and are you still having seizures now? I saw a new neurologist today, and he said when a medication doesn't work, they like to start all over again questioning the diagnosis to see if anything has changed. The EEG's i've had lately were sleep deprived, I was told the theory is that sleep deprivation of course triggers seizures. They want them triggered so they can see where the seizures are originating, and where they're going to get a handle on what type you're currently having. It's annoying, but it makes sense. With your medical problems and your concerns regarding you work, have you discussed with this doctor doing just a regular eeg without the sleep deprivation? If historically the regular ones don't show the seizures then they probably aren't worth doing. I hope everything works out alright, good luck.

Re: Re: New Restrictions On Current EEG

Submitted by seizuregurl70 on Thu, 2007-02-08 - 20:17
Seizuregurl70 Just wanna say Good Luck to you on the 14th . I am going for my first week long video EEG on Feb 12th . My thoughs will be with you. Be well.

Re: New Restrictions On Current EEG

Submitted by Sugaahshock on Thu, 2007-02-15 - 01:38
Live your own Life, Love like you've never been hurt, Laugh so you can share the joy! Here's the details of my sleep deprived EEG, they dont' have the results yet, I proably cheated alittle on the sleep thing, but I couldn't physically stay awake, yet now i'm wired go figure lol. Apparently it's not just sleep deprived so that you will sieze, but also so that you will likely take a nap for the remaining 20 mins or so and then they can see your brain at rest. They had my hyperventilate for a total of 3 mins, and during that time apparently it's normal for you to feel tingling ect and I did because you are clearing your brain of the carbon dioide. I had my siezure alert dog with me and they allowed him to lay in the Hospital bed with me! during the test. He was nervous when I had to do the hyperventilating, he wanted to lick my face. But I had him just lay on my chest. And then at the appointment the doctor said she didn't have time to review my past records that I had sent over, but she would, and they want to do a 72 hour EEG on me this weekend if possible, and then if that one is not conclusive they want to do a 7 day one in which I would have to be admitted to the hospital. And She wants a new MRI ordered but I can't have that until it's cleared with my NS because I have 2 codeman programmable shunts. I had it done at a different hospital and I was the first person in WI to get one of these shunts and they are not really highly used yet. And Then The doctor had my mom keep my service dog in the exam room and told me to walk in the hall so she could tell how I walk, And I have a limp b/c I don't have feeling on my left side from my hip to toes. But then she asked me to walk "heel to toe" and I always fail that, but today I failed miserably sleep deprived" and she was like whoa what happend to your feet? I was like I was hoping you could tell me lol. My balance is horrible. And If my mom would have seen that she would have freaked out and wanted to jerk be back into the center! and If my service dog would have seen that he would have been whining, so that he could be next to me in "brace" mode so that I could catch my balance. Then the doctor tested my reflexes which are delayed and otherwise known as "spastic" or reacting beyond what is deemed necessary for the amt of pressure put on. And she asked me if my reflexes were always so Brisk? lol I was like um yah my NS says I have spastic reflexes but doesn't know why. So I guess they are going to look into that also. So that's where I stand now... Still in Limbo, but at least I might be getting somewhere. They are also looking into giving me a different med. but not until something conclusive shows up. I'll keep ya posted!

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