I have my evoked potentials (somatosensory) test on tues at 1pm I’m currently taking 10mg of amitryptiline in the evenings, will this medication affect the results? I’ve read that caffeine can affect the results & you should avoid it on the day, it doesn’t say this on my letter only about having clean hair, no moistures on the skin & loose clothing, is the caffeine part true? Mrs C xx
Hi there,
I’m sure, if it was relevant, it would say so in the letter! Coffee is such a common thing that it would certainly mention, if you should abstain on the day.
Also, unless it specifically says, I don’t think you should change or stop any medication for hospital tests. They wouldn’t just leave this to chance - they’d say if there’s anything that would mess up the tests.
I think you can safely proceed as usual, without worrying.
I’ve only ever had the visual ones, but the sticky in my hair to attach the electrodes was a bit of a pallaver, as I have very long, thick, wavy hair. They didn’t find it very easy to get to my scalp, and during the tests, some of the electrodes fell off. It was not easy to get the gummy stuff out of my hair afterwards, until I could get home and wash it. All the way home on the bus, I was wondering if people were staring at me, because I had gum in my hair.
I thought I probably looked rather mad!
Still, on the scale of things, the least of my worries.
Tina
Thank you Tina, I too have long thick hair haha, will I have to have them on my scalp too do you think? Thanks for the advise Stacey xx
Hi Stacey,
If they’ve asked you not to use hair products, I’d assume that yes, it’s because they intend to attach electrodes to your scalp at some point, and conditioners and gels can interfere with the sticky.
At least, that’s what mine said - i.e. not just “clean” hair, but specifically not to put anything on it.
T.
x