My EEG Experience at Gold Coast University Hospital: First Step After a Seizure

suvisjournalism

I’m sharing my recent health journey after experiencing a seizure at home a few weeks ago. I underwent an EEG (electroencephalogram) at Gold Coast University Hospital to monitor my brain wave activity. The process was surprisingly relaxing—small gold disc electrodes were placed on my scalp, and the test took only 20 minutes in a comfy chair. They even tested me with flashing strobe lights to check for seizure triggers (thankfully, all clear!).    A camera in the machine recorded me for the neurologist’s review, which wasn’t as awkward as I expected. As a busy mum, my mind was racing with thoughts of work and chores, so no napping for me, even though they said I could!    This EEG is the first of three tests, with a cardiac stress test and an MRI brain scan coming next. All results will be reviewed at the First Seizure Clinic.    Follow my health journey for more updates! https://direct.me/suvisjournalism

Transcript

00:00So I'm here at Gold Coast University Hospital for the EEG now.

00:04So this is the first of the medical tests I've been referred to after that seizure.

00:10And I did find out more about it, like I mentioned in a live stream,

00:14that I have to have all these medical tests now.

00:18And because I've had a first seizure,

00:20they're then going to compile all these results

00:22and refer me to what's called the first seizure clinic.

00:26And they do think that it was because of the low salt, so hyperneutrinia.

00:31But I guess they're just going through all these tests

00:34just to rule out any sort of other underlying causes that there may be.

00:40And today's EEG is going to be electrodes stuck to my scalp.

00:46And so excuse my voice,

00:47I've still got this really horrible Queensland flu that's going around.

00:53And this year, Australia's been hit really badly.

00:57And Queensland's the worst state.

00:59And of course, I live in Queensland,

01:00so I've got a mask on that I'll be wearing in there.

01:03But they put little, I think, silver electrodes over your scalp.

01:07And then I think they get you to do things like,

01:10I think they flash lights at you

01:12and maybe get you to do certain eye movements.

01:17And someone videos it apparently as someone else is doing tests on you.

01:22I think it's a neurophysiologist or something that,

01:26or someone who's doing these tests.

01:27And they're just recording your electrical activity in your brain

01:32just to see if there's any underlying epileptic activity.

01:37So I'm very much hoping that that's not the case.

01:40But anyway, we'll see.

01:42And they're mowing the lawn right near us.

01:44So the cut grass actually smells really good.

01:47And it's beautiful hospital grounds.

01:49But we'll go in now and we'll see.

01:51We'll get this test done.

01:52And I'll talk to you afterwards and let you know what it was like.

01:57Cool.

02:22So this is the room I'm in.

02:28And I'm about to get the test.

02:31Scary machine.

02:38So I've all set up now.

02:41I think I've got the electrodes on now.

02:44Yeah, I do.

02:46I can feel the wires.

02:48And so they just scrub your scalp a little bit

02:50and put a little bit of paste on.

02:52And then I've got the electrodes on.

02:54And now it's going to be 20 minutes of just some nice, peaceful...

02:59I'm going to have some lights on me at one point, I think.

03:02But it's actually going to be a chance to actually relax.

03:08Apparently I can just sort of sit back here.

03:11And if I fall asleep, that's all good.

03:13So 20 minutes of this.

03:15Good night.

03:19So the test is done.

03:21Well, that feels really good, actually, to get one out of three done.

03:25So now I've still got the cardiac test to go and the MRI brain.

03:29Apparently there's quite a wait list for that, though, the MRI brain.

03:32But anyway, she said that was all good.

03:35It was a weird...

03:36I mean, the strobe lights, they did.

03:38It was kind of like a fluorescent light strip.

03:42And they just flashed it in different sort of circular...

03:46Well, not circular, sorry.

03:47Just different formations, really.

03:50But they did not bother me at all.

03:52I didn't like looking straight at the lights,

03:54but just a little bit above or below the lights.

03:57Didn't affect me at all.

03:59Then she said, just lay back in the chair and go to sleep if you want.

04:02I couldn't sleep.

04:03I tried to, but I couldn't because I kept thinking, oh, I should, you know,

04:08I wanted to just check my phone or do some work because I was sort of lying there.

04:12So I'm a classic type A personality.

04:15Didn't really like sort of wasting type.

04:18But, yeah, it was fine.

04:20I didn't feel anything.

04:22She said it was all good.

04:23So now they're just going to compile those results

04:26and with the other two tests that are still coming,

04:29and then I'll go to the first seizure clinic.

04:32So test doesn't hurt.

04:34Didn't worry me.

04:35I didn't have a seizure.

04:38So, yeah, that's done, and it feels good to have it done.

Category

Transcript

Recommended