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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 lgro002 on Thu, 2013-03-07 - 14:05
No problem! Yes I had grids implanted 2/9/2012, and the surgery 2/23/2012, and I've been seizure free since!!!!! :)

Re: The Wada Test

Submitted by jennagg on Wed, 2013-03-06 - 13:41

I had a WADA test in 2010 prior to my temporal lobectomy (they really did remove the whole right temporal lobe!)

My neurologist showed me a bunch of objects and photos prior to the test, then during the test he would show me something, ask me to identify it and whether he had showed it to me before.  During the procedure they had me hold my arm straight up.  For the right side of the brain I didn't notice anything different.  For the left side - wow!  When he showed me an object I looked at it and had that feeling you get when you can't think of a word, like it's on the tip of your tongue.  Only that was true for all words - it was amazing!  I had no words.  I also noticed that my right arm had dropped to my side.

I was uncomfortable when they inserted the line in my groin, and the doctor was surprised by the amount of discomfort I had, so I think I was unusual in that.  I didn't have anyone with me, but they had me in a gown and everything and was instructed not to touch my face or anything.  There was a nurse there to scratch my itches for me.

After the procedure you have to lay flat on your back for 6 hours while they ply you with juices and water.  I found using a bedpan to be difficult, but it gets to a point where you just have to go.  A friend came to pick me up and I spent the weekend at her house, which was good because I didn't feel like doing much.

I was 49 years old when I had the procedure done; I had also had an angiogram done before my first surgery when I was 28.  The second time was much more difficult, but perhaps that was because the test was longer.

The second surgery was a complete success, I have been seizure free for over 2 years and am now going off my medication.  After 35 years with epilepsy it feels like a miracle to me.  Good luck!

Jenna

I had a WADA test in 2010 prior to my temporal lobectomy (they really did remove the whole right temporal lobe!)

My neurologist showed me a bunch of objects and photos prior to the test, then during the test he would show me something, ask me to identify it and whether he had showed it to me before.  During the procedure they had me hold my arm straight up.  For the right side of the brain I didn't notice anything different.  For the left side - wow!  When he showed me an object I looked at it and had that feeling you get when you can't think of a word, like it's on the tip of your tongue.  Only that was true for all words - it was amazing!  I had no words.  I also noticed that my right arm had dropped to my side.

I was uncomfortable when they inserted the line in my groin, and the doctor was surprised by the amount of discomfort I had, so I think I was unusual in that.  I didn't have anyone with me, but they had me in a gown and everything and was instructed not to touch my face or anything.  There was a nurse there to scratch my itches for me.

After the procedure you have to lay flat on your back for 6 hours while they ply you with juices and water.  I found using a bedpan to be difficult, but it gets to a point where you just have to go.  A friend came to pick me up and I spent the weekend at her house, which was good because I didn't feel like doing much.

I was 49 years old when I had the procedure done; I had also had an angiogram done before my first surgery when I was 28.  The second time was much more difficult, but perhaps that was because the test was longer.

The second surgery was a complete success, I have been seizure free for over 2 years and am now going off my medication.  After 35 years with epilepsy it feels like a miracle to me.  Good luck!

Jenna

Re: The Wada Test

Submitted by Fawn1981 on Wed, 2013-03-06 - 14:32

 Thank you Jenna, that helped a lot.  I'm glad to hear that everything worked for you and you no longer have seizures.  Hopefully the same will happen for me =)

 

Fawn

 Thank you Jenna, that helped a lot.  I'm glad to hear that everything worked for you and you no longer have seizures.  Hopefully the same will happen for me =)

 

Fawn

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