Today I had to go for a visual evoked potential test to check for optic neuritis. When the technician explained the procedure to me and my husband, she told my husband that he can go walk around the hospital, get some coffee or breakfast because it could go up to three to four hours. Which is what I kind of expected myself.

So she puts the ten electrodes on my head. We cover my right eye. I focus on the dot in the middle of the screen (at least to the best of my ability) and the black and white checkers come on. Uh, can you say instant headache. We did this for about two minutes, rest eye and do again. Then cover my left eye. Did the same thing, but did it twice.

Technician says she needs to show the doctor the results of this test and she will be right back in. She comes back and says "o.k. we have everything we need, you're done", calls my husbands cell phone and begins to take of the electrodes. All of this within ONE HOUR.

UMMM, What happened to the could be three to four hours? She didn't say anything, just that "we have what we need". IS THIS GOOD OR BAD

Anyone with any input, I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you in advance.

M

Hi! I hated that test. I got so dizzy while those checkered squares were jumping around. I had a headache when it was over.

Sometimes people freak out when the checkered board starts flashing and they have to start over! I had one done and it took about an hour.

I wouldn't worry about it!

Thanks for your replies. I guess what I am wondering is the part where she said "we have what we need, you're all done". Is that good or bad? Does that mean they saw clearly that I have optic neuritis or they saw clearly that I don't and there were no other reasons to go on with further test?

I am just so confused.

Any help, comments would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

M

There is no way to know for sure hsb73. It could be either reason.

Cherie

Hi hurtssobad73:

A complete set of evoked potentials might take 4 hours. That's probably why you were given that info.

During one EP I could not feel the electrical impulse in my left leg. The technician changed the electrode position several times and repeated the test. I told him he could turn it up a bit, he responded with "I have everything I need, turning it up would only hurt you".

I did feel the other spots. All my EP's were normal.

So a remark like the technician made to you is generic, he/she simply got the information they needed.

My VEP took less than 10 minutes because I was already hooked up for the others. It takes a while to get the electrodes on. An hour for a VEP would be just about right.

Hope you get the results soon and it is good news.

20 minutes, 4 electrodes on my head one on each ankle. I had the VEP, autitory, and the SSEP. they said they were normal although the auitory ones the two sides looked totally different.
Pat

I had a VEP done too, several years ago.

It took about an hour from what I recall. Same thing you describe: about 15 or so electrodes and look one eye at a time at flashing checkerboards.

It showed mild degradation in signal on my left eye (OS) while I was in an ON episode.

I had a VEP done 11 years ago. It made me dizzy..LOL!!
My results were neg. It took 9 Other doc. before I was diagnosed with ms.
Tammy

VEPs are rarely ever more than about 20 minutes....