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What Does This Stress EEG Test Report Indicate?

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Posted on Thu, 23 Jul 2015
Question: My 25 year old daughter lost vision, passed out, and had seizures. We went to the ER. Her cat scan and blood work were normal. The stress EEG indicated that she had activity. She was told not to drive for six months and we are waiting for an appt with a neurologist, which may take 3 months. My question is the following. What does "activity" on a stress EEG indicate? She was told that it was related more to the hyperventilation than anything else that was part of the stress EEG. She has been very sensitive to light, and had a head ache at the base of her brain for several days prior to passing out and her seizures. Her vision returned immediately. She takes alderol prn, and is on Jazz birth control. She was not dehydrated or sleep deprived when the event happened. She was taking Claritin D prn, but has discontinued after a visit. She is on a waiting list to see a neurologist.
I forgot to add that she lost vision and consciousness temporarily when she was around 10. The CAT scan was normal. After this event, she told me that she had
short periods when she would lose focus and "blacken out" when she was in college
4-5 years ago, but nothing since.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (47 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Activity on EEG means doubts about seizures.

Detailed Answer:
Hello and thanks for using HCM.

I have read your query and understand your concerns.

First there's need for a clarification, by alderol you maybe meant Adderall?

Activity on stress EEG means that there are strong doubts about suffering from seizures.

Past episodes may be related to type of seizures called Absence or Petit Mal and the episode with loss of vision and consciousness probably was a generalized seizure.

CT scan is not the best tool to evaluate brain lesions, in my opinion there is need for a brain MRI.

Confirmation of seizures diagnosis is achieved by neurologic evaluation and video assisted EEG, in cases where simple EEG is not conclusive.

So the neurologic evaluation is very important in this case.

Hope I helped you. I remain at your disposal for further questions and clarifications.

Best regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Neel Kudchadkar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (20 minutes later)
The medicine is Addersll and she is taking it for adult attention deficit as needed 10 mg twice a day.
If the activity on the EEG tends to rule out seizures, but her symptoms are related to seizures, are you saying further evaluation and a MRI are needed to try to ascertain the cause?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (15 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
A brain MRI is a complementary diagnostic tool.

Detailed Answer:
Welcome back and thanks for the clarifications.

An EEG is important to evaluate seizures, but there are cases that this function test results negative, even when clinical manifestation of seizures is evident.

A brain MRI could show subtle brain lesions such hypocampal sclerosis, small arteriovenous malformations etc. that could be causing seizures.

In other words, in order to evaluate correctly seizures there is need for a clinical evaluation, an appropriate EEG and a brain MRI.

Hope this helps.

Take care.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Neel Kudchadkar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (21 minutes later)
Yes. Thank you.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (1 minute later)
Brief Answer:
You are welcome.

Detailed Answer:
Wishing good health about you and your daughter.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Neel Kudchadkar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho

Neurologist, Surgical

Practicing since :2004

Answered : 4501 Questions

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What Does This Stress EEG Test Report Indicate?

Brief Answer: Activity on EEG means doubts about seizures. Detailed Answer: Hello and thanks for using HCM. I have read your query and understand your concerns. First there's need for a clarification, by alderol you maybe meant Adderall? Activity on stress EEG means that there are strong doubts about suffering from seizures. Past episodes may be related to type of seizures called Absence or Petit Mal and the episode with loss of vision and consciousness probably was a generalized seizure. CT scan is not the best tool to evaluate brain lesions, in my opinion there is need for a brain MRI. Confirmation of seizures diagnosis is achieved by neurologic evaluation and video assisted EEG, in cases where simple EEG is not conclusive. So the neurologic evaluation is very important in this case. Hope I helped you. I remain at your disposal for further questions and clarifications. Best regards.