Ticks on a checklist.

Tips for monitoring — Part 1: How to prepare

We understand that long-term EEG monitoring isn’t anyone’s idea of fun, even if it is in the comfort of the home. Maybe you’re wondering what you’re going to do at home for the days of your testing, or perhaps you don’t know what to expect. We’ve got you covered.

Here are eight (8) ways to prepare your home to have a comfortable — and even enjoyable — monitoring period.

 

Download the checklist to prepare for monitoring [Printable]

 

1. Stock up on groceries

If you live on your own or don’t have anyone to help with the groceries, make sure you have the items that you’ll need before your monitoring begins. Avoid stocking up on crunchy snack foods, though, as excess chewing can create false signals on the EEG recording.

Take this opportunity to try out new recipes and plan out your meals, so there’s something to look forward to each day. You can have days to treat yourself and order in from your favourite restaurant.

[Image description: A family of three is sitting at a table with a dinner spread. They are happy. The child is wearing a epilepsy monitoring system. There is a Seer suitcase in the background with a retractable camera correctly positioned to record any possible seizure events.]

2. Get a bath sponge and face wipes

The EEG set up includes 25 electrodes on the head, two of which are attached at the top of the forehead, and one each on the temples. Electrodes should never get wet or be exposed to too much moisture, so we recommend face wipes to make it easier to clean your face and keep the electrodes dry.

One of the benefits of testing with Seer Medical is the ability to shower, bathe, or sponge bath, depending on the system you take home. You will be provided with a shower cap at your connection appointment — but you will need to get your own bath sponge, loofah or small towel to make bathing easier.

[Image description: A child is sitting in the bath wearing a pink shower cap to protect the electrodes on her head from the water. A parent helps wash the child in the bath.]

Don’t forget to wear your shower cap!

3. Plan only necessary outings and appointments

Should you stay in front of the camera as much as possible? Definitely.

Can you leave the camera, or your house, at all? Yes, but only for short periods of time.

If you have important appointments outside your home that can not be rescheduled or other outdoor daily responsibilities (such as walking your dog or picking up children from school) you can leave home. If you must leave home:

  • Do not unplug the monitoring hub. Keep the monitoring hub plugged in
  • Keep the monitoring system on you if you can

Video recording is a critical part of testing and diagnosis. We highly encourage that you try to stay in front of the camera as much as you can so that if an event occurs, it can be captured and recorded.

Try not to leave the view of the camera for more than a total of one (1) hour per day.

While most people forget the camera is even there, others find it to be overwhelming, so short breaks throughout the day are okay, but should be limited to a total of one (1) hour per day.

You can definitely leave the view of the camera for privacy needs such as bathroom breaks, bathing, and getting changed.

We don’t keep track of how long you leave the view of the camera, but it is in the best interest of you and your doctor to make sure an event can be captured if it occurs.

4. Ask someone to be a buddy

Being connected to electrodes and monitored is far from a typical everyday experience. It’s normal if you start to feel overwhelmed or experience other emotions during your testing. That’s why it’s important to feel supported during this time.

Buddy up with someone who you can talk to throughout the study. Invite them over to keep you company or catch up with them over video chat.

5. Make a watch/read list

Now is your chance to catch up on all TV shows and movies that you have been meaning to watch! Plan a movie marathon and create a watch list of your favourite shows.

If you prefer reading, settle into a good book.

It can be helpful to reframe this time positively and think of it as a stay-cation, where you can relax and reset.

Family of four gathered in the kitchen and baking together

[Image description: A family of four is in the kitchen cooking something together.]

6. Prepare other activities to keep you occupied

Over the years, people have shared with us how they passed their time during monitoring. Here are some creative ideas to keep you occupied — even the whole household can get involved!

  • Grab a paint by numbers kit
  • Challenge yourself with a sudoku or crossword book
  • Start a new hobby like knitting
  • Complete a jigsaw puzzle
  • Listen to music or a podcast
  • Write a short story
  • Tend to your indoor plants
  • Get creative and fill out a colouring book (for kids or for grown-ups)
  • Learn origami
  • Bake cookies or make a delicious dessert
  • Research who your monitoring hub was named after (they’re all named after famous scientists!)

Remember to avoid activities that can get your heart rate up or cause you to break a sweat as this will create false signals and can reduce data recording quality.

7. Hear from others

It’s normal to feel uncertain about this process so it can be comforting to hear from people who have already gone through the journey.

Even though your testing may not lead to an epilepsy diagnosis, many support groups will have members who have gone through home video-EEG testing. We highly encourage you to join a group or find other support groups to ask questions and see how others have experienced long-term monitoring.

8. Download the Seer app and start tracking your events today

A big component of Seer Medical’s test is using the Seer app to log events. There’s no need to wait, you can download the app today and start tracking.

Download the Seer app

 

Click the banner below to download a handy checklist to prepare for your home monitoring.

Download the Preparing for Monitoring Checklist

Currently undergoing monitoring? Click here for Part 2 of Tips for Monitoring: How to get the best monitoring results.