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Subependymal grey matter heterotopia at left lateral ventricle / partial seizures - Surgery?
Thu, 04/09/2015 - 14:38
Hello,
I am new here and just looking for some surgery advice, I'll start with a little background.
I was diagnosed with Epilepsy in 2012 at the age of 22, while serving in the Navy after 5 years, 8 months of service. My first seizure was a tonic-clonic that occurred on the ship, while out to sea. Following that, I experienced 15 more tonic-clonics spread out until Jan. of 2014.
Then I began having partial seizures in Mar. of 2014, I am fully conscious and do not lose any motor abilities during a partial, unlike the clonics. Initially, the Navy started me on 4000mg of Keppra/day and Depakote, I don't remember the dosage. They determined that my system was filtering out the Depakote, so they switched it to Topamax and since have added Lamictal and lowered my Keppra dosage due to Keppra-rage.
After adding the Topamax I have been tonic-clonic free, however, a couple of months later (when I was discharged), is when I began having partials. During the partials, the only thing that seems to be affected is my speech, I will stutter and have gaps where I cannot speak during sentences and occasionally if it's really bad, my lips may start trembling.
Has anyone experienced similar partials?
My last Navy neurologist recommended surgery as an option, as well as my current VA epilepsy specialist.
Has anyone had a surgery for something similar to this?
I am going to the main VA medical center this June for a 5 day video EEG. Hopefully they can collect some more data, the medical center works with Duke, as it is located in Durham, NC. So, if I do have surgery, I am hoping to at least have a good neurosurgeon.