Question 1

How do I prepare for my routine EEG?

Accepted Answer

We recommend that you wash your hair before your Routine EEG to ensure good contact with the electrode and avoid using any hair products. Please arrive with clean, dry hair.

Question 2

Can I take my medications as usual before my EEG?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you can take your medications as usual before your EEG appointment unless recommended otherwise by your physician.

Question 3

Can I eat before my EEG appointment?

Accepted Answer

Yes. You can eat and drink before your appointment. We recommend limiting fluid intake to avoid having to use the restroom during your appointment. Please be sure to avoid caffeine for at least 8 hours prior to your appointment.

Question 4

Do I need to be sleep deprived for my EEG?

Accepted Answer

Not all EEGs require sleep deprivation. If you are scheduled for a sleep deprived EEG, get no more than 4 hours of sleep prior to your appointment. The less sleep the better. Do not drink any caffeinated beverages 8 hours prior and be sure to have someone else drive you to your appointment.

Question 5

How long does the Routine EEG take?

Accepted Answer

Routine EEGs at West Wave Neuro take about 61 minutes, but the time may vary depending on each patient. You can expect to be at our office for around 90 minutes total.

Question 6

What happens after the Routine EEG?

Accepted Answer

Once your EEG is completed, your data will be analyzed by our neuro specialists and sent to your referring physician, who will discuss the results with you.

Question 7

What is an EEG?

Accepted Answer

An EEG (electroencephalogram) measures electrical activity in your brain. It helps detect and diagnose conditions like epilepsy, seizures and other neurological disorders.

Question 8

How does an EEG work?

Accepted Answer

Small electrodes are placed on your scalp, which monitor your brainwave patterns. The procedure is painless and takes around 60 minutes depending on the type of EEG.

Question 9

Why would I need an EEG?

Accepted Answer

EEGs are used to help diagnose and monitor various neurological conditions like epilepsy, sleep disorders, traumatic brain injuries and more.

Question 10

How do I know if I need an EEG?

Accepted Answer

Your physician will determine if an EEG is necessary based on your symptoms or medical condition. If you experience seizures, unexplained fainting or other neurological symptoms, an EEG may be recommended.

Question 11

Can I get an EEG without a referral?

Accepted Answer

No. You must be referred to our office to have an EEG completed. Please reach out to your primary care physician or specialist to inquire about EEG diagnostics.

Question 12

Do I have to see a neurologist before getting an EEG?

Accepted Answer

No! Your primary care physician can refer you for an EEG prior to seeing a neurologist. Doing this will allow you to show up to your first neurology appointment with results in hand, leading to a quicker diagnosis and expedited care.

Question 13

What is the difference between routine and long-term EEGs?

Accepted Answer

A routine EEG is conducted over a one-hour period, while a long-term EEG may be conducted over 24 hours or even days to capture more detailed data about brain activity.

Question 14

Are there age restrictions on EEGs?

Accepted Answer

No! West Wave Neurodiagnostics offers EEG monitoring for all ages, including neonatal and pediatric patients.

Question 15

How do I prepare for a sleep deprived EEG?

Accepted Answer

If you are scheduled for a sleep deprived EEG, get no more than 4 hours of sleep the night before your study. The less sleep, the better. Do not drink any caffeine at least 8 hours prior, and be sure to arrive with clean, dry hair. You will need to have someone drive you to your appointment.

Question 16

How do I prepare for my routine EEG?

Accepted Answer

If you are scheduled for a routine EEG please arrive with clean dry hair and do not have any caffeine at least 9 hours prior to your appointment.

Question 17

How do I prepare for my ambulatory EEG?

Accepted Answer

Please arrive with clean dry hair and do not have caffeine at least 9 hours prior to your ambulatory EEG appointment. We also recommend wearing clothing you can easily pull over your head or a button up shirt to avoid tugging on the headwrap.

Question 18

Should I bring anything to my EEG appointment?

Accepted Answer

Please bring any relevant medical history, referral information and a list of medications you’re currently taking. If you are accompanying a child for an EEG, please have them bring their favorite stuffed animal or toy so we can wrap their head, too! You may also bring a pillow or blanket if you’d like. Some patients also bring hats for after the appointment.

Question 19

Will I need to stop any medications?

Accepted Answer

You should be taking your medication as prescribed unless otherwise instructed by your physician.

Question 20

Are EEGs painful?

Accepted Answer

No, EEGs are completely painless. The sticky electrodes are simply placed on your skin to record electrical activity in your brain.

Question 21

How long does an EEG take?

Accepted Answer

A routine in-office EEG typically lasts. However, West Wave Neuro has a minimum in-office EEG time of 61 minutes. Ambulatory or long-term EEG monitoring is a minimum of 24 hours up to 7 days.

Question 22

What should I expect during an EEG?

Accepted Answer

The process for in-office routine EEGs and Ambulatory EEGs is different. Please see our services page for specific information on each EEG procedure.

Question 23

When will I get my EEG results?

Accepted Answer

Your EEG results are typically analyzed by our team of neurology specialists immediately following the conclusion of your test. The final report is sent to your referring physician, who will discuss the findings with you. Routine EEGs typically take 1-2 business days. Long-term EEG results can take up to 4-5 business days depending on the duration of the study.

Question 24

Who do the EEG results get sent to?

Accepted Answer

Your EEG results will be sent to the referring physician. If you would like other providers on your care team to receive your EEG results, you can let us know in your new patient paperwork.

Question 25

What happens if my EEG shows abnormal activity?

Accepted Answer

If abnormal activity is detected during your EEG, our medical team will contact your physician immediately to ensure prompt action is taken.

Your referring physician will be the one to further direct your care, based off of the results we provide them.

Question 26

How do I get the paste out of my hair?

Accepted Answer

We do our best to remove most of the paste prior to leaving the office, but the best method is to wash your hair with shampoo and conditioner.

Question 27

Can I have a copy of the EEG report?

Accepted Answer

We have a patient portal where you can access your report after your doctor has gone over the results with you.

Question 28

What insurance do you accept?

Accepted Answer

We accept most insurance companies, including: Medicare, Aetna, AARP, Cencal, Medi-Cal, CCPN, Blue Cross, Blue Shield, United Health Care, Cigna, Secondary to medicare plans.

Question 29

How do I get referred for an EEG?

Accepted Answer

You will need a referral from your primary care provider, neurologist or another healthcare provider. Once we receive your referral, our team will contact you to schedule your appointment.

Question 30

How does West Wave Neuro handle my results?

Accepted Answer

After your EEG is complete, our technologists prepare the data, and our board-certified doctors review and interpret your results. These results are then sent directly to your referring physician, who will discuss them with you and plan the next steps in your care.

Question 31

Can I share my results with other doctors?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you can request that we send yout EEG results to other members of your healthcare team, such as your cardiologist or primary care provider.

Question 32

What makes West Wave Neurodiagnostics different?

Accepted Answer

As the only EEG provider in the Central Coast area offering both in-office and in-home services, we are dedicated to providing personalized, accessible EEG care for adults and pediatrics.

Question 33

How long is an Ambulatory EEG test?

Accepted Answer

The typical length for an Ambulatory EEG test is 48 hours so that we can compare the results between two different days and nights.

These studies can be anywhere from 24 hours to 7 full days.

Question 34

How to sleep with an ambulatory EEG at home?

Accepted Answer

Patients will have either a fanny pack or the kids backpack that they can set next to them while they sleep. This is connected to the electrodes that are on their head. That fanny pack or backpack is connected with a long cord to the main backpack that has the tablet in it.

Question 35

Can I shower or bathe during an Ambulatory EEG?

Accepted Answer

Unfortunately, no. To protect the equipment and ensure accurate results, you’ll need to avoid getting the electrode equipment wet. We recommend showering or bathing before your appointment.

Question 36

What can an ambulatory EEG detect?

Accepted Answer

Ambulatory EEGs can detect various abnormal brain patterns such as abnormal sleep cycles, seizures, nocturnal seizures, abnormal EKG patterns, and more.

Question 37

What if I have a seizure during the ambulatory EEG?

Accepted Answer

If you are having a seizure that lasts longer than 5 minutes, or you are experiencing status epilepticus, 911 will be dispatched and our physician notified.

FAQ's
Your EEG Questions, Answered

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FAQ's Your EEG Questions, Answered

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FAQ's
Your EEG Questions, Answered