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What type of tests do they do to diagnose seizures? PLS HLP!
Wed, 12/08/2004 - 12:02After having an EEG, a 24 hr. EEG, and an MRI which all came back normal, my neuro dismissed the notion that I have seizures.
Since I remained alert and conscious during my "seizures" he decided to label them pseudoseizures instead. Now 5 months later, from reading about simple partial seizures, I believe this is what I have. I made an appointment with an epilepsy center in a major hospital. They told me to bring my old tests.
I am just wondering what other kind of tests they will be doing to try to make a diagnosis? One neuro that I sought out for a second opinion suggested a 72 hr video EEG, but he never followed through on the paperwork with the hospital and it fell through the cracks. I wish I would have gotten on his case about it sooner, and maybe I could have learned about this sooner. Maybe this isn't what it is, but 5 months since my first episode, they haven't really found anything else, and I've been to a cardiologist, hematologist, and a endocrinologist, along with my internist and the neurologist.
Thanks,
Theresa
Comments
RE: RE: What type of tests do they do to diagnose seizures? PLS
Submitted by theresab72 on Sat, 2004-11-20 - 17:24
I haven't found out anything more than the standard EEG, video EEG (they actually video tape you while you are wearing the EEG in the hospital for a few days), the MRI, cat scan of the brain, blood work and urinalysis (to rule out other things I think).
I've had most of those except for the video EEG. I also had a 24 hour EEG where they put the EEG on with some sort of super glue (it must have been-it took 3-4 days to get all the glue out of my hair and off of my scalp!) and I wore it home for 24 hours and wrote down every time I ate, drank, went to the bathroom, talked on the phone, stood up, sat down, basically everything I did for 24 hours, even sleep. The results--normal, after all of that. I had no symptoms on that day!
I am curious what kinds of tests people on this board were actually diagnosed with. Like what test did they have that made the doctor say "you have epilepsy." Because my normal EEG's and MRI made my doc say, you don't have seizures. And after seeing every other specialist I can think of and ruling everything else out, I still think I do.
That's why I made an appointment with an epilepsy center in a hospital near me. Maybe my neurologist just isn't up on his epilepsy info. Someone at an epilepsy center deals with it all the time and will be able to tell me without doubt yes or no and I will be able to walk away feeling confident in that answer. Maybe you should look into that for your husband.
Good luck and let me know what happens! Theresa
I haven't found out anything more than the standard EEG, video EEG (they actually video tape you while you are wearing the EEG in the hospital for a few days), the MRI, cat scan of the brain, blood work and urinalysis (to rule out other things I think).
I've had most of those except for the video EEG. I also had a 24 hour EEG where they put the EEG on with some sort of super glue (it must have been-it took 3-4 days to get all the glue out of my hair and off of my scalp!) and I wore it home for 24 hours and wrote down every time I ate, drank, went to the bathroom, talked on the phone, stood up, sat down, basically everything I did for 24 hours, even sleep. The results--normal, after all of that. I had no symptoms on that day!
I am curious what kinds of tests people on this board were actually diagnosed with. Like what test did they have that made the doctor say "you have epilepsy." Because my normal EEG's and MRI made my doc say, you don't have seizures. And after seeing every other specialist I can think of and ruling everything else out, I still think I do.
That's why I made an appointment with an epilepsy center in a hospital near me. Maybe my neurologist just isn't up on his epilepsy info. Someone at an epilepsy center deals with it all the time and will be able to tell me without doubt yes or no and I will be able to walk away feeling confident in that answer. Maybe you should look into that for your husband.
Good luck and let me know what happens! Theresa
RE: What type of tests do they do to diagnose seizures? PLS HLP!
Submitted by jstrfic on Sat, 2004-11-20 - 16:14
I don't wish to be intrusive, but I'm desparately trying to find the same answers you are. My husband started major seizure activity a year ago last July...he's had a total of two that landed him in emergency both times (we've been married 18 years.... who knew). Up until then he had what we refer to as his 'moments'. I've been describing the symptoms to many doctors for years and none of them know what it is. The doctors and hospitals that he has gone to have given him urinalysis, blood tests, EKG's, EEG's, Catscans and MRIs.... none of which showed anything, even when he was in a full-blown seizure this last year!! PBS had a program not long ago caleld the 'Mind Detective' about a neurologist (very cutting edge) who was attempting different methods of discovery when it came to seizures. I'm trying to find out more, so that we can get to the bottom of this issue. If you care to contact me, I'd be very happy to......if not, well, good luck with your search. Sincerely, jstrfic