Anyone know what a "normal" VEP is?

[Fluffysmom]

Hi, everyone.  I had my VEP this morning, which took almost two hours.  Staring at those flashing squares has given me a nasty headache.

The tech was nice enough to print out the wave form and cursor table results for me, but having no idea what normal is, I don't know if my tests results are within the normal range.  Since most of my test results are, I'd bet they are, but I've given myself a worse headache trying to google VEP results.

For those of you that have had a VEP, did you experience weird visual disturbance on the checkerboard pattern around the red dot you were focusing on?  Kind of made me think of the aurora borealis, with fine lines and strange patterns.  Induced migraine with aura, non-typical type aura?   I would like answers, would make this pain seem worth-while.

The doctor will have read the report by tomorrow, though my follow-up isn't until next week.  I could show up at their records library tomorrow and ask if I could pick up his report.

Or take a Tylenol and lie down and relax.

Sigh.  If anyone has any input, I would, as usual, appreciate it!

Kathy

[Marmite100]

Hi Kathy

I didn't experience this nasty pain you are feeling, but I had my VEP 6 months after losing vision in one eye (it was recovering by that point) so not necessary what everyone would experience.  I did have lots of blurring around the checkerboard.  The test confirmed I was recovering from Optic Neuritis.

Good luck with the appointment, I hope this pain goes quickly for you

[doni54]

Hi Kathy,

I can't answer your questions about the VEP, haven't had mine yet.  But now I'm really not looking forward to it....hahaha

My eyes do funky things already, I can imagine how they will feel after a VEP!!!

Hope you feel better today, and have fun at the urogynecologist and physical therapy!!!

hugs,
doni

[meg321]

and to think i have a VEP and LP the same day,,,i just can't wait  !!

thanks, meg

[Fluffysmom]

I'm glad you didn't shoot yourself.  :o)

My headache is lessening, but my eyes still feel hot and tired; OK, my head still hurts, too, but I'm trying to talk it out of it.  I'm going to take by bedtime meds a little early and hit the hay.

Tomorrow is a trip to the urogynecologist and then physical therapy.

At least its not raining!

Kathy

[Sailorsong]

If I remember correctly what you described sounds like how I felt after my VEP almost 10 years ago. My results were normal. The main reason I remember it is because at the time I was having severe headaches so by the time the test was over I was about ready to shoot myself because of the pain. That headache lasted something like 48 hours.

The funny thing is that my doctor at the time ordered the VEP because I was having severe headaches and a MRI showed nothing.

Dennis

[Fluffysmom]

Thanks, I couldn't remember reading anyone else's experieces with a VEP, so I thank you very much.  I thought it sounded like a piece of cake; not so!

I'm eager to hear what others have to say, too.  

I was telling the tech today about how much I've learned since my symptoms started this past Feb. and led to the brain MRI showing lesions and a WHOLE lot of learning to do!  She had asked me about my LP results (clear), and a little while later, I said, "you know, 1 in 25 people with MS have clear LPs", and she said "yes, as a matter of fact, I do know that".  She was cool.

Kathy

[risnerrose]

I had VEP less than a month ago . . . can't remember how it was read.  I did notice that everything blurred when the checks stopped moving and occasionally during the test, but my results were "normal".  I was exhausted by the end of the test, had a stiff neck, tingling and pain in my face, and stayed on the edge of a headache.  I didn't know if it was from the stress of the test or if it triggered some type of nerve response.  

I'm anxious to hear what others have to say.  So much to learn!

Sherry