Hi Countrymom,

I hope I have been of some help to you. The reason why an e.e.g. will not show any problems is because brain damage can be to deep in the brain and when the e.e.g. is being done it can't pick it up or show anything. Also there have been times when I've had to have special e.e.g's done one time I had to stay away for at least 24 hrs. which is called a sleep deprived e.e.g.
Another time my neuro ordered that different color strobe lights be flashed one at a time this can sometimes trigger seizures for a person if they are photosensitive which means certain colors can trigger seizures. I've also had a video e.e.g done (veeg.) and that's when I had to be admitted into the hospital and my neurosurgeon put 7 depth electrodes on my brain and then I was on camera 24 hrs. a day unless I was using the restroom. The Dr. gave me foods that would trigger seizures for me like potato chips and diet soda. Often people go into seizures from using nutra sweet or any other type of artifical sugar because it causes more electrical activity in the brain and it can trigger seizures.
There are many things that can cause epilepsy like the following:
genetics, MS, autism, tramatic brain injury, lack of oxygen, a bad blow to the head, trauma, difficulty at birth, drug and alcohol abuse, and even a bad scare sometimes a person with diabetes can also have epileptic seizures also.
You mentioned where there have been times where you have been missing time. This is what an absence (petit mal) seizure is like. I will start to stare like someone daydreaming and then I blank out not realizing what's going on around me but I will continue to talk to others, and if I'm cooking or doing some type of work I will continue doing it I just don't remember. It's like having amnesia or a better discription is someone who had a few to many drinks and they don't remember driving home or what happened the next day. This type of seizure will last for about 30-45 seconds and then you will probably feel tired and may have a headache. If you notice any of these signs my best advice to you is to have your family Dr. refer you to see an
Epileptologist (Dr. specializing in Epilepsy) and be sure you go to an Epilepsy Center which are usually at University or Big Hospitals. You will get the help you need seeing a Epileptologist because they are better educated in epilepsy and in detailed neurology.
From this point on keep track of your seizures get a calendar and write down any time you might have had a seizure along with a discription of the seizure. Also be sure to write down when you start and stop your monthly cycle because hormones changing each month can trigger seizures also.
I'm sorry to hear that your daughter has seizures. I have cousins with seizures also. I found taking vitamin B12 1000 mcg. once a day a great way to help reduce seizure along with the ketogenic diet. Have your daughter cut back on the carbs. and starch foods and start eating foods high in fat. This will build keytones in her system and the keytones will reduce or stop her seizures. You can give it a try also if you want to. You will have to see a dietician and you can buy the book titled: The Epilepsy Diet Treatment by Dr. John Freeman who works at Hopkins University.
I'm sorry to carry on so much. I wish you and your family only the best of luck and May God Bless All of You!

Sue