Hi.
I was diagnosed in 1968 at age 1, with a: "Convulsive disorder compatable to secondary epilepsy, a jeckyl/hyde personality disorder, and "hyperactive." I am 40 years old now, and no one has EVER been able to explain to me what this condition was. The psychiatrist who performed that EEG is now deceased. I had anual EEGs starting from age 1, which were all abnormal, up until age 15. I was on phenobarbitol, maberol, (?) and visteril. They said I "outgrew" the disorder by age 15.
(My parents told me this, not a Dr.)

I had another EEG one month ago, due to the development of myoclonic jerks and continual headaches, which began after having 3 ECT treatments~ to try and get my 2 decade long struggle with major depression under control. After only 3 ECTs, both my husband and myself just knew something wasn't right, so we decided to quit after 3 of them, instead of going with the recommended 6-12 treatments.. I informed the ECT Dr of my backround with siezures, yet he said it wouldn't matter.

When I told my psychiatrist about what happened since having the 3 ECTs, she said to get an EEG done ASAP from a neurologist, which is what I did.
It came back abnormal. I had to wait an entire month to get an apointment with that neurologist so he could explain the EEG results to me, and when I went in for the explanation, he basically wrote me off and said it is probably just stress, and sent me on my way. I was in his office a total of about 1 minute... He never explained any of the report to me.

I am at my wits end because I have known for years that something neurologically has been wrong with me my whole life... I have always struggled with profound, severe symtomology that is far too long to get into here.. But I have not had an actual clonic tonic seizure since infancy..

The hospital gave me a short report on the findings of my EEG results, and here is what it says:

"Backround: There is 9 hertz alpha activity located at the posterior head regions that attenuates with eye opening. Beta activity is noted of the anterior head regions and is symetric bilaterally. During the recording, some intermittent theta of 6 to 7 hertz noted in bilateral temporal head regions. There are several episodes of jerking in the right arm as well as in the legs without any change in EEG pattern.

During the recording, the patient becomes drowsy but sleep recording not obtained. Hyperventalation was performed. No abnormalities were noted. Photic stimulation was performed. No abnormalities were noted.

Impression: Abnormal EEG. There is some non-specific slowing of the backround activity. The clinical episodes of jerking in the arms and legs were not associated with any change in backround EEG and therefore are thought to be non-epileptic in nature."


Can you explain this to me in any way?
Should I seek a different neurologist's opinion?

Thank you,
KarenS.