Will this EEG determine once and for all if I have having increased seizure activity?

In an earlier post I mentioned my neurologist was thinking about having me hooked up to an EEG thing-y.

According to Wikipedia, "Electroencephalography (EEG) is the recording of electrical activity along the scalp produced by the firing of neurons within the brain." According to Shannon, a friend studying neurology, the EEG is a badass at detecting seizures.

Yesterday Dr. P. decided he is making it a "priority" for me to have an EEG next week. Coincidentally, I also have a visit to the neuro-oncologist next week.

Surprisingly--or maybe not so surprisingly--I am excited about getting this done. As long as knives aren't involved, I think it is cool to learn as much as possible about my brain. I've had pictures (CT scans and MRIs), and surgeries (tissue samples), but now I get a graph!

Despite my excitement, I'm not sure what this will do for me. We already know why I have seizures (brain tumor in the parietal lobe). From my explanation about the new types of sensations I've been having my neuro-oncologist thinks they aren't seizures. But my neurologist thinks they are seizures.

Perhaps this EEG is a way to figure out which doctor is right and I am the lab rat. But I don't care. I just want proof that I've having a seizure so I can say, "See! I told you so!"

My only worry is that no seizure-y sensation will happen while I'm hooked up to the machine.

Liz Salmi

Liz Salmi is Communications & Patient Initiatives Director for OpenNotes at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston. Over the last 15 years Liz has been: a research subject; an advisor in patient stakeholder groups; a leader in “patient engagement” research initiatives; and an innovator, educator and investigator in national educational and research projects. Today her work focuses on involving patients and care partners in the co-design of research and research dissemination. It is rumored Liz was the drummer in a punk rock band.

https://thelizarmy.com
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From beginning to end: this was my EEG experience

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