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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: wondering about eeg

Submitted by solis on Fri, 2005-12-23 - 00:51
Hi Two things have me thinking you are in the UK. Your use of the awful term 'fits' and the fact that you're (obviously) in possession of your medical report as indicated by the jargon. There are about 40 types of seizures and the vast majority are nothing like one sees in the media (what I assume you meant by "classic seizure manifestations") And, if you want answers about epilepsy, I'd strongly suggest going to an epileptologist (a neurologist that sub-specializes) Plain neurologists are like the GPs of the brain. re: ".....do have unusual and very disabling episodic events that are still unexplained" I've left TLE (for 49 years now) ... so tell me about "the unusual and very disabling events". ~sol (in Canada)

Re: wondering about eeg

Submitted by txrhb1 on Fri, 2005-12-23 - 01:09
Hi, I'm certainly no expert on reading EEG's, so can't offer you much insight there. However, I would suggest that you try to get a second opinion, preferably from an epileptologist (a neuro who specializes in epilepsy). I'm not sure if you are on any current AED. If you are, it could be that the AED is controlling some of the seizures. If you are still experiencing these unexplained events, I would certainly continue looking for answers. There is a lot of information available on the homepage of this site on different types of seizures. Take a look at the info on http://www.epilepsy.com/ The information on types of seizures, diagnosis and treatment might help you in your investigations. ((( best of luck ))), Barbie *************************************** "We are each of us angels with only one wing, and we can fly only by embracing each other." -lucian de crescenzo

Re: Re: wondering about eeg

Submitted by kayakmom on Fri, 2005-12-23 - 12:15
Second opinions can be a good idea, especially if you have doubts. Those reports are so tricky since they rattle off so many terms that SOUND abnormal and may not be plus some things sound normal and are not.... I am no expert, but here are some links that might help with the jargon http://www.brown.edu/Departments/Clinical_Neurosciences/louis/eegcrs.html http://www.emedicine.com/neuro/ELECTROENCEPHALOGRAPHY_ATLAS.htm Hope you can get it all clearly explained.

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