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The Wada Test

Wed, 03/06/2013 - 10:51
Can any of you explain your experience through the Wada test for me?  What was it like having half of your brain put to sleep?  Did you even realize it?  Do you speak with the doctor while the brain is sleeping?  How much did the catheter hurt or bother you?  Can others sit in t he room with you?  What kind of questions are asked?  If there is anything else you'd like to share, please do!

Comments

Re: The Wada Test

Submitted by pkdz on Wed, 2013-03-06 - 14:53

I had the WADA test in 2008.  What I remember the most was the discrepancy between the two sides, when it came to speech and memory.  I had scar tissue in my right temporal lobe, which was causing my seizures.  When just my right side was awake, I had trouble naming some objects and I only remembered about 25% of the pictures I had been shown.  When it was just my left side awake (and my right side asleep), I could name most of the objects and my memory test was 100%.   This revealed to me that the side I was having surgery on was already majorly affected by my seizures.  My left temporal lobe was already doing the heavy lifting!  I didn't find the test uncomfortable or painful; the recovery was not a problem.

These results also lined up with my MRI, which showed the scar tissue (caused by grand mal seizures when I was young) and they lined up with my videotaped EEG (which showed 15 seizures, all coming from the right temporal lobe.  My surgery was successful.  Good luck to you.

 

I had the WADA test in 2008.  What I remember the most was the discrepancy between the two sides, when it came to speech and memory.  I had scar tissue in my right temporal lobe, which was causing my seizures.  When just my right side was awake, I had trouble naming some objects and I only remembered about 25% of the pictures I had been shown.  When it was just my left side awake (and my right side asleep), I could name most of the objects and my memory test was 100%.   This revealed to me that the side I was having surgery on was already majorly affected by my seizures.  My left temporal lobe was already doing the heavy lifting!  I didn't find the test uncomfortable or painful; the recovery was not a problem.

These results also lined up with my MRI, which showed the scar tissue (caused by grand mal seizures when I was young) and they lined up with my videotaped EEG (which showed 15 seizures, all coming from the right temporal lobe.  My surgery was successful.  Good luck to you.

 

Re: The Wada Test

Submitted by bella0809 on Wed, 2013-03-06 - 19:32

Hi Fawn,

I had it in 2005 (and have been sz-free since surgery). I was scared to have this test done and it really wasn't that bad.  They go in by the groin (I think femoral artery) and up through your body.  THat didn't hurt.  I did get warm as the fluid went through the body.  My bad side is the left side, so when that side was affected, I was fine.  When they switched to knock out my good side (the right side) I lost my ability to speak, as I would when I had seizures, but didn't have the fear that I'd have if seizing.   The doc went through the props that I was supposed to identify and while I knew what was going on, I couldn't say a thing.  Once that side was no longer affected by the med I was back to normal.  You need to lay down for hours before you can leave, I guess to heal the incision to your artery.  I passed the test to leave, but when I bent over to tie my shoe, I passed out and wound up being admitted for the night.  So take your time when you're looking to leave.

I highly recommend surgery.  No meds worked for me and I waited far too long before going the surgery route (36 years).  I am now seizure-free over 7 years and med-free 3 years.  I had the surgery done at NYULMC with Dr. Doyle.  

Ann

Hi Fawn,

I had it in 2005 (and have been sz-free since surgery). I was scared to have this test done and it really wasn't that bad.  They go in by the groin (I think femoral artery) and up through your body.  THat didn't hurt.  I did get warm as the fluid went through the body.  My bad side is the left side, so when that side was affected, I was fine.  When they switched to knock out my good side (the right side) I lost my ability to speak, as I would when I had seizures, but didn't have the fear that I'd have if seizing.   The doc went through the props that I was supposed to identify and while I knew what was going on, I couldn't say a thing.  Once that side was no longer affected by the med I was back to normal.  You need to lay down for hours before you can leave, I guess to heal the incision to your artery.  I passed the test to leave, but when I bent over to tie my shoe, I passed out and wound up being admitted for the night.  So take your time when you're looking to leave.

I highly recommend surgery.  No meds worked for me and I waited far too long before going the surgery route (36 years).  I am now seizure-free over 7 years and med-free 3 years.  I had the surgery done at NYULMC with Dr. Doyle.  

Ann

Re: The Wada Test

Submitted by SteveK on Thu, 2013-03-07 - 12:14

Let me comment too.  I just had my Wada January 7.  I was far too nervous and that was unnecessary.  Starting the angiogram in the groin was annoying but a got a second “hit” of lidocaine and we went on.  The doctors we’re actually having a good time and the whole situation was very relaxed.  It wasn’t worth losing any sleep over. 

I have mesial temporal sclerosis in the left hemisphere.

It was amazing as they tested their location in my left hemisphere using “contrast.”  I felt a rush in my left eyelid and told them they were in the right location.  It was amazing.  The Amytal put my left hemisphere to sleep and I was shown 11 cards and asked to read what I saw and remember it.  I laughed continuously when I knew what I was looking at, yet couldn’t pronounce the word, sentence or picture I was looking at.  I still laugh about it.  I really failed on the language portion here, but scored 7 of 11 when they tested my memory after the Amytal wore off.

They then did the same thing on the right hemisphere.  I still want to know how they moved the angiogram from the left to the right side!  On that side my language function was 100%, but memory was 3 or 11 items.

In my case, they used a new type of plug in my artery in my groin and I only had to lay flat for 90 minutes or so…then I got sent home.  I know three other people through my local Epilepsy Alliance of Orange County…and they all think the Wada was an amazing experience.  You won’t regret doing it.  Please move forward.  Good luck.

I am.  I’ll be going in to the hospital for intercranial monitoring, brain mapping and a temporal lobectomy in May!  I’m excited to move forward.

Let me comment too.  I just had my Wada January 7.  I was far too nervous and that was unnecessary.  Starting the angiogram in the groin was annoying but a got a second “hit” of lidocaine and we went on.  The doctors we’re actually having a good time and the whole situation was very relaxed.  It wasn’t worth losing any sleep over. 

I have mesial temporal sclerosis in the left hemisphere.

It was amazing as they tested their location in my left hemisphere using “contrast.”  I felt a rush in my left eyelid and told them they were in the right location.  It was amazing.  The Amytal put my left hemisphere to sleep and I was shown 11 cards and asked to read what I saw and remember it.  I laughed continuously when I knew what I was looking at, yet couldn’t pronounce the word, sentence or picture I was looking at.  I still laugh about it.  I really failed on the language portion here, but scored 7 of 11 when they tested my memory after the Amytal wore off.

They then did the same thing on the right hemisphere.  I still want to know how they moved the angiogram from the left to the right side!  On that side my language function was 100%, but memory was 3 or 11 items.

In my case, they used a new type of plug in my artery in my groin and I only had to lay flat for 90 minutes or so…then I got sent home.  I know three other people through my local Epilepsy Alliance of Orange County…and they all think the Wada was an amazing experience.  You won’t regret doing it.  Please move forward.  Good luck.

I am.  I’ll be going in to the hospital for intercranial monitoring, brain mapping and a temporal lobectomy in May!  I’m excited to move forward.

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