Non-Epileptic Seizures FAQs
For a brochure regarding non-epileptic seizures click here.
Where is the EEG lab located?
The EEG lab is located on the 5th floor of Brigham and Women’s Hospital, at the 75 Francis Street main entrance. Take the Tower Elevators to the 5th floor and check in at the window on the D wing. The assistant will call into the lab to let the technologists know you are there. If you are more than 20 minutes late, your appt. will likely need to be rescheduled. Please call if you have any difficulty getting to the lab (617-732-7547).
Where can I park my car? What public transportation is accessed near BWH?
Self-parking is available at the Service Center Garage located on Francis Street. Validation is available for patients who have appointments lasting seven or more hours. The rate is reduced from $35 to $20. The #39 bus from Copley to Forest Hills stops right at Francis Street on Huntington Ave. The E line also runs along Huntington between Heath Street and Downtown Boston. The D line stops at Longwood and there is a 10-minute walk. Make a right onto Brookline Ave. from Longwood, then make a left onto Francis Street. BWH will be on your left. The #65 bus from Brighton and the #60 from Chestnut Hill both travel along Brookline Ave toward Kenmore Sq. Get off at Francis Street and walk one minute on Francis going toward Huntington.
My doctor wants me to be admitted to BWH for a video EEG study? How is this arranged and what can I expect?
Please call (617) 732-7432 or (617) 525-7688 to set up an admission date that is acceptable to you. You will need to send us your insurance information so that we can determine whether the admission will be covered. Presently, most patients are admitted on a Monday via the admitting office. You will then come to the EEG lab to get set up for the testing. Then you will be transported to the 10th floor. You will have a private room. You will be receiving an informational packet and admission letter via mail or email. This will be communicated with you during the scheduling process. If you have outside records or MRI films, please bring them with you. To learn more about the video EEG study, click here.
Will my doctor be part of the treatment process while I am at BWH?
If you have a neurologist or internist outside the BWH system, the epilepsy specialist here will contact him or her by phone to let them know what is happening and to help decide on a reasonable treatment plan. In addition, your doctor will receive a summary report of what transpired within four weeks of the hospitalization. If for some reason they have not received this report, they can notify us at (617) 732-7547 and we will fax another one.
Why can’t I have these tests at my local hospital?
The Video/EEG equipment is very specialized and not available at most hospitals. Our staff of EEG technologists and nurses are specially trained in caring for people with seizures. Our doctors have advanced training in EEG interpretation and epilepsy treatment. We also have access to other specialists. We feel our Long-Term Monitoring Program offers you the best opportunity for receiving a comprehensive and expert evaluation of your seizure disorder.
