What is a VEEG Test?
You’ll spend 5-7 days in the Epilepsy Monitoring Unit (EMU). Electrodes will be attached to your scalp. They are connected to about 6 feet of multiple wires. The wires allow doctors to correlate your brain waves with physical activities and symptoms during seizures. Even during your sleep so they can capture those nighttime seizures also.
Before Your VEEG
Wash your hair the night before with regular shampoo only. No conditioner, no styling products, no oils. Clean hair helps electrodes adhere properly. This isn’t about vanity – it’s about data quality.
ENJOY the shower because you won’t get another one for a week!
What to Pack for VEEG (printable version here)
Not only for hygiene purposes but your doctors’ noses!
Clothes (👕)
- Comfortable pajama pants (5-7 pairs)
- Underwear. You can’t take showers, but you’ll want to change those daily. Hygiene!
- They provide socks and hospital gowns
- Pro Tip: Don’t forget your own pillow and blanket! The hospital provides theirs but there is nothing like cuddling up with your own stuff. Besides, their pillows are like pancakes! …LOL
Toiletries (🧴)
- Toothpaste, toothbrush, mouthwash, floss, deodorant
- Lip balm
- Pads/tampons, if needed.
Things To Do (🎮)
- Laptop/tablet
- Books or e-reader
- Phone
- Puzzles or brain games
- Some let you bring gaming systems
- Pro Tip: DON’T FORGET CHARGERS FOR EVERYTHING
If something makes you mentally tired, bring it along. The more mentally tired you get, the higher your chances of triggering a seizure.
Side note***… on one of my VEEG visits, I accidentally broke my laptop. I threw it across the room against a concrete wall during a seizure. The hospital does not replace items that are broken like that, so BEWARE …. LOL
What happens during VEEG setup
You’ll change out of your street clothes, into your gown and pants. No bras allowed because of the telemetry they will put on your chest. It is just a patch for your heart rate and such. During your stay, the ladies are going to get a break..lol. Sit down on the bed. You will get an IV put in about now and that’s a great thing. In case you do have a seizure, they can inject medications into you to make it stop! Just in time for the EEG Tech to come in and get to work. They will mark spots on your scalp with a colored pencil, then attach electrodes with glue. There will be a wire for each electrode. Tons of questions will be asked during all of this by your nurses and admitting staff! What do your seizures look like? Typical length of episodes? Auras? After you are all set up and connected, they will turn on the bed alarm. They will also put the cushions on the side of the bed. The bed alarm alerts them if you ever try to get up. You are now considered a fall risk. The cushions on the side of the bed prevent harm. They protect you from bumping against the rails during a seizure.
Pro Tip: Go to the bathroom once again while changing clothes. Get your pillow and blankets all set up while you’re able to roam freely before they hook you up.
What to expect during your VEEG day
- Interruptions – Blood work early in the morning, Doctors making their rounds! They will tell you of their findings for the previous day, if any. You will get real time info and updates. No waiting a couple days for results! EEG Techs will enter frequently to fix electrodes or adjust equipment. Nurses will come in at the beginning of each shift to flush and make sure your IV is still working.
- Medical procedures – Exercise bike sessions, flashing light tests, hyperventilation exercises to see if either provokes a seizure. These happen only once, if any, during your stay, not every day.
- Limited mobility – You won’t get privacy because once admitted, you’re officially considered a fall risk. Those bathroom trips you want by yourself aren’t going to happen. Most likely they’ll use a gait belt for the two steps to your bathroom. Your room will have its own bathroom with a door. However, the door won’t stay closed. Once they hook you up, you don’t go to the bathroom alone again. It makes you feel ridiculous, but there’s sound reasoning behind it. Yes girls, that means even when you’re on your period. They do their best though. They will talk to another aide or just leave the door lightly cracked to try to give you some privacy.
- Pro Tip When trying to go to bathroom, turn the bathroom faucet on! The sound of the running water will help create a sense of privacy. They will listen to the water as well, instead of just focusing on you doing your business.
This isn’t a typical hospital stay focused on healing. You’re on a diagnostic mission. The temporary discomfort you experience serves a crucial purpose. It captures brain activity that could finally provide seizure answers.
Even during quiet periods, your brain provides valuable baseline data. This data gives doctors a comprehensive picture about what is going on. Looking back, this process taught me about God’s timing versus medical timelines. Sometimes the answers don’t come when we expect them, but that doesn’t mean the journey is wasted. Every inconclusive result. Every “difficult case” label. It’s all gathering information that serves a purpose. Even when we can’t see it yet. There’s strength in admitting we don’t have all the answers while still trusting the process. Whether your VEEG captures what doctors need or not, you’re gathering crucial information for your care team.
Pro Tips Summary
Happy Testing!!!!!!!!!!!