Question: I had a resting eeg done about 2 months ago that was videoed. I was not given a follow up appointment until about a week ago. I know my neurologist did not review the video before my visit because he asked me if I had the test results when I got there as if he did not think his clinic had them.
He then hurriedly printed the report (without watching the video) and told me it was abnormal due to some wave activity the technologist captured on the report and showed me a few screen shots. The report also stated that no seizures were detected and no abnormal rhythm was detected. It also stated that there were no abnormal rhythms detected during hyperventilation and during the photic stimulation. Yet due to a few sharp and XXXXXXX waves and inter ictal activity was what made it abnormal.
I also had a brain CTA done around that time that was called “normal” but a suspected frontal 8mm calcified meningioma was detected and mentioned in the written report and he never mentioned that to me. He did not offer to do bloodwork or acknowledge other causes for the abnormal waves that were found. He pushed medicine on me without other options or discussion. I have a sleep study this week that was ordered months ago because I am also having sleep issues too. I have a lot of other chronic health issues too and I am seeking a second opinion on the above results and possible further testing from a neurologist who specializes in epilepsy (this first doctor was a neurologist but did not claim epilepsy was a specialty). He also said I was not epileptic. I also want to mention I had herniated cervical discs and a compressed spinal cord when I first noticed these brief neck jerks I went to him about in the first place. Since the cervical disc surgery last month they have resolved. The eeg was done before my surgery. I also struggle with anxiety and PTSD but am not medicated at this time.
I want to know if I am justified in getting a second opinion next week from an epilepsy doctor rather than rush to a diagnosis that I feel like was arrived at in a hap hazard way? I feel like he just read the report to me as the technician wrote it and did not take all factors into account when interpreting it. Can EEGs be wrong or machines be calibrated incorrectly? It was not done in a hospital but off site in some office complex clinic type setup. Thank you!