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Evoked Potentials?

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Posted 2/20/2007 11:49 PM (GMT 0)
My neuro wants me to have a SSEP, and a VEP done.  Somewhere I read that they are awful tests.  Are they similiar to say a, field vision test?  To me a field vision test isn't bad at all, all you do is look through a scope at a picture and click a button when you see movement on the screen.  I have been having some dizzy spells lately, don't know if its from my sinuses, or what.  She wants me to have a brain and C-spine MRI done in April.  Oh, another thing, she wants to do a EEG also, because of some of the things that I told her thats been going on.  Thanks, Jen
Posted 2/21/2007 1:00 AM (GMT 0)
Hey Jenny!

Good to see u again. I'm not sure, but think maybe u'r remembering some other tests that are painful. From my experience and information, these tests aren't painful at all, but rather relaxing. :)  The SSEP (Somatosensory Evoked Potential) is pretty simple. They connect electrodes to u'r head usually and test how long and how effeciently signals pass from u'r nerves to the brain. VEP (Visual Evoked Potential) tests are just as simple. Again, electrodes are connected and u'r sat down in front of a tv type screen and told to look at a checkerboard and continue to stare at a dot in the center. It is used to measure the speed and effeciency that signals pass from u'r eyes to ur brain. An EGG (electroencephalogram) is used to find probs with activity in the brain. It's done in the same way...electrodes placed on the scalp to record activity in certain patterns. Again, painless. U should be able to get thru these tests without any issue and have u'r results in about a week most likely.  I've included some links at the bottom so u can do some study of these tests if u'd like I hope the tests and mri's turn out clear and u'll be feeling better soon. It's scary when these weird things happen, but in time u'll get some answers. Take care and let us know how u'r doing.

http://www.allaboutbackpain.com/html/spine_diagnostics/spine_diagnostics_ssep.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visual_evoked_potential
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003931.htm

Posted 2/21/2007 4:18 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks so much Rhonda :-)   I didn't think they were painful in any way.  I read this somewhere.  I'll let you know whats happening with the results.  Thanks again!!!  Jen
Posted 7/9/2014 11:09 AM (GMT 0)
i am completely agree with rhondab, evoked potential test are pretty smooth, i didn't take the test but i read on internet that these tests are very enjoyfull sometime you may fall asleep during the EEG test so dont fear to take such test
Posted 9/19/2014 1:45 AM (GMT 0)
Hello,
I'm a new member and this is actually my first post.

I know the OP was quite some time ago but I just wanted to give my 2 cents regarding the Evoke Potential as I just had mine today. I too have heard that some people can actually fall asleep during this procedure. Unfortunately, I wasn't one of those people.LOL. The left leg was very painful and it took me a few minutes before I could get control of the pain. The pain was enough to make me break out in a sweat but I treated it like labor pains (breathing and focusing on something else) and managed to get through without a problem.

I had a very supportive and encouraging tech who walked me through each step of the process. She advised me that the right leg would feel different than the left but she wouldn't know in which way until we proceeded. The right leg was definitely different, with far less pain, making it easy to relax through the rest of the test.

Just as an FYI, my setting was at 12 (I have skinny ankles) but she told me that most patients are between 30 and 50. She said she has in fact had some patients fall asleep during the procedure but she's also had some that could not tolerate it and demanded that it be stopped.

Everyone is different. :-)
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