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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

I know where you're coming

Submitted by sdt5985 on Wed, 2018-02-21 - 10:33
I know where you're coming from. I have also considered this surgery as a cure for my seizures. I've been on more meds than I can count for my seizures and like all of them, they work for a while and then my body becomes immune to them. I've done lots of research on this surgery and decided to ask my doctor about it as well. I wish you the best with this surgery and I really hope it will help you.

I’m not sure if your doctor

Submitted by Lisaw_5aba9d9c41991 on Tue, 2018-03-27 - 15:48
I’m not sure if your doctor told you this or not but, I live in Staten Island, New York and see doctor works out of NYU in Manhattan. Like you, it was presented to me that I consider surgery, however I first had to have a pet scan and a Wada test to see if I’m a candidate. I had both tests in the past two weeks and I am seeing my doctor in two weeks to talk about the results. I was told both tests were necessary because the pet scan gives them a better picture of the brain and the Wada helps them determine if the removal of the left or right temporal lobe would affect your speech and memory. If that’s the case then they will not perform the surgery.However, even if the results of the test says that I would be a candidate for the surgery it then goes before a board of doctors who will debate all aspects of my case to see if it is a viable option. In the end they must all agree to go ahead with the operation for it happen. Of course after all is said and done I can refuse and just continue taking my meds. I’m just sending this out to you to let you how the process works. It is most definitely an option not to be taken lightly. I hope the helped somewhat. 

i am 27 years old and my nuro

Submitted by daboyz8894 on Sun, 2018-05-27 - 18:21
i am 27 years old and my nuro doctor wanted the surgery done when i was 18...  they did it on the left temporal lobe and everything went well they placed a titanium plate ....a month later i had grandmal seizures again until they found better medications which are now vimpat , zonizamide and keppra and now just petite seizures 

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