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Has anyone had brain surgery due to epilepsy?

Thu, 01/06/2011 - 11:28

May 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 Fri, 2011-01-07 - 14:35

If you don't mind me asking, how many seizures did you have before these surgeries (daily/weekly/monthly)?  My main hope is that the Dr.'s will get an accurate diagnosis by the result of this test.  I'm a bit scared about having brain surgery (naturally), but since I have a lesion on my brain, and the dr.'s know where it is, it may be the logical thing to do.  Any thoughts/advice?

If you don't mind me asking, how many seizures did you have before these surgeries (daily/weekly/monthly)?  My main hope is that the Dr.'s will get an accurate diagnosis by the result of this test.  I'm a bit scared about having brain surgery (naturally), but since I have a lesion on my brain, and the dr.'s know where it is, it may be the logical thing to do.  Any thoughts/advice?

Re: Has anyone had brain surgery due to epilepsy?

Submitted by bella0809 on Mon, 2011-01-10 - 18:59

Hi Peyton,

I had the surgery in '05.  I have been seizure-free since then and as of March 2010 I am also medication free for the first time since 1970.  I had about 50 seizures a year, mostly simple & complex partial, but I have had grand-mal (tonic-clonic), atonic, deja vu and auras as well.   My problem was left-temporal lobe most likely due to get hit in the head (Don't walk behind someone who is about to swing a bat). 

The Wada is not that bad.  They access your brain via the femoral artery (in the groin area), inject sodium amobarbital and are able to put one side of the brain to sleep at a time to see how the sides function independently. 

I had the surgery at NYU Langone Med Center with Dr. Doyle, who I highly recommend.  Make sure your doc has experience in the specific type of lobectomy you are going to have.   

Here is a detailed article on my surgery .  Hope it helps.  http://www.epilepsy.com/epilepsy/journal/issue1/surgery 

Ann

 

Hi Peyton,

I had the surgery in '05.  I have been seizure-free since then and as of March 2010 I am also medication free for the first time since 1970.  I had about 50 seizures a year, mostly simple & complex partial, but I have had grand-mal (tonic-clonic), atonic, deja vu and auras as well.   My problem was left-temporal lobe most likely due to get hit in the head (Don't walk behind someone who is about to swing a bat). 

The Wada is not that bad.  They access your brain via the femoral artery (in the groin area), inject sodium amobarbital and are able to put one side of the brain to sleep at a time to see how the sides function independently. 

I had the surgery at NYU Langone Med Center with Dr. Doyle, who I highly recommend.  Make sure your doc has experience in the specific type of lobectomy you are going to have.   

Here is a detailed article on my surgery .  Hope it helps.  http://www.epilepsy.com/epilepsy/journal/issue1/surgery 

Ann

 

Re: Has anyone had brain surgery due to epilepsy?

Submitted by peytonwelch on Tue, 2011-01-11 - 13:16

Thanks for the reply Ann.  I will take a look at your article.  As for walking behind someone with a bat, I'll take your advice!  =0)

I'm glad to hear your surgery went well.  I am very greatful to receive all of the replies I  have, but as you know, not everyone has the same story (life).  As a result, thier advice is different.  I was hoping to get a 70% "go for it" and a 30% "don't" - or the other way around.  However, I have not gotten a clear picture yet.  My next step is to take the Wada on Thursday and see what the dr.'s have to say.  I'll go from there...

 

Thanks for the reply Ann.  I will take a look at your article.  As for walking behind someone with a bat, I'll take your advice!  =0)

I'm glad to hear your surgery went well.  I am very greatful to receive all of the replies I  have, but as you know, not everyone has the same story (life).  As a result, thier advice is different.  I was hoping to get a 70% "go for it" and a 30% "don't" - or the other way around.  However, I have not gotten a clear picture yet.  My next step is to take the Wada on Thursday and see what the dr.'s have to say.  I'll go from there...

 

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