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48 Hour Ambulatory EEG

jimells

Senior Member
Messages
2,009
Location
northern Maine
A year ago my neuro wanted me to get an EEG. I said sure, why not? Then they sent me an appointment letter telling me I was supposed to stay awake the night before. I told them to forget it; their protocol would cause lots of harm, and really, just how likely is it that I have seizures that only show up during the sleep/wake transitions?

Two months ago they finally followed up and said they would setup a regular EEG. Imagine my surprise when yesterday's letter was to schedule a 48 hour EEG. It sounds kinda interesting, except for the 21 (count 'em!) leads to be stuck to my head with nearly non-removable paste.

Anybody here ever tried this test? Does it show anything remotely useful? Is is possible to actually sleep with all those wires? I did a mostly sleepless sleep study a few years ago. All that junk stuck all over me was pretty uncomfortable.
 

Sushi

Moderation Resource Albuquerque
Messages
19,935
Location
Albuquerque
@jimells
I have had all those leads stuck on for a sleep study (overnight in a hospital). 48 hours, at home, sounds better and yes, you might get something useful. You can sleep with the wires, but if you move much it gets into a tangle!

Sushi
 

Seven7

Seven
Messages
3,444
Location
USA
I got it done, glue goes away easy with warm water. (I have issues leaving my arms up, and I could do it). Got nothing out of the EEG. The sleep study very usefull to treat stage 4 issues.
 
Messages
15,786
I have had all those leads stuck on for a sleep study (overnight in a hospital). 48 hours, at home, sounds better and yes, you might get something useful. You can sleep with the wires, but if you move much it gets into a tangle!
My wires were taped down and tied up nicely everywhere, so tangling wasn't an issue. Clothing can get complicated though :p
 

JAH

Senior Member
Messages
497
Location
Northern California
A year ago my neuro wanted me to get an EEG. I said sure, why not? Then they sent me an appointment letter telling me I was supposed to stay awake the night before. I told them to forget it; their protocol would cause lots of harm, and really, just how likely is it that I have seizures that only show up during the sleep/wake transitions?

Two months ago they finally followed up and said they would setup a regular EEG. Imagine my surprise when yesterday's letter was to schedule a 48 hour EEG. It sounds kinda interesting, except for the 21 (count 'em!) leads to be stuck to my head with nearly non-removable paste.

Anybody here ever tried this test? Does it show anything remotely useful? Is is possible to actually sleep with all those wires? I did a mostly sleepless sleep study a few years ago. All that junk stuck all over me was pretty uncomfortable.
Hi jimells,
I'm about to have this test done - I'm having seizures - and I'm wondering how it went for you. Did a search on the forum and I think you're the only one. I've had a sleep study, but this is a couple of days in the hospital - did anything useful come out of it?

Thanks, JAH
 

jimells

Senior Member
Messages
2,009
Location
northern Maine
Hi jimells,
I'm about to have this test done - I'm having seizures - and I'm wondering how it went for you. Did a search on the forum and I think you're the only one. I've had a sleep study, but this is a couple of days in the hospital - did anything useful come out of it?

Thanks, JAH

No, I never had the test. They told me I had to travel to the hospital in Bangor (250 mile round trip) to have the wires stuck on, then come back the next day to have them removed. I explained I was too ill to travel, but it made no difference, so I had to cancel it.

I can't understand this - there is a local technician to hook up the wires for EEG at the local hospital (ten miles away), but they can't hook up a mobile unit.

If I were having seizures, I would definitely find some way to get an EEG test.
 

JAH

Senior Member
Messages
497
Location
Northern California
No, I never had the test. They told me I had to travel to the hospital in Bangor (250 mile round trip) to have the wires stuck on, then come back the next day to have them removed. I explained I was too ill to travel, but it made no difference, so I had to cancel it.

I can't understand this - there is a local technician to hook up the wires for EEG at the local hospital (ten miles away), but they can't hook up a mobile unit.

If I were having seizures, I would definitely find some way to get an EEG test.
Wow- that was a fast response, thanks. Too bad you didnt get the test. I'm going in on monday, just concerned that they won't let me sleep late enough...hope i can negotiate that.

I'd say stay safe during the big storm, but you're in Maine, so this is nothing for you, J