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Question about Post Right Temporal Lobe Epilpesy Surgery

Fri, 04/08/2005 - 14:29

Hi, my name is Mary and I began having epileptic seizures at age 2, and I went through so many obstacles.  My mom thought they were night terrors, but EEG and MRI testing proved wrong spring 2000.  I had right temporal lobe epilepsy or psychomotor epilepsy.  I was on Tegeratol most of my life, but it still didn't help, and yes I had auras.  The auras were terrifying; I would feel helpless, nauseated, and very scared like I was going to die.  Praise the Lord, I had right temporal lobe surgery August 1, 2000 and I have been seizure free since the operation.  I am 25 years old and currently attending my last semester in college to achieve my BA in Social Sciences.  Anyways, today sitting in class I felt the terrifying feeling of an aura and I haven't felt that feeling for almost 5 years, know.  I wanted to ask. Do post surgical procedures have an affect on the brain to cause later deja vu or what I call the feelings of auras and is that normal or should I go get help from my neurosurgeon?  Thank you for listening.

Comments

RE: Question about Post Right Temporal Lobe Epilpesy Surgery

Submitted by kwgreulich on Fri, 2005-03-04 - 14:54

Hello;

I had spinal meningitis & hydro-encephalytis back when i was 1 year old (1956). This required 2 brain surgeries by age three.  I had the Left Temporal Lobe surgery July 15, 2003. I still have as many seizures as before, but also what the doctors are calling pseudoseizures. They insist it is due to nerves and said i needed therapy. I met 2x with a psychyatrist and also with my pastor who has a degree in psychology. The two of them and my aqauintances all agree with me that it is not the problem. I very rarely know when seizures will start and most occur at night while i am asleep. However i sometimes have a feeling of nausea prior to seizures that occur during the day. The last one was a grand mal on the bus.

With my pre-op tests they said the right hemisphere only functions at 10% of normal and thus they were unable to remove all the brain tissue that had basically atrophied due to lack of Oxygen during seizures. There was also an area where this was seen on the MRI in the right hemisphere that they couldn't get to. The latest thing is that the doctors are recommending a VNS. I really feel reluctant going through another surgery and haven't decided.

Karl

Hello;

I had spinal meningitis & hydro-encephalytis back when i was 1 year old (1956). This required 2 brain surgeries by age three.  I had the Left Temporal Lobe surgery July 15, 2003. I still have as many seizures as before, but also what the doctors are calling pseudoseizures. They insist it is due to nerves and said i needed therapy. I met 2x with a psychyatrist and also with my pastor who has a degree in psychology. The two of them and my aqauintances all agree with me that it is not the problem. I very rarely know when seizures will start and most occur at night while i am asleep. However i sometimes have a feeling of nausea prior to seizures that occur during the day. The last one was a grand mal on the bus.

With my pre-op tests they said the right hemisphere only functions at 10% of normal and thus they were unable to remove all the brain tissue that had basically atrophied due to lack of Oxygen during seizures. There was also an area where this was seen on the MRI in the right hemisphere that they couldn't get to. The latest thing is that the doctors are recommending a VNS. I really feel reluctant going through another surgery and haven't decided.

Karl

RE: Question about Post Right Temporal Lobe Epilpesy Surgery

Submitted by welby on Sun, 2005-03-06 - 09:37
Hello Mary,I had right temporal lobe lumpecomy and I was seizure free for 10 years but then it came back, it isn't as bad as before but I am back on medications, my seizures now are much diffferent then before. I would suggest if it happens to you again see your neurologist. It is possible that it has returned but in a different form.Good LuckCheryl

RE: Question about Post Right Temporal Lobe Epilpesy Surgery

Submitted by jac_tx on Fri, 2005-04-08 - 14:29
Hi, Mary.  My name is Jackie.  Congrats on being sz-free and going back to school!  You deserve a big pat on the back for achieving such!  I had my RTL removed 12/8/92 (but am too lazy to go back & finish college!) and have been seizure-free ever since.  If I felt anything that RESEMBLED an aura, I'd be letting my neuro know.  I've not had an aura or any feeling of deja vu.  The stress of worrying if you might have another "feeling" like that might cause damage in and of itself.  I'm not saying it would cause a sz, but you know the terrible things worry & stress does to our bodies.  I'd let my doc know, if I were you.

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