EEG essentials.

In honor of epilepsy awareness month, we wanted to shed some light on the EEG monitoring aspect as it’s about to hit our household again in a few weeks. Thinking back on the first one that confirmed our kidlet’s epilepsy diagnosis, there are a whole lot of emotions that come flooding back. Thankfully, subsequent EEGs have been a bit easier (seizure-free with meds for 1.5 years and counting ?), especially with the last one that we got to do at home – aka, an ambulatory EEG. Of course, the nurse who called gave us the lowdown of what to expect out of the appointment, but really it was the help of pics that came up on the #ambulatoryeeg that helped us prep as best we could. Here’s what happens and here are the top five things we deem essential in making it through the 72 hours.

Super Simple

Yes, on a fully charged device. Songs are cute, catchy, and educational. We’re not ashamed to credit some Super Simple for helping with vocabulary. The videos are wildly entertaining, especially when dealing with the unpleasantries of waiting at appointments or in this case, sitting down during what can be an uncomfortable and uneasy length of time. When you arrive to have all of the 30 something nodes applied to your kidlet’s dome, it’s glue, gauze, technician in your face. First question I asked was how long it was going to take since, you know, toddlers are unpredictable. He said best case scenario 30-45 mins, but could take longer if the child gets fussy. Boom. Out comes my phone for some quality streaming. By some miracle, she didn’t move and we were done in less than 40 minutes or so. Your parting gifts aside from the obvious gauze dressing, nodes, and lead consisting of a bunch of cords wrapped up, is a connected bag with a recording device inside. There’s a button you push if you notice any activity and then a button that should not be pushed or the whole recording has to start all over. G’luck, no pressure.

A Buckle Toys backpack

This one was an absolute lifesaver – can’t stress enough. Fit the device snugly and safely in the zipped pocket, thus avoiding any temptation by toddler fingers to aimlessly push buttons. The fastens, buttons, and ties are a welcome distraction to the fact that you’re carrying around a bunch of wires monitoring your brain. Kidlet took pride in fastening her bear to her dining and high chairs during snack and meal time – bonus fine motor practice! Straps are comfy enough to carry around for days on small shoulders and at bedtime, it’s like a guardian bear watching over your pretty little head as you sleep.

Button downs

I don’t think I got the reminder on this one, but luckily when seeing all of the pics, it reminded me that if kidlet wanted a daily fresh change of clothes in lieu of a bath, button down shirts & pjs were key.

Stocking cap

Pick one that’s loose enough to fit over everything. We didn’t have to go anywhere during the 72 hours, but we took some chilly walks and it also helped make the getup a little less conspicuous.

Honest bubble bath

The Truly Calming Lavender Scent is a big hit around here on any day, but especially on the final day of the EEG. Letting her play happily in suds while cutting the cords and carefully peeling off each node one by one made for a great day. Shoot, if the tub’s big enough, jump in with them.

Personally, never thought we’d write a survival guide for an ambulatory EEG, but these are gems. Promise.