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looking for opinions on surgery
Wed, 04/27/2005 - 00:08Topic: Surgery and Devices
my seizures are left temporals, my MRI s show nothing abnormal. I have smaller seizures once a week, and a few gran mals a year. my meds are having control of my life. my memory is slowly deteriating. my daughter will bring up something from the past that most mothers would remember, and I cannot. i always have to sleep for an hour or two after a seizure, as well as sit down to take a rest once my medicine kicks in. 1050mg trileptal, 1000mg keppra both twice a day. the seizures and the meds are eating my memory, through out time wouldn't it be far worse than surgery? what should i do? Is my epilepsy bad enough to consider surgery? opinions anyone?
Comments
RE: looking for opinions on surgery
Submitted by angel_lts on Tue, 2005-04-26 - 07:22
I just wanted to give you a warning about trileptal. It can cause some seizures. It decreases the sodium level, so be aware. Get your sodium checked frequently.When I dont have alot of sleep I notice I feel more tired after taking meds. After a seizure you will be tired.http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/EpilepsyApproach/lisa
RE: looking for opinions on surgery
Submitted by westcoast on Tue, 2005-04-26 - 10:28
i don't know much about your case or how long you've had the szs. the med doses sound pretty harsh. are these the only meds you've ever had? if so, i'd explore other possibles. i did dilantin (worthless), trileptal (caused szs and i felt horrible) and tegretol (double vision, poor sz control). i am now on lamictal (200/250) and it's worked pretty well. one thing i really like is the lack of side effects. szs aren't fully controlled tho so may add 500mg of keppra. if the trileptal/keppra combo is the only thing you've tried, i'd ask doc about other possibles. remember that too many docs simply prescribe lots of meds in high doses to stop the szs. No szs is great but quality of life and ability to think are important too.there's also the VNS which is a simple outpatient install and might help in your case. brain surgery's a pretty heavy duty solution altho i am finally considering it. i'd look at every realistic option before going that route. the big question with surgery is what are the chances of success.good luck. i hope things work out for you
RE: looking for opinions on surgery
Submitted by 38benny on Mon, 2005-04-25 - 13:49
Thats how mine always were before my surgery. Even now that the seizures have given me a break <knock on wood> whenever they come back I have to sleep for awhile or drink alot of caffeine to wake up.
Have you discussed the possibilities of surgery with your doctor? If not that is going to be the best place to start. Try to do some research before making any decisions and let us know which choices your weighing in on then maybe we can help you alittle better.
Good luck always.
JoAnne
Thats how mine always were before my surgery. Even now that the seizures have given me a break <knock on wood> whenever they come back I have to sleep for awhile or drink alot of caffeine to wake up.
Have you discussed the possibilities of surgery with your doctor? If not that is going to be the best place to start. Try to do some research before making any decisions and let us know which choices your weighing in on then maybe we can help you alittle better.
Good luck always.
JoAnne