[Lui]

Hi!
I will have an EEG next week and I am not exactly sure what to expect. I have to stay up really late and wake up really early for some reason. What will they check for? How is this working? I have no clue! Would love get some infos about it!

[SpaceCadet]

Hi,

I've had 3 EEG's performed on me, so I think I could answer your question.

First of all, they want you to be sleep deprived because the test will be more accurate that way. The purpose of an EEG is to check for abnormal brain waves, such as seizure activity. Make sure you don't have any gel, mousse or hairspray in your hair. They will put some kind of gel on different spots of your head and attach wires to it. Your eyes will be closed for most of the test, they'll flash a strobe light in your face at different speeds (this is to check for photosensitive epilepsy), and they may ask you to hyperventilate yourself by breathing in and out really fast.

The test will be approximately 30-45 min.

Hope this helps.

Nick

[Mark in Idaho]

Lui,

An EEG is no big deal. I have had 5 over the years. Shampoo your hair the morning of the test and do not use a hair conditioner. It will make it easier to get good connections. The electrodes are held against your scalp with springs that push the lead against a spot of conducting gel.

Expect to be tired after the test, especially if it is a sleep deprived EEG with a sleep segment where they watch how your brain waves behave as you fall asleep. I doubt it will show anything abnormal. I was having seizure activity when I was your age but the EEG did not show any evidence of seizure activity.

Don't worry. You will do fine.

My best to you.

[Lui]

Thanks or answering!
So I do have to fall asleep when they connect me to all the wires?

Originally Posted by Mark in Idaho

Lui,

An EEG is no big deal. I have had 5 over the years. Shampoo your hair the morning of the test and do not use a hair conditioner. It will make it easier to get good connections. The electrodes are held against your scalp with springs that push the lead against a spot of conducting gel.

Expect to be tired after the test, especially if it is a sleep deprived EEG with a sleep segment where they watch how your brain waves behave as you fall asleep. I doubt it will show anything abnormal. I was having seizure activity when I was your age but the EEG did not show any evidence of seizure activity.

Don't worry. You will do fine.

My best to you.

[SpaceCadet]

It's not a requirement for you to fall asleep but it's OK if you do.

Here's an article you can read for more info:
http://epilepsy.med.nyu.edu/diagnosi...eg/routine-eeg

That should answer any further questions you might have.

Good luck!

Nick