Community Forum Archive
The Epilepsy Community Forums are closed, and the information is archived. The content in this section may not be current or apply to all situations. In addition, forum questions and responses include information and content that has been generated by epilepsy community members. This content is not moderated. The information on these pages should not be substituted for medical advice from a healthcare provider. Experiences with epilepsy can vary greatly on an individual basis. Please contact your doctor or medical team if you have any questions about your situation. For more information, learn about epilepsy or visit our resources section.
Strips and Grids???
Thu, 12/20/2007 - 16:47Hello everyone I was wondering has anyone had the strips and grids test done. I am having surgery within the next year and have been told that my next step after therapy is the "strips and grids" Now from what I understand this is the test where they drill the holes in your head and put the eeg right on your brain. But I would like to learn more about it I feel better going through a test when I know more about it. Has anyone done it or have a link or further infomration about it?? Or could you even just tell me how it works??? I will admit this one kinda scares me..invasive eeesh!
Thanks
Sassy
Comments
Hi Sassy, There's
Submitted by Anonymous on Mon, 2008-01-14 - 15:21
Hi Sassy,
There's detailed info on invasive electrodes on the professional site of epilepsy.com, but there's pictures of the electrodes on the brain. Some people don't like to see brain pics, but if you want to, see this page - http://professionals.epilepsy.com/page/surgery_electrodes.html .
The biggest thing to remember is to plan enough time for this testing. It is a major procedure, though still only diagnostic. You won't know if you're a good surgical candidate to have the site of seizures removed until you go thru this. And just doing this phase may take days to few weeks or even more! After they place the electrodes and do the recording, if you're found to be a surgical candidate, some surgeons will do the resective surgery when they take the strips and grids out. Or they may just remove the grid/strips and go back in later and remove the area causing the seizures.
Having realistic expectations is very important. Someone can go through a lengthy procedure and not be a candidate for surgery, or have resective surgery but not get complete control of seizures. Yet even people who don't have complete seizure control, may be helped if seizures are less intense or can be better controlled with a combination of surgery and medicines.
Make sure to ask the surgical team you are working with to talk to an epilepsy nurse who can walk you through each step of the procedure and help you with the practical stuff! A good counselor/social worker is very helpful - for the person going thru it as well as the family!
Good luck!
Epi_help
Epi_help Resource Specialist
Hi Sassy,
There's detailed info on invasive electrodes on the professional site of epilepsy.com, but there's pictures of the electrodes on the brain. Some people don't like to see brain pics, but if you want to, see this page - http://professionals.epilepsy.com/page/surgery_electrodes.html .
The biggest thing to remember is to plan enough time for this testing. It is a major procedure, though still only diagnostic. You won't know if you're a good surgical candidate to have the site of seizures removed until you go thru this. And just doing this phase may take days to few weeks or even more! After they place the electrodes and do the recording, if you're found to be a surgical candidate, some surgeons will do the resective surgery when they take the strips and grids out. Or they may just remove the grid/strips and go back in later and remove the area causing the seizures.
Having realistic expectations is very important. Someone can go through a lengthy procedure and not be a candidate for surgery, or have resective surgery but not get complete control of seizures. Yet even people who don't have complete seizure control, may be helped if seizures are less intense or can be better controlled with a combination of surgery and medicines.
Make sure to ask the surgical team you are working with to talk to an epilepsy nurse who can walk you through each step of the procedure and help you with the practical stuff! A good counselor/social worker is very helpful - for the person going thru it as well as the family!
Good luck!
Epi_help
Epi_help Resource Specialist
Thank you
Submitted by SassyMindy on Sun, 2007-12-30 - 09:15
Thank you and good luck with your VNS you will be in my prayers as well. I hope it works out for you!