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Has anyone had brain surgery due to epilepsy?
Thu, 01/06/2011 - 11:28May have brain surgery...Need advice!!!!
This is the first time I have ever used this website, so please forgive me if I miss something. So, here's my story...I am 31 years old. I was diagnosed with epilepsy in 2004. I have had a few grand mal seizures (around 6 or 7), but I have a lot of petit mal seizures (complex partial) - over 60 in 2010. This has greatly affected my life. I totaled my car in 2010 because I had a seizure while driving. Thank God no one was hurt, including myself. Needless to say, I cannot drive right now. I also has several seizures at work, which put a stress on things. I have tried many medicines (not sure of spelling), including, Lamictal, Keppra, Carbatrol, and others. I have tried name brand and generic. My seizures have not gotten better. My doc is now recommending brain surgery, as a lesion has been found in my front temporal lobe. It is currently not a tumor, but could turn into one. I have not taken the WADA yet, but it will be scheduled soon. I would love to speak with anyone who has had brain surgery and the results he/she has had. Thanks!
Comments
Re: Has anyone had brain surgery due to epilepsy?
Submitted by peytonwelch on Thu, 2011-01-06 - 15:54
Thanks for your reply and your honesty. So, to make sure I understand, are you saying the WADA test did not cause any harm? To my understanding, the WADA test is nothing like surgery, but is the next step to see if you qualify for surgery. Is this correct?
Thanks for your reply and your honesty. So, to make sure I understand, are you saying the WADA test did not cause any harm? To my understanding, the WADA test is nothing like surgery, but is the next step to see if you qualify for surgery. Is this correct?
Re: Has anyone had brain surgery due to epilepsy?
Submitted by tonialpha on Thu, 2011-01-06 - 17:31
That's correct! The WADA is to help the surgeon's determine your speech center. Most patient's is on the left side.
I have had 3 WADA's. I have had 3 surgeries. My speech center is on the left hand side. I am also a Neurodiagnostic Technician. I have seen patient's able to speak in both hemispheres.
One hemisphere is sedated one at a time and you are stimulated w/ pictures and you are to verbally repeat what the pictures are. While the proceedure is going on you are being recorded via an EEG machine.
The Neurosurgeon kept this in mind w/ stimulating the patient during surgery. It also helped determine if the patient's seizure focus was near the location. It is interesting but a necessary procedure.
That's correct! The WADA is to help the surgeon's determine your speech center. Most patient's is on the left side.
I have had 3 WADA's. I have had 3 surgeries. My speech center is on the left hand side. I am also a Neurodiagnostic Technician. I have seen patient's able to speak in both hemispheres.
One hemisphere is sedated one at a time and you are stimulated w/ pictures and you are to verbally repeat what the pictures are. While the proceedure is going on you are being recorded via an EEG machine.
The Neurosurgeon kept this in mind w/ stimulating the patient during surgery. It also helped determine if the patient's seizure focus was near the location. It is interesting but a necessary procedure.
Re: Has anyone had brain surgery due to epilepsy?
Submitted by tbaldwin on Thu, 2011-01-06 - 14:38
I had my left temporal lobe removed in '96, it was unsuccessful in reducing my seizures or reducing medications. But, it did create verbal-memory loss. I had a WADA test just before that operation. Another was performed again last Nov. 2110 at NYU's hospital in New York. WADA tests were OK with me; they insert a catheter in my groin area just above leg a medicine is put though it into artery to put one side of brain asleep to find out if your memory is on that side of brain. My bandage was off in a few days, other people need to keep it on longer. Whatever the amont of time you need, just take care. It could be seen at first, but; can't be noticed now.
Tim Baldwin
I had my left temporal lobe removed in '96, it was unsuccessful in reducing my seizures or reducing medications. But, it did create verbal-memory loss. I had a WADA test just before that operation. Another was performed again last Nov. 2110 at NYU's hospital in New York. WADA tests were OK with me; they insert a catheter in my groin area just above leg a medicine is put though it into artery to put one side of brain asleep to find out if your memory is on that side of brain. My bandage was off in a few days, other people need to keep it on longer. Whatever the amont of time you need, just take care. It could be seen at first, but; can't be noticed now.
Tim Baldwin