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Risk of left temporal lobe surgery

Sun, 08/23/2009 - 23:43

I am 30 and have had epilepsy for about 7 years over that time things havent improved, they have gradually got worse. I recently went to see my neuro and i was very surprised that the first thing he mentioned was surgery. However he did say that because it is my left temporal lobe, the surgery would be too risky. He mentioned that my memory and my speech could be effected. So he said that i have to just keep persevering till i find a medication that works!! Im not sure if it is the fact that i live in New Zealand and things like that are extremely expensive and the public health system here isnt very good.

I have been reading peoples stories about the success that they have had with temporal lobe surgery and i would like to be able to think that it can work for me too.

If anybody else has been given these warnings but  been able to go ahead with the surgery, it would be good to know how you did it.

Thanks 

Comments

Re: Risk of left temporal lobe surgery

Submitted by bella0809 on Wed, 2013-04-03 - 20:54
I had szs for 36 years and finally threw in the towel and had the lobectomy (left temporal lobe, amygdala and hippocampus) .  I have been seizure-free since surgery in 2005.  I have been med-free since 2010.  I continued to recover from coming off meds.  The side effect of lamictal seemed to cause more problems than the seizures and the surgery.  I started on meds in 1970, so I guess since I had problems with the left-side, my right side picked up the slack. If meds aren't working for anyone, see if you qualify for surgery and investigate the keto-diet or atkins diet (or both).

Re: Risk of left temporal lobe surgery

Submitted by tcameron on Wed, 2013-04-03 - 22:57

Thank you for the info.  I need to get off these AEDs.  I'm taking Clonazepam, Dilantin, Lamictal, and Vimpat.  After a seizure I take Lorazepam, if I know to take it.  I usually don't know I had a seizure, because I'm alone most of the time.  Thanks.  I will consider it.  I don't want to, but I've got to get off all these AEDs.  Not only are they extremely expensive, they're also poisoning my body.  Hopefully, once I at least reduce the dose I'll be able to think more clearly.

 

Thank you for the info.  I need to get off these AEDs.  I'm taking Clonazepam, Dilantin, Lamictal, and Vimpat.  After a seizure I take Lorazepam, if I know to take it.  I usually don't know I had a seizure, because I'm alone most of the time.  Thanks.  I will consider it.  I don't want to, but I've got to get off all these AEDs.  Not only are they extremely expensive, they're also poisoning my body.  Hopefully, once I at least reduce the dose I'll be able to think more clearly.

 

Re: Risk of left temporal lobe surgery

Submitted by anotaris on Wed, 2013-04-24 - 13:20
Hello, my husband thew in the towel after 17 years and is moving forward on May 7th. HOw was your Wada test prior to surgery? Did you have the 2 step surgeries.. mapping and then resection? Are you staying on a ketogenic type diet or how long did you follow that type of diet? I am sorry for all the questions... as the date nears us, anxiety is high! Regards ajard

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