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Surgery...How do you decide?
Tue, 09/16/2008 - 09:58I know opting for surgery is a personal decision, but I just want to explore other's experiences...
My son, 12yrs, has partial seizures, some Simple, some Complex. He's on two meds, both causing cognitive side effects, which of course makes learning difficult, plus makes things difficult for him socially. We've never gotten full control of his seizures... Sometimes they come daily, sometimes every two weeks. We're at the end of the Medications options... No more to try.
Do we just live with partial seizure control, or do we continue to strive for full control with Surgery. It seems so scary to me... I just want to do whats best for my son.
If you've had the surgery, please share your experience, OR if you've considered surgery, but opted against it.
Thank you so much, Val
Comments
Re: Surgery...How do you decide?
Submitted by ValNewLife on Tue, 2008-09-16 - 13:01
Becky, How wonderful! I'm so happy that surgery has worked out for you! Thank you so much for sharing that with me.
You mentioned driving... that's one of my considerations... I hope so much that my son will be able to get his license when it's time, with his peers.
Thanks again, Val
"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11
Becky, How wonderful! I'm so happy that surgery has worked out for you! Thank you so much for sharing that with me.
You mentioned driving... that's one of my considerations... I hope so much that my son will be able to get his license when it's time, with his peers.
Thanks again, Val
"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11
Re: Surgery...How do you decide?
Submitted by reba on Tue, 2008-09-16 - 15:12
Thanks! I'll be more than happy to try to answer any of your questions. From what i understand, after surgery the nero wants you to be seizure free at least a year, then they will start to wheen you off the meds. I see my nero in April. (I only see him once every 6 months) But anyways, we will discuss then about decreasing my meds. It is something that the nero and patient must agree on since, unforunetly, their is always that small "chance" that a breakthrough seizure could occur, but not the case for everyone. So we'll have to wait and see about that one. I know that, regardless, everything will be fine. As far as driving, here in Kansas they require you to be seizure free for, i believe 6 months. But i think your son will be just fine by that time. It's for your sons safety, as well as others. I found that out the hard way. One time, before my surgery, i was driving with my daughter and i had a seizure. Thank the Lord above she was with me, because she took the wheel and steered us safely to a stop. Needless to say, i stopped driving after that even when i remained seizure free for the required time, but that was because of the fear of what had happened, what i put my precious daughter through, and the fear of "what if". After my surgery, several months later, i began driving again, but this time with confidence and no fears. And my children are even comfortable driving with me again too. I think your son will do just fine by that time:)
Take care and God bless, Becky
Thanks! I'll be more than happy to try to answer any of your questions. From what i understand, after surgery the nero wants you to be seizure free at least a year, then they will start to wheen you off the meds. I see my nero in April. (I only see him once every 6 months) But anyways, we will discuss then about decreasing my meds. It is something that the nero and patient must agree on since, unforunetly, their is always that small "chance" that a breakthrough seizure could occur, but not the case for everyone. So we'll have to wait and see about that one. I know that, regardless, everything will be fine. As far as driving, here in Kansas they require you to be seizure free for, i believe 6 months. But i think your son will be just fine by that time. It's for your sons safety, as well as others. I found that out the hard way. One time, before my surgery, i was driving with my daughter and i had a seizure. Thank the Lord above she was with me, because she took the wheel and steered us safely to a stop. Needless to say, i stopped driving after that even when i remained seizure free for the required time, but that was because of the fear of what had happened, what i put my precious daughter through, and the fear of "what if". After my surgery, several months later, i began driving again, but this time with confidence and no fears. And my children are even comfortable driving with me again too. I think your son will do just fine by that time:)
Take care and God bless, Becky
Re: Surgery...How do you decide?
Submitted by reba on Tue, 2008-09-16 - 11:29
Hi Val,
I've had epilepsy for 13 yrs, with complex partial seizures. Having at least 5 per month. August of '07 i had right temporal lobe surgery done since meds were not helping. It has been a year now and thus far, no seizures. For me it was the best decision that i could have made.The thought of brain surgery, i know, is very scary. I was only in the hospital 5 days before coming home. Everyones recovery time varies, but for me it took about a week to get back into the swing of things. They do alot of testing before considering surgery to make sure that everything will be alright, and if anything would be hindered. For me, i lost some of my periferval vision which i knew could happen, but nothing bad enough to keep me from doing anything, including driving. Your doctor will go over everything with you. The pros and the cons. For me the pros outweighed the cons:) Im happy with my decsion, for it has truely changed my life for the good.
Take care and God bless, Becky
Hi Val,
I've had epilepsy for 13 yrs, with complex partial seizures. Having at least 5 per month. August of '07 i had right temporal lobe surgery done since meds were not helping. It has been a year now and thus far, no seizures. For me it was the best decision that i could have made.The thought of brain surgery, i know, is very scary. I was only in the hospital 5 days before coming home. Everyones recovery time varies, but for me it took about a week to get back into the swing of things. They do alot of testing before considering surgery to make sure that everything will be alright, and if anything would be hindered. For me, i lost some of my periferval vision which i knew could happen, but nothing bad enough to keep me from doing anything, including driving. Your doctor will go over everything with you. The pros and the cons. For me the pros outweighed the cons:) Im happy with my decsion, for it has truely changed my life for the good.
Take care and God bless, Becky