My son saw the Neurologist today and he did talk about seizure after we explained what happened. He is scheduling a sleep deprived EEG. Can anyone give me any info on that...like how long does it take etc?

We also talked about how my son doesn't sleep well and his migraines. He wants us to keep a journal for this migraines etc for the next 3 months and then we will go back for a follow up appointment.

Sorry I have another question or two....I have been thinking about things...when he was a baby he used to spread out all his limbs and go really stiff and it was like he was holding his breath. Then he would start to cry like crazy. This was when he was 2-6 months old. At the time they thought it was bowl craps. Now I'm not so sure.

Then from the age of 4-7 he would sleep walk. We would find him asleep in crazy places in the morning.

Think any of the above is relevant?

Hi lynxgal,
I'm no Dr. but there could be a possibility that your son was having seizures in his sleep, and also when he was 2-6 months old. If you haven't mentioned this to his neuro please be sure and tell him there might be a connection. The brain is the most active when a person is asleep and he could have been having seizures.
In regards to the sleep deprived e.e.g. it usually takes about 1 hour or a little longer. Your son will have to stay up all night and then when he goes to have the e.e.g. done they will put electrodes all over his head with a electrical cream. It doesn't hurt at all. After the electrodes are put on him they will possibly start flashing a strobe light slowly and then faster and faster and this could trigger a seizure. The e.e.g. test will be able to read 8 areas of his brain and if there's any problems they will be able to tell what area of the brain the possible seizures are coming from, there have been cases where the brain damage is in to deep for some people and the e.e.g. can't find any problems if that happens the neuro may want to do more tests. Here's wishing you and your son the best of luck. May God Bless You Both!

Sue

Please, Please , Please, be very careful when talking about epilepsy. I am crippled because of unnecessary Antiepileptic drugs.
The modern way of diagnosing is for an Epileptologist (experienced in epilepsy neurologist) to actually witness a seizure, then to do an EEG test within the hour.
There are many things that can cause seizures that are not epileptic.
Consider: The neurologist prescribes drugs to stop seizures, then the Neurologist runs an EEG test. If drugs have been given to stop the seizures, what does the Neurologist expect to find on the EEG?
The sleep EEG is to try to see any problems whilst the patient sleeps, The brain should be quieter when this is done and any ictal spikes will be more obvious.

Thank you everyone for the replies. I wanted to give a quick update before I get some much needed sleep LOL.

My son had his sleep deprived EEG this morning. Wow what a task trying to keep him awake from about 3:30 on. We did it though. He went a full 24 hours without sleep prior to the test.

I did not stay in the room as I was afraid I would be fidgity and bother him. I asked him about the test and he definately fell a sleep. The only part he really remembers is the stobe light. It brought on colourful spots with eyes closed (did that with me too when I had it done-we are both migraine suffers). He said the fast strobe did not bother him but the slow strobe did.

He said the slow strobe made him feel anxious and scared and he didn't know why. Anyone else have that feeling? He sees his Neuro mid October for a followup.

Hi lynxgal,

I've had the same test as your son and the bright flashing stobe lights didn't make me feel the same way as your son but it did make me more nervous and it caused me to have more sz. when certain colors were flashing. This is when my neuro found out that I was phtosensitive which means certain colors can trigger sz. for me. I wish your son and you only the best and May God Bless the Both of You!

Sue