Community Forum Archive
The Epilepsy Community Forums are closed, and the information is archived. The content in this section may not be current or apply to all situations. In addition, forum questions and responses include information and content that has been generated by epilepsy community members. This content is not moderated. The information on these pages should not be substituted for medical advice from a healthcare provider. Experiences with epilepsy can vary greatly on an individual basis. Please contact your doctor or medical team if you have any questions about your situation. For more information, learn about epilepsy or visit our resources section.
Temporalobectomy
Fri, 02/06/2009 - 14:47I had a temporal lobectomy on my right temporal lobe 9 years ago and I quit taking my meds after 5 years after because I wasnt taking them consistantly and didnt want that to cause any issues, especially because I drink often. I started having seizures again this past year but I have only been having them in my sleep. I'm just confused why or how they started comming back if I had that portion of my brain removed, did my surgon miss some? I am also confused why I am only having them in my sleep. The type of seizures I used to have, I would have like 10 a day but they would only last about 10 seconds. The seizures I have been experiencing lately seem different then the ones I used to have. It makes me wonder if it was the combo of drinking and not taking my meds that caused me to have them again. Is it common to have seizures after so many years after sergery. My sergery was very successful, my surgon was awesom, I was in and out of the hospital in a day pretty much. I just remember waking up and looking at my parents and smiling and saying "It's done!!!!" I went through 5 years of hell with my seizures, meds never stopped them. But anyway if anyone has some imput please share!
Thanks,
Holly
Comments
Re: Temporalobectomy
Submitted by Anne L on Sun, 2009-02-15 - 09:56
Hi Holly,
Like you I have had 1/3 of my right temporal lobe removed over 2 op's because of a tumour. My seizures initially stopped after the 2nd op for about 3 years. I was having, like you, up to 10 seizures a day which were sensations of deja vu followed by a feeling of impending doom and would then sometimes be sick. I then reduced my meds to a very minimal dose of Lamotrigine 25mg twice a day. This was obviously too low as I started having tonic clonic seizures in my sleep and partial complex seizures sometimes in the day where I will hear lots of disjointed shouting in my right ear. The tonic clonics only happened in my sleep and I think I've only had 3 in the last 2 years. That was until New Year's Day 09 when I had my first one during the day. I know it was a build up of stress and tiredness that did it.
I think my seizures are now different simply because the area of the brain that was causing them before the surgery has been removed and now it is a different part of my right temporal lobe that's affected (which I would presume has something to do with hearing) hence, giving me a different type of seizure. Thing is, that surgery itself can cause seizures because of the scar tissue caused by it.
It sounds to me that you need to look at your medication again as you may have gone too low or need to try another anticonvulsant, but also keep an eye on how much alcohol you have and how many late nights, as a mixture of the two can also cause a seizure.
I hope this helps a little. What we all wouldn't give to be rid of this "pain in the arse" illness eh?!! Keep smiling. ( :
Anne x
Hi Holly,
Like you I have had 1/3 of my right temporal lobe removed over 2 op's because of a tumour. My seizures initially stopped after the 2nd op for about 3 years. I was having, like you, up to 10 seizures a day which were sensations of deja vu followed by a feeling of impending doom and would then sometimes be sick. I then reduced my meds to a very minimal dose of Lamotrigine 25mg twice a day. This was obviously too low as I started having tonic clonic seizures in my sleep and partial complex seizures sometimes in the day where I will hear lots of disjointed shouting in my right ear. The tonic clonics only happened in my sleep and I think I've only had 3 in the last 2 years. That was until New Year's Day 09 when I had my first one during the day. I know it was a build up of stress and tiredness that did it.
I think my seizures are now different simply because the area of the brain that was causing them before the surgery has been removed and now it is a different part of my right temporal lobe that's affected (which I would presume has something to do with hearing) hence, giving me a different type of seizure. Thing is, that surgery itself can cause seizures because of the scar tissue caused by it.
It sounds to me that you need to look at your medication again as you may have gone too low or need to try another anticonvulsant, but also keep an eye on how much alcohol you have and how many late nights, as a mixture of the two can also cause a seizure.
I hope this helps a little. What we all wouldn't give to be rid of this "pain in the arse" illness eh?!! Keep smiling. ( :
Anne x
Re: Temporalobectomy
Submitted by rikk on Fri, 2009-02-06 - 17:12
hi. Holly, seizures after surgery. yes. sounds like a different spot on the brain. not taking your medication is not a good idea, but that is done. the drinking has two effects. one it lowers the level at which the seizure can happen. 2. more than a couple of drinks is a depressant. so that is not a good idea at any level. it could have been either or both as far as the cause. the idea that the seizure type is different, makes me say go to the doc to get checked, stop drinking unless you are an alcoholic. then that will need to be handled differently. Rapid withdrawal from alcohol can cause seizures. the doc is the best bet to figure this out. sorry you are going through this again. hope it helps. rikk