During one the tech running it types notes at the bottom of the screen, letting me know if the patient is talking, blinking, whatever, because these are things that can change the way the record looks.
So this morning I was reading a study, and this note floated by at the bottom of the screen.
(click to enlarge)
Turn off mobile while doing EEG? :-)
ReplyDeleteI guess the patient should have to check the device at the door, eh?
ReplyDeleteDoes that mean it was positive?
ReplyDeleteHe was probably live blogging about getting an EEG.
ReplyDeletewhat does the "impedance" and everything mean?
ReplyDeleteCan't even sit down to a family meal without having to remind the kids to stop texting. The practice seems ubiquitous.
ReplyDeleteMy son had to have an eeg a few months ago, and as expected, HATED IT WITH THE FIRE OF A THOUSAND SUNS, especially the air gun to dry the glue. It was super traumatic when he was a baby, but worse this time since he has like super CP strength. The eeg lady was awesome though, and didn't get frustrated (since we were in a Peds neuro clinic) but she asked him if he was sure he didn't want an EEG-themed birthday party for his next birthday. He gave her the biggest WTF look I've ever seen him give and gave a vehement no. Dang, and I had already rented the machines and the techs and everything.
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone else notice that the patient's brainwaves are nearly flat-lining when he or she is texting? That explains so much!
ReplyDeleteAnon 10:12 - Dr G would know best, but my guess is that something was impeding the test, meaning some kind of interruption. They put one on my son's test every time he coughed, rolled over, moved, etc...
ReplyDeleteImpedance is an electrical term.
ReplyDeleteOdd that they even allowed the phone to stay on the subject...Usually they take those outright to avoid any disturbances (such as that) and screw-ups in electrical fields.
ReplyDeleteWell, at least the techs were nice about it and gave an explanation. I have a confirmed Dx of TLE. I moved overseas and had to see a new neuro who "didn't believe" the Dx of the US neuro. When the EEG went spikey on the techs (no cell phone), they simply turned it off, announced that the machine must be defective, and sent me on my way. Ah, socialized medicine... just wait until you guys get it!
ReplyDeleteThe sun must be in the 7th house, it's the Dawning of Aquarius - a new age is upon us
ReplyDeleteI can't w8 2 b among the texters. It will make all the other addictions seem lame. But b4 icn,ihv 2 lurn how 2 nt spll
ReplyDeleteHow long does an EEG typically take?
ReplyDeleteDr. Grumpy is, of course, correct about impedance. It is sort of, in lay terms, a measure of the resistance in the skin between the electrodes. Whatever. I did much more enjoy Ellie's answer. That answer was much, much, much more in keeping with the whole Dr. Grumpy theme here. Impeding the test. I love that!
ReplyDeleteboth my neuro and my sons pediatric neuro required checking the phone at the door. Which, for us, wasn't a problem because we own no such thing. This only becamea problem when a register clerk got rude and accused me a of lying so I could keep my cell phone. Office manager had to get involved so I could get my sons EEG done ..I (probably not so nicely) explained to her that (at this point in time) only 2/3 of the population have cell phones and the ratio gets much higher at my socioeconomic class ...
ReplyDeleteD'you know - yours is the only blog that instantly cheers me up, and I read loads and loads of blogs.
ReplyDelete:)
@Christine-Megan: my son is now 9, and has had a few EEG's that were overnight and required the extra strong glue that I think Ellie mentions above. He's had others that only lasted about a half hour or so, but I think it all depends on what type of seizure the patient has had or what their triggers might be.
ReplyDeleteHmmm....I wonder if insurance will refuse to pay...
ReplyDeletevery, very funny for all of us in blog-land though
Eh, you doctors and your making words mean something different. All smart and stuff. Pfft.
ReplyDelete@Jen - When my son was a baby they used that stupid glue and then didn't get it all out. My son has a TON of hair (thanks to his father) so instead of torturing him later with nail polish remover like the tech recommended, I just let it come out on it's own. He was slightly crispy for a while. I realize that babies/young kids aren't exactly going to stay still and the glue/air gun is a necessary evil, I just wish it didn't have to be so darn LOUD. Blind kids do NOT like loud noises next to their heads. When he was younger I would actually have to lock my legs around him and chase him around the floor to cut his hair. BOY was I glad when he outgrew that.
flat eeg while texting- that explains a lot of bad driving i see.
ReplyDelete@Ellie--I watched a mom try to get that stuff out of her daughter's hair, and at that moment, I was never more thankful that I had a boy.
ReplyDeleteI shaved his head and got most of it out.