Advice for DS8 - EEG and MRI -

[dbogen]

Good Morning,

I have to keep DS8 up late and wake him early tomorrow for an EEG and an MRI. What should I expect with these and how can I prepare him for this. He has occasional double vision and the Neuro thinks they are migraines without the headache(did that make sence) I'm just a little nervous and want to prepare him.

You on the Dis are so nice and supportive I was hoping you could send some Pixie Dust my way.

Thanks
Deanna

 

[Dan Murphy]

Hi Deanna,

My best for your little guy, I bet he does well, kids are usually so good at these things. Make it a fun thing, a game. Here is a link from a similar discussion not that long ago. http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=564454 And if you do a search on her name, you will find the results, all well.

Your little guy, and you too, are in my prayers. Please let us know how it all goes. 's


Dan

 

[newholiday]

good luck
hope all goes well

 

[Big V]

Prayers that all goes well for the little guy.

 

[susie2]

hi, i have also had an eeg and mri scan done, the eeg is ok they just stick lots of round suckers on your head and you just lie there hooked up to a machine, there is no noise, i found this very relaxing, the mri is very different, you lie on a flat bed, they put a pad on your head then a cage is placed over your head, it doesnt cover you face you can still see, but is over your face is you see what i mean, you are then moved on the bed inside the machine, this can be a bit frightning and a bit clostrophobic(spell), this machine is very noisy but if it gets to much you have a button you can press and they will bring you out, this lasts for about twenty mins (mine did anyway), none of these tests hurt in any way, but i would think that the mri might be a bit frightning for him, only as it is very loud, if i remember correctly they put pads over your ears but it is still loud, if you have any questions please ask and i really wish him well and hope all is good, susie

 

[WDWLVR]

Sorry to hear he has to go through these at such a young age. I agree with trying to make it kind of a game.

Does he like the space program. Maybe you can tell him that the MRI would be good training for going into space. Explain the close quarters and the loud noise. If he has a good imagination maybe he can turn that into something fun and positive, but sill keep still to give them a good reading.

Good luck with the tests!

 

[Snow Dog Mom]

Deanna

My DS was also 8 when he had the same procedures. My DS thought it was cool that he got to stay up late. If I remember correctly (that was 3 yrs ago) we went somewhere to keep him moving and then came home and watched a movie or played a game.

I hope all goes well and keep us posted on how things go!

Kim

 

[4nana]

Hi Deanna,

First off , I know the anxiety you are feeling as we just went thru this last year with our 8yo Gson. who suffers with abdominal migraines. Rest assured, the tests sound alot worse than they are. The worst part of EEG is the sleep deprevation, getting him up at an awful hr., and nothing to eat or drink.

The EEG, electroencephalogram, is electricial activity of the brain.
It is not painful at all. They will be looking for any abnormalities - vessel changes, etc.

He will be placed on a table/bed type to rest on. Electrodoes will be placed on his head w/cream. He will be asked to relax, ocassionally deep breath, maybe look at a bright flashing light while the tech monitors the brain activity. It takes all of 15-30 minutes. Our Gson did great, however, if any child is the least bit uncomfortable, they can give them something to relax.

That will be all unless they see something suspicious, then while there, they administered dye and do further testing. Which thankfully, in our case, was nothing too serious.

Children's Hospital was great, allowing us to be right there by his side. Feel free to take his favorite stuffed animal or toy, plus don't forget a treat for afterwards Beforehand we made very light of the testing to our Gson, explaining they wanted some pix of inside his head to see why he was so smart it sometimes hurt!
He thought the cream made for a cool hairdo...LOL!!

My very best to you and your son. I will say a prayer you have a positive outcome.

Godspeed ^i^
Sandie

 

[EsmeraldaX]

Good luck to him! I had to have some MRIs a few years back. Definately give him some kind of reward for being brave, like a movie day or taken him to someplace special to eat or to get a new toy.

 

[mickeyfan1]

I had several EEGs after a stroke almost 30 years ago. I almost always fell asleep during them, which was fine with the Doctor.

Yes you can have migraines with out pain, I do. I get dizzy to the point thast I have to hold my head perfectly still, I get nauseous, and I feel just wierd. Fortuneately, I have learned to recognize the symptoms and can take pain killers for them. Even tho there is no "Pain", the pain killers are the only thing that helps.

Best of luck to your son, if he is at all interested in science, see if the technician will explain in detail what the machines do, and what the results look like.

 

[jwsqrdplus2]

DD1 who is 5 1/2 is scheduled for her 3rd EEG since her 4th b-day in Jul. She has epilepsy. We have never had to do a sleep deprivation one, but the EEGs are pretty painless. He is going to get lots of goop in his hair because of the conductive gel they use to affix the sensors. The staff at our Children's Hospital is awesome. I just explain to DD that she has to have pictures of her brain taken; she thinks that is pretty cool. In my case, it was much worse as the parent watching her have seizures (petit mals, not grande mals), and watching the technician trigger them when her meds are working. Of course she doesn't remember any of that.

I would explain as much as possible at the level your DS is ready to understand because he is going to have to lie very still for both procedures. I also "bribe" DD with a treat (Mommy-daughter date without little sister!) if she is good (which she always is for these). Since she started so young and has to have EEGs every year, it is just a normal part of her life. Now the blood draws to check her medication levels are another story! She DOES NOT like those!

Good luck with the procedures.

 

[dbogen]

The internet is finially working again.

Thank you all for your posts. He will be taking his favorite animal with him(stuffed) and a CD for the MRI. If we are both awake enough I hope to take him to Shrek II I can't believe we haven't seen it yet.

Again thank you all for the hugs and pixie dust.

Deanna