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.

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 Sat, 2011-01-15 - 12:05

Thanks for the info.  As I mentioned in my last email, I was scheduled to have the Wada this past Thursday, but it was rescheduled again for this coming Monday.  I will be glad when it is over.  It sounds like your daughter is doing well so far in the recovery process.  One think I have noticed is most (if not all) of the kind people who have replied to me have had surgery on their RIGHT side of the brain.  Do you know of anyone who has had it on the LEFT side, since this is where mine would take place?  And it sounds like you were very (are) very suuportive of your daughters surgery.  Mine are not whatsoever, and in fact, are giving my wife and I are a hard time.  I wish they were on board, but in the long run in it is my choice.  I know if would be a very hard recovery and I do not need a bunch of "told-you-so's," especially if something went wrong.  I need a "we're in this together despite what happens."  Anyway, thanks for listening.  PW

Thanks for the info.  As I mentioned in my last email, I was scheduled to have the Wada this past Thursday, but it was rescheduled again for this coming Monday.  I will be glad when it is over.  It sounds like your daughter is doing well so far in the recovery process.  One think I have noticed is most (if not all) of the kind people who have replied to me have had surgery on their RIGHT side of the brain.  Do you know of anyone who has had it on the LEFT side, since this is where mine would take place?  And it sounds like you were very (are) very suuportive of your daughters surgery.  Mine are not whatsoever, and in fact, are giving my wife and I are a hard time.  I wish they were on board, but in the long run in it is my choice.  I know if would be a very hard recovery and I do not need a bunch of "told-you-so's," especially if something went wrong.  I need a "we're in this together despite what happens."  Anyway, thanks for listening.  PW

Re: Has anyone had brain surgery due to epilepsy?

Submitted by peytonwelch on Sat, 2011-01-15 - 12:25

Good morning Ann!  Thanks for showing me your article.  It had some great info.  In fact, you are one of the very few people (if not the first) that has had the surgery on the LEFT said of thier brain (at least who I have spoken with).  Most people have had it on the right side of the brain.  I wonder why?  Any thoughts/comments?  Any more info you can provide on your procedure is greatly appreciated - but again, I did read your article and it had a lot of great info.  Also, please let me know if there is anyone else I can speak with that has had surgery on his/her left side of the brain.  This would alsp be helpful.  Have a great weekend!  PW

Good morning Ann!  Thanks for showing me your article.  It had some great info.  In fact, you are one of the very few people (if not the first) that has had the surgery on the LEFT said of thier brain (at least who I have spoken with).  Most people have had it on the right side of the brain.  I wonder why?  Any thoughts/comments?  Any more info you can provide on your procedure is greatly appreciated - but again, I did read your article and it had a lot of great info.  Also, please let me know if there is anyone else I can speak with that has had surgery on his/her left side of the brain.  This would alsp be helpful.  Have a great weekend!  PW

Re: Has anyone had brain surgery due to epilepsy?

Submitted by bella0809 on Sun, 2011-01-23 - 21:54

Peyton,

Drop me an e-mail at my user name, followed by   @ yahoo. com      I can forward it to a guy who had it on the left side 10 years earlier than I did.  He's also a patient of Dr. Doyle & Devinsky at NYU.  There is also another posting on this site of people who had it on the left side.    We are both sz-free since surgery and off all meds.

 

Peyton,

Drop me an e-mail at my user name, followed by   @ yahoo. com      I can forward it to a guy who had it on the left side 10 years earlier than I did.  He's also a patient of Dr. Doyle & Devinsky at NYU.  There is also another posting on this site of people who had it on the left side.    We are both sz-free since surgery and off all meds.

 

Sign Up for Emails

Stay up to date with the latest epilepsy news, stories from the community, and more.