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elective brain surgery
Sat, 05/21/2005 - 16:52Hi, my name is Kathy and my twin sister has had epilepsy for 30 + yrs. She has been ok'd for left temporal lobe brain surgery in the near future. Is there anyone out there who has had the surgery or is anticipating having the surgery? I would really like to talk about it. Thanks.
Comments
RE: elective brain surgery
Submitted by LeeMc on Mon, 2005-08-08 - 14:11
Hi Kathy and Karen,
My name is Lee. I have some questions for you. Is the surgery totally elective for you or was it a recommendation by your neuro? It appears that most people having the surgery are resistant to medication and this is a last resort. That was the opinion provided to me by a neuro a year or so ago when I wanted to check my options.
I am seizure free on meds but the side effects of the meds are no picnic either and I have been on them for 30+ years and they are causing even more difficulties and expense in my life. I have not been re-evaluated for 30 years and that neuro I saw a year or so ago wondered why I was even asking to be if my seizures were under control. Well - he isn't paying my bills and even with most of my meds now being generic the bills are still high and the meds for the side effects keep mounting - as do the side effects.
I know the initial cause of my seizures. It was a blood clot on the brain at the tempral lobe as the result of a head injury and undiagnosed skull fracture. It caused scar tissue to develop as the clot desolved and that short circuted everything. That may not be the extended cause or even the longterm reason but without a re-evaluation - who will ever know?
Could you share with me a little bit about the process you have gone through to become eligible for the surgery.....or even for it to be considered? I'd like some idea of what to ask, what to expect and how to go about persuing this possibility without getting the put-down I got last time. If you don't want to reply here - my email is mccubbin@wctatel.net
Wishing you the best Karen. It is good that you have a supportive sister to help you along through this.
Later...............Lee
Hi Kathy and Karen,
My name is Lee. I have some questions for you. Is the surgery totally elective for you or was it a recommendation by your neuro? It appears that most people having the surgery are resistant to medication and this is a last resort. That was the opinion provided to me by a neuro a year or so ago when I wanted to check my options.
I am seizure free on meds but the side effects of the meds are no picnic either and I have been on them for 30+ years and they are causing even more difficulties and expense in my life. I have not been re-evaluated for 30 years and that neuro I saw a year or so ago wondered why I was even asking to be if my seizures were under control. Well - he isn't paying my bills and even with most of my meds now being generic the bills are still high and the meds for the side effects keep mounting - as do the side effects.
I know the initial cause of my seizures. It was a blood clot on the brain at the tempral lobe as the result of a head injury and undiagnosed skull fracture. It caused scar tissue to develop as the clot desolved and that short circuted everything. That may not be the extended cause or even the longterm reason but without a re-evaluation - who will ever know?
Could you share with me a little bit about the process you have gone through to become eligible for the surgery.....or even for it to be considered? I'd like some idea of what to ask, what to expect and how to go about persuing this possibility without getting the put-down I got last time. If you don't want to reply here - my email is mccubbin@wctatel.net
Wishing you the best Karen. It is good that you have a supportive sister to help you along through this.
Later...............Lee
RE: elective brain surgery
Submitted by angel_lts on Tue, 2005-08-02 - 08:28
Kathy, Have had epilepsy for 36 years. I have had surgeries, vns, ketogenic diet, many meds, drug studies and now I am working on Neurofeedback for stress and anxiety. I worked with many vitamins and omega three.
Yes I had surgery four times and two times for the exploritory surgery. Mine was a special surgery.
check out his group for all info.
Lisa
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/EpilepsyApproach/
Kathy, Have had epilepsy for 36 years. I have had surgeries, vns, ketogenic diet, many meds, drug studies and now I am working on Neurofeedback for stress and anxiety. I worked with many vitamins and omega three.
Yes I had surgery four times and two times for the exploritory surgery. Mine was a special surgery.
check out his group for all info.
Lisa
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/EpilepsyApproach/