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WADA testing
Sat, 08/13/2005 - 23:39I am having a Wada test in a few weeks. I dont know what to expect other than the vague and somewhat scary description I have read from my doctors. Has anyone been through this teat who can tell me what to expect?
Winders
Comments
RE: WADA testing
Submitted by DianeMcFarlin on Mon, 2005-08-15 - 07:56
Hi! I had the WADA test done in June. I did not find the test scarey, but interesting. Using the catheter (as Megan explained) they put one side of my brain to sleep (speech and memory side). The epileptologist held up one item for nor more than 10 seconds asking me what it was. The items were keys, fork, bowl,...etc ~ everyday items. I tried so hard to say fork, but sounded as if I'd had a stroke. I did the same with bowl. When he showed me the picture a giraffe, I gave him a look of "no way am I going to attempt this word" :)
The med wears off in 3-4 minutes. They put the other side of your brain to sleep. The epi showed me the same items and asked what they were and if I remember seeing them. The first item (keys) I did not remember seeing. The rest of the items I recalled, named them in detail, just to make sure I could talk again. :)
There is no pain. I found it to be quite interesting and I have great empathy for stroke victims who suffer loss of speech. How frustrating it must be. Surgery was scheduled for July...the surgeon broke his arm the week before surgery, so I am on the schedule for sept 13, and very excited.
Good luck!!!!
Diane
Hi! I had the WADA test done in June. I did not find the test scarey, but interesting. Using the catheter (as Megan explained) they put one side of my brain to sleep (speech and memory side). The epileptologist held up one item for nor more than 10 seconds asking me what it was. The items were keys, fork, bowl,...etc ~ everyday items. I tried so hard to say fork, but sounded as if I'd had a stroke. I did the same with bowl. When he showed me the picture a giraffe, I gave him a look of "no way am I going to attempt this word" :)
The med wears off in 3-4 minutes. They put the other side of your brain to sleep. The epi showed me the same items and asked what they were and if I remember seeing them. The first item (keys) I did not remember seeing. The rest of the items I recalled, named them in detail, just to make sure I could talk again. :)
There is no pain. I found it to be quite interesting and I have great empathy for stroke victims who suffer loss of speech. How frustrating it must be. Surgery was scheduled for July...the surgeon broke his arm the week before surgery, so I am on the schedule for sept 13, and very excited.
Good luck!!!!
Diane
RE: RE: WADA testing
Submitted by winders54 on Mon, 2005-08-15 - 12:18
Thanks to all for the responses sent and good links. I am most thankful for the humor shared along with the facts. I have started practicing the word "Giraffe" just in case.... The 6 hour sitting still might be a challenge however.
Bubbymamma, I go in end of Sept. I will be at a teaching hospital so I "invited" an audience. I will be happy to trade stories with you. This sounds like a quick test with some recovery time.
You all have done much to lessen my fear and educate me for what will happen.
Wendy
Thanks to all for the responses sent and good links. I am most thankful for the humor shared along with the facts. I have started practicing the word "Giraffe" just in case.... The 6 hour sitting still might be a challenge however.
Bubbymamma, I go in end of Sept. I will be at a teaching hospital so I "invited" an audience. I will be happy to trade stories with you. This sounds like a quick test with some recovery time.
You all have done much to lessen my fear and educate me for what will happen.
Wendy
RE: RE: RE: WADA testing
Submitted by angel_lts on Mon, 2005-08-15 - 07:46
Yes they freeze the brain on one side by placing dye on each side of the brain. and then the other. They will ask you questions and they want to see if you are able to answer them. Dont worry if you cant, that is just part of the procedure to see where your speech, movement... is located.
I found it to be very neat and interesting test.
The worse part for me was to lay there for six hours afterwards with the legs very still. They do that because of the needle that was placed near the groan. They dont want that area to start bleeding.
http://www.dhmc.org/webpage.cfm?site_id=2&org_id=128&morg_id=0&sec_id=0&gsec_id=5506&item_id=5506
Lisa
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/EpilepsyApproach/
Yes they freeze the brain on one side by placing dye on each side of the brain. and then the other. They will ask you questions and they want to see if you are able to answer them. Dont worry if you cant, that is just part of the procedure to see where your speech, movement... is located.
I found it to be very neat and interesting test.
The worse part for me was to lay there for six hours afterwards with the legs very still. They do that because of the needle that was placed near the groan. They dont want that area to start bleeding.
http://www.dhmc.org/webpage.cfm?site_id=2&org_id=128&morg_id=0&sec_id=0&gsec_id=5506&item_id=5506
Lisa
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/EpilepsyApproach/