Seizures: Monitoring device

Hello @mmas,

While I don't have any personal or family experience with seizures, I did a little research online and found that the Epilepsy Foundation has some information on these types of devices. Her is the link, https://epilepsyfoundation.org.au/understanding-epilepsy/epilepsy-and-seizure-management-tools/seizure-monitors-devices/

Also, WebMD (which tends to be very user friendly) also has some information. Here is that link, https://www.webmd.com/epilepsy/news/20151208/wearable-devices-aim-to-monitor-epileptic-seizures#1

How frequently is your daughter having these nighttime seizures? Also, I'm wondering, have you discussed monitoring with your daughter's neurologist? He/she might have some suggestions as well.

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HEADS-UP on monitoring equipment. This post is not at all meant to frighten or keep you away from doing the procedure at all. This is about cost and quality of equipment. It only represents my experience and things I would do differently for my installation. I have used the unit 2 times over 3 years, 3 days each time. Your unit most likely will be installed by a contractor working for your neurologist. Neurologist reads information (just a print-out, spread sheet), that was printed by contractor. No paperwork comes out while using unit.

10+ wires are glued to the head in various locations. Those attachment wires come from head, with a main cord (approx 3/4 round) to a small backpack, like what you'd use for school, and worn the same way. Monitoring unit (approx 2x3x6) with battery pack. Total weight around 3-4 pounds. The wires are uncomfortable and your daughter may not like that much but, do explain it to her first.

EQUIPMENT: Both times my unit had broken parts taped on, unit dirty, backpack torn enough that I had to use tape and paper clips to hold backpack material in place. Both 1st and 2nd unit had batteries that.ran out before the 2nd day was over, and it doesn't let you know it stopped while wearing. I didn't find out until my follow-up visit with my neurologist.

PRICE and then what to do: The amount my neurologist billed was 10k. My Medicare A and B paid 9.Get the price yours is going to cost from the neurologist before!!! install!!,,, then, DEFINITELY call your insurance to see if it's covered and how much, and get agents name!!! WHAT TO DO: If when you go to to get the unit put on,,, Very First Thing... you need to politely demand to see all parts, before wire attachment is started, before anything. If it is dirty, broken/worn parts etc, you "stop right there", get the name of the contractor, saying you want a clean, not broken or (whatever is wrong) and that you will be back when it's scheduled next. Very unlikely they will have another right in that room or building. Same story if it happens again. Before my 2nd visit I asked for another contractor and asked for the name of the contractor. I was told by neurologist that that one company was the onlyone they they use. This happened in Denver so I'm quite sure there were more.

NOTE 1: I was already having trouble with my neurologist. We epileptics know the quality and possibilities of finding a good one, but keep looking if you have not. That's not part of this story really, except for getting a different contractor and neurologist later. You may very well get another neurologist who may think the test is important, but you'll have that discussion on first or second visit. No laws about seeing 2 neurologists at a time, and ask the new neurologists who his contractor is.
NOTE 2: If a person is going to get charged 10k for this unit, it needs to be 100%, tip-top condition. That unit may be worth 20-40k but it's still their responsibility to provide what they have stated that the service is, to your neurologist! 10k is a nice used car. In my case, the neurologist got billed by the contractor, paid it, maybe 6-7k, and even after my complaint to him, then billed me. I had already said, "I'll do another 3 day unit, but if I'm paying for 3 days, that's what I need. My neurologist even had the _____tyhj478+ to tell me, "2 days is good enough."

So, that's my story and,,, it may only represent 5% of the contractors out there. If your neurologist is good, he should be mad about what happened and demand another unit, and 3 more days from the contractor. I wouldn't bring this kind of a story up normally but a) the test is important, way beyond a couple office visits and, b) way to expensive to get something less. Always remember,,, You Are Purchasing Your Neurologist, and he works for YOU and you pay him for that service... Thank you.

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Watch out for me as a bible writer,

Yes it's a bit of a loner walk. When I was 22, other than my girlfriend and 2 family members, I told nobody that I had epilepsy. Because of the potential work related negatives that often will never be forgotten. Example: I work in construction. Word gets around after a while in a town of 300,000. I'm 65 and it would be expected that some people think of my abilities as something like sitting in an institution, shaking endlessly with aspirin for control. I'm a general contractor now and if a client knew, I could expect that they would call me last or not at all. 20% of the rest of the world thinks they can catch it. Another 75% will never meet someone who has it., or that they know has it. Me--my practice only... Nobody really needs to know I have it. Little good can come of it outside this kind of format here, other people with the problem, people with varied experience to offer you. Mayo can jump me here for that last sentence. I'm just stating my practice.

As far as epilepsy service, it's like a car repair. Good shops and bad. Some for some things. Not all neurologists got a straight "A" in all their classes, some C. And some are short 10-11% on common sense which is harder yet to believe, but common sense was given out randomly at birth, a few do learn it though.

Being alone: Maybe the best answer/view, for me, was to consider myself a comedian for the rest of the world, without saying anything. I always felt that they the humans weren't able to understand, call it a disability larger than mine. And theirs actually is larger since it's not something they are going to spend much time on understanding, just reacting to it. I think of it as, not really their fault, their disability. Pat them on the back without saying it or doing it. But don't be critical or angry about it. I worked for the Department of Disabilities in a southern Chicago location and for a community living house for developmentally disabled in Boulder Colorado, 8 residents with 8 hour a day jobs, incredible discrimination in many locations, only not necessarily color of skin. The best jobs I have ever had! One observation and many statements by the residents there was, "I wish nobody knew I was disabled." Face structure for them was often a way for someone to make that observation, same as color, as there are African Americans with epilepsy too. I can fairly tell you skin color or nationality can fade in-out with years. The way people discriminate with others with disabilities will be around longer. It already has been hundreds of years. Mayo can jump me for that one too. Let's say I'm truly not being political.

lamotrigine I believe is a chemical likeness to Lamictal. I'm on Lamictal. Doing well but on a large dose for 8 years, but controlled 90%, 500mg a day when 600 is considered close to max. I was on lamotrigine for 3 days and it did not work. Back to normal once back to Lamictal and just fine. About 5% of lamictal users have to have the original brand name. I'm curious about how/why your neurologist has never seen you. This may be because of the virus but it seems a bit overactive by your neurologist. If you were in a hospital for hitting your head during a seizure, you would be seen by or referred to a neurologist. If CT, MRI were needed, and it would be if you are having what you just described, when you got to have those done, everyone there would be wearing a mask. It's a fact, I just did both less than 30 days ago. If we can sit in a Wendy's, you have permission to have your mask off for eating. Masks or more, I would think, should get you into an office for an exam. I was just in a dermatologists office to check a skin issue (1 month ago). We wore masks and so did the staff. Maybe this is where some of the Mayo people should step in to verify. I find it hard to believe a neurologist can prescribe meds without seeing you(?), epilepsy(?) with drugs(?). I could be wrong. Dear Mayo, please step in.

Leonard, I think posted here, if it's who I think he is (9979 posts) is smarter than most neurologist's for a couple reasons. Mostly because he asks questions, not just of folks here, of neurologists. Again, Mayo staff, please step in here,,, they know Leonard and he would be able to comment and willingly help and direct better than I. If he doesn't find your posts anyway I'd be surprised so, go looking for him. I'm sure Mayo can find him for you too. And, he's a bit of a Psychiatrist, with good free help, and he jokes too.

I'm in and out of this Mayo site during a day or weeks or hours. If I don't get back here in the next couple hours don't worry about it. I want to come back to see whats been going on with you and will before end of day today, 9PMish, mountain time. And please, if I'm rattling on too much, say so. I'm aware of it with no feelings hurt. Rick

Jump to this post

HEADS-UP on monitoring equipment. This post is not at all meant to frighten or keep you away from doing the procedure at all. This is about cost and quality of equipment. It only represents my experience and things I would do differently for my installation. I have used the unit 2 times over 3 years, 3 days each time. Your unit most likely will be installed by a contractor working for your neurologist. Neurologist reads information (just a print-out, spread sheet), that was printed by contractor. No paperwork comes out while using unit.

10+ wires are glued to the head in various locations. Those attachment wires come from head, with a main cord (approx 3/4 round) to a small backpack, like what you'd use for school, and worn the same way. Monitoring unit (approx 2x3x6) with battery pack. Total weight around 3-4 pounds. The wires are uncomfortable and your daughter may not like that much but, do explain it to her first.

EQUIPMENT: Both times my unit had broken parts taped on, unit dirty, backpack torn enough that I had to use tape and paper clips to hold backpack material in place. Both 1st and 2nd unit had batteries that.ran out before the 2nd day was over, and it doesn't let you know it stopped while wearing. I didn't find out until my follow-up visit with my neurologist.

PRICE and then what to do: The amount my neurologist billed was 10k. My Medicare A and B paid 9.Get the price yours is going to cost from the neurologist before!!! install!!,,, then, DEFINITELY call your insurance to see if it's covered and how much, and get agents name!!! WHAT TO DO: If when you go to to get the unit put on,,, Very First Thing... you need to politely demand to see all parts, before wire attachment is started, before anything. If it is dirty, broken/worn parts etc, you "stop right there", get the name of the contractor, saying you want a clean, not broken or (whatever is wrong) and that you will be back when it's scheduled next. Very unlikely they will have another right in that room or building. Same story if it happens again. Before my 2nd visit I asked for another contractor and asked for the name of the contractor. I was told by neurologist that that one company was the onlyone they they use. This happened in Denver so I'm quite sure there were more.

NOTE 1: I was already having trouble with my neurologist. We epileptics know the quality and possibilities of finding a good one, but keep looking if you have not. That's not part of this story really, except for getting a different contractor and neurologist later. You may very well get another neurologist who may think the test is important, but you'll have that discussion on first or second visit. No laws about seeing 2 neurologists at a time, and ask the new neurologists who his contractor is.
NOTE 2: If a person is going to get charged 10k for this unit, it needs to be 100%, tip-top condition. That unit may be worth 20-40k but it's still their responsibility to provide what they have stated that the service is, to your neurologist! 10k is a nice used car. In my case, the neurologist got billed by the contractor, paid it, maybe 6-7k, and even after my complaint to him, then billed me. I had already said, "I'll do another 3 day unit, but if I'm paying for 3 days, that's what I need. My neurologist even had the _____tyhj478+ to tell me, "2 days is good enough."

So, that's my story and,,, it may only represent 5% of the contractors out there. If your neurologist is good, he should be mad about what happened and demand another unit, and 3 more days from the contractor. I wouldn't bring this kind of a story up normally but a) the test is important, way beyond a couple office visits and, b) way to expensive to get something less. Always remember,,, You Are Purchasing Your Neurologist, and he works for YOU and you pay him for that service... Thank you.

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Sorry for the few words posting. I accidentally hit Post Reply.

mmas asked about heart monitors and epilepsy monitors. Heart monitors aren't really epilepsy monitors, or at least minimally. mmas, I think, was concerned about epilepsy during the night. A heart monitor wouldn't provide much epilepsy info beyond a seizure in progress. A seizure would change heart rate. The monitors shown on the Epilepsy Foundation link are pretty basic for user purchase and track minimal amounts of seizure activity versus a unit that tracks (per the spread sheet I saw in the neurologists office) several kinds of electrical activity. Not being a neurologist or able to understand all the lines on the tracking sheet I was shown I couldn't make a recommendation for type of unit. Example: When in a hospital, not for epileptic monitoring, next to a bed would be a TV screen that tracks 6-7-8 types of body function. In the neurologists office, there were 10+ tracking lines for brain only. It sounded like mmas wasn't entirely sure of what they wanted/needed to view and be alerted to.

Tracking remotely at time of unit use, during that 3 days, no none. All info was collect inside the unit. That contractor transferred that info to the neurologist several days later.

I also responded to eeegreen as it sounded like she was perhaps new to epilepsy. Too, new to a few other upsetting things. She was responding to my post and that's where I led the post astray.

Sorry for my responses that were off the original topic by mmas, the Monitoring Device. I guess a little too much info on the monitoring device.

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