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Real members of MyEpilepsyTeam have posted questions and answers that support our community guidelines, and should not be taken as medical advice. Looking for the latest medically reviewed content by doctors and experts? Visit our resource section.

Hello everyone! Thank you so much for welcoming me. I have so many doubts about my situation.

A MyEpilepsyTeam Member asked a question 💭
Flat, AK

My first episode was in 2014 I was taken to the hospital, I dis an EEg and MRI and the diagnosis was that probably was a focal epilepsy. Since that I have had several seizures (absent and convulsions) two hospitalizations But I refuse to been taken again ( waste of money) Recently I visited a second opinion did a MRI and EEG and so far everything looks normal. How do you get your diagnosis

February 10
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MyEpilepsyTeam

How do doctors diagnose epilepsy when tests come back normal?

It's completely understandable to feel confused when your recent tests look normal despite having seizures. This is actually quite common—about 50 percent of EEGs performed on people who experience seizures come out normal. This doesn't mean you haven't had Show Full Answer

How do doctors diagnose epilepsy when tests come back normal?

It's completely understandable to feel confused when your recent tests look normal despite having seizures. This is actually quite common—about 50 percent of EEGs performed on people who experience seizures come out normal. This doesn't mean you haven't had seizures; it just means your brain waves weren't showing unusual activity during that specific test.

Epilepsy diagnosis doesn't rely on a single test. Doctors consider multiple factors:

- Detailed medical history - Your description of what happens during seizures, how long they last, and how often they occur
- Witness accounts - What others observed during your seizures
- Multiple EEG types - Standard EEGs may miss seizure activity, so doctors might recommend:
- Ambulatory EEG (24 hours to 3 days of monitoring while you go about daily activities)
- Video EEG (continuous monitoring over several days in a specialized setting)
- Brain imaging - MRI, CT scans, or other imaging to look for structural causes
- Blood tests - To rule out other causes like infections or electrolyte imbalances

Since you've had multiple seizures since 2014, including both absence seizures and convulsions, your seizure history itself is important diagnostic information. A MyEpilepsyTeam member shared a similar experience: "It took about a year to get diagnosed because it didn't show up on any test, and most of my seizures were over before someone else could see them."

Consider discussing extended monitoring options with your neurologist to capture seizure activity during testing.

February 10
A MyEpilepsyTeam Member

I went to an epileptologist. He set me up for about four different tests. We sat down and talked about the results and he made some suggestions. I could tell he meant business so I stuck with him and eventually I got him to agree to my temporal lobectomy. I've been seizure-free for 25 years now.

February 10
A MyEpilepsyTeam Member

Good post, I agree with the ai mentioned about and get other people's opinions here which is ok, but go to your doc about the post here and go from there about it and good luck with your outcome with it, my opinion amen

February 10

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