Epilepsy Testing
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Once a seizure takes place, neurologists and epileptologists may recommend a variety of tests. They are looking for clues that can tell them where in your brain the seizures are taking place. This helps them determine what they need to do to help reduce or stop your seizures.
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The best epilepsy diagnosis and treatment plans come from epileptologists, which are neurologist's who specialize in epilepsy and seizures. Click this link to find a Level 3 or 4 Epilepsy Center in your area, and enter your zip code. For more information, contact Leigh Goldie at 216-342-4167.
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First, you will have a complete physical and neurological exam. During that time, they ask about your seizure history:
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Can you describe what happened?
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Where were you when it happened?
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What were you doing before the seizure took place?
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What happened during the seizure?
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How long did it last?
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How did you feel after the seizure?
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Did you injure yourself during the seizure?
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Providing accurate and detailed answers to those specific questions, in addition to the exam, can help doctors determine the next steps.
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They will also ask any loved ones who may have witnessed the seizure to describe what they saw. For family members, the questions are similar to the ones above. Providing accurate details, or a video of the seizure, can help the doctors make a more accurate diagnosis.
Right before or after the exam, they may recommend a variety of tests to learn more about your seizures. These may include some of the following tests highlighted below:
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An MRI – Magnetic Resonance Imaging, takes pictures of your brain to help discover if there is any scar tissue or other abnormalities that might be causing seizures.
After any of those tests are performed, your epileptologist will meet with you to let you know what they have discovered and what the next steps will be specifically for your case. Please note that what works for one person will not necessarily work for another as seizures can be different, can come from different places in your brain, and respond differently to medications. Make sure to ask your doctor any questions you have about the test results.
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Going into the Epilepsy Monitoring Unit?
What should I expect?
An EEG is used to measure electrical activity in your brain. It allows doctors to see what is normal electrical activity, and what is abnormal activity.
Providing more data about your seizures allows doctors to more accurately diagnose and treat epilepsy. One way for doctors to get more data about your specific seizures is to have you go into the Epilepsy Monitoring Unit. People with epilepsy may go through this two different times:
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30 - 90 Minute EEG: Often before you see an epileptologist for the first time, your doctor will ask you to have a 30 - 90 minute EEG. They will do a variety of things to see if they can provoke a seizure or find interictal spikes - seizure activity taking place in the brain, even when you are not having a seizure.
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Sleep Study: Your doctor will have you go in to have an EEG before you go to sleep. This measures your brain activity while you sleep.
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Extended EEG: After you have tried at least one anti-seizure medication, and your seizures are not controlled, your doctor may want to have an extended EEG. If they found no helpful information in the shorter EEG, they may want you to come in for a 24 hour EEG, a sleep study to see if you are having nocturnal seizures - seizures taking place at night, or a longer EEG lasting 3 - 5 days (or as long as needed) to capture a seizure. This helps with getting an epilepsy diagnosis, and provides your doctor with more information as to which antiseizure medication may work better for you.
You will be hooked up to the EEG - Electroencephalograph, where the EEG Technologist will glue electrodes connected to wires that will monitor your brain all over your scalp. Once the electrodes are glued, they will connect the wires to the EEG, and they will begin monitoring your brain waves.
You will then stay in bed, or sit in the chair next to the bed as they monitor your brain waves. You cannot walk away from the EEG without it being unplugged first to, for example, use the bathroom. A nurse will need to help you go to the bathroom each time, as you will need to be watched, in case you have a seizure.
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You will need to bring things you like to do to keep you busy. Things you can do or bring include:
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Watching movies
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Puzzles
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Word Searches
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Art - coloring or drawing
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Video games
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Listen to music
Anything that you personally like to do should be on this list.
Empowering Epilepsy Donates
250 Gift Bags Annually to Patients
Empowering Epilepsy donates 250 gift bags annually to patients in the Epilepsy Monitoring Units of 5 local Level 4 Epilepsy Centers. This donation helps to make a person with epilepsy's stay in the Epilepsy Monitoring Unit more enjoyable, as they are required to remain in their hospital beds, while testing can last for an average of 3 - 5 days. Most often, they are there so the doctors can determine where in their brain their seizures are taking place. Thanks to all of the donors and foundations who have supported this project.