1. Epilepsy Slideshow
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Author:

Diamond Vrocher III, MD

Coauthor:

Mark J. Lowell, MD

Editor:

William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

Dr. Shiel received a Bachelor of Science degree with honors from the University of Notre Dame. There he was involved in research in radiation biology and received the Huisking Scholarship. After graduating from St. Louis University School of Medicine, he completed his Internal Medicine residency and Rheumatology fellowship at the University of California, Irvine. He is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology.

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The patient will be given instructions when the EEG is scheduled.

• If the patient routinely takes seizure medication to prevent seizures, antidepressants, or stimulants, he or she may be asked to stop taking these medications 1 to 2 days before the test.
• The patient may be told not to consume caffeine before the test.
• The patient should avoid using hair styling products (hairspray or gel) on the day of the exam.
• It is prudent to have someone take the patient to the EEG location, especially if he or she has been asked to stop taking seizure medications.
• If the patient is having a sleep EEG, he or she may be asked to stay awake the night before the exam.

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