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Please help! I need q's for the doc's..(previous attempt disappeared)
Mon, 06/19/2006 - 14:54Topic: Surgery and Devices
I had my left temporal lobe resection 3 months ago, and testing begins tomarrow. We will see how successful the surgery was. I am a basket case (for many reasons, which I'm sure you can understand!), and can't think of many questions to ask my epileptologist and neurosurgeon. I won't see the 2 doc's until Thursday, so maybe I can get a good list by then?
If you would share any important questions you can think of with me, that would be absolutely fantastic and I would be eternally grateful! A big THANK YOU to you all in advance!!
Heather
Comments
Hi Heather, :) I've a couple
Submitted by solis on Fri, 2006-06-30 - 14:11
Hi Heather, :)
I've a couple of windows open at the moment as I needed to do some searching for you.
(I despise my temporary no-memory)
One thing I have read (which has been corroberated by my psychiatrist) is that; after-surgery, depression is NOT uncommon.
I believe epilepsy.com has some info (the place I search most).
Today, I did manage to find one site that speaks of that exact situation.
"Strange as it may seem, becoming seizure-free after epilepsy surgery can be stressful and may require a major adjustment. Seizure control may create greater pressure to be employed or to assume other responsibilities. It also may change relationships and other people's expectations. Some people feel depressed about these changes and they may need a great deal of encouragement during the adjustment period."
http://www.epilepsy.com/epilepsy/surgery_expectations.html
My friendly advice would be to see a psychologist or psychiatrist - specifically one who is experienced in dealing with the potentially enormous psychological impact of dealing with epilepsy & with surgery.
My psychiatrist knows I plan to keep seeing her until at least a year has passed after surgery.
She's great encouragement and we always have fun conversations.
To my mind I already 'depend' on enough meds so I take few extra, and only ever as a last resort.
Moreover, there is now a need to 'face and conquor' these depression feelings rather than mask them via more meds.
Take care & hope that helps..
Pamela /aka ~sol
Re: Re: Please help! I need q's for the doc's..(previous attempt
Submitted by mommy2kyra on Fri, 2006-06-30 - 13:19
Hi Solis :) My testing went well, for the most part. Both the sleep-eeg and mri had the results they expected to see. The IQ tests went horribly. That wasn't a real surprise to me, since I've noticed my memory difficulties. But, it sure was a disappointment that I did so horribly. My epi was very understanding, which helped a lot (because I was an absolute basket case)! I will go again in 3 months to get another sleep-eeg, blood test, and visit w/ the epi. He mentioned waiting until 1 year post-surgery to do the IQ test again. Hopefully, things will improve! I talked w/ the epi about my major depression, and he encouraged me to wait a week to see if my mood improved at all. He said that all anti-depressants increased possibility of sz's by 1-4%. I'd never heard that before. So, my epi doesn't want me to go on the anti-depressants unless my depression is severe. Has your epi said anything about that? I've always been pretty anti-med (except the AED's), so I'm trying to stick it out in hopes of my depression easing. Anyway, thank you for responding. I hope that things are going very well for you! Take care :) Heather