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Surgery for a fairly well controlled condition?

Mon, 01/30/2012 - 18:36

Hello Everybody! 

My name is Nick, I am 26 and was diagnosed with epilepsy when I was 19 even though I have had the complex partials since I was 10... Anyways, I have controlled epilepsy when medicated. I take 600mg of lamictal xr and vimpat 100mg daily.  The side effects are undesirable... it negatively effects some things like memory and focus. However, if I am not medicated, I go into a state of clustered tonic clonic seizures with complex partials as well.. 

I just went through a VEEG and had 9 seizures, 2 of which grand mal.. the rest complex partial...  I was told it is left temporal lobe and that I look like a candidate for surgery.. so far... 

So I guess I am wondering if surgery sounds appropriate considering I am controlled with medication??? I do not want to live with the side effects of the medication for the rest of my life and think surgery might be better in the long run...

I actually want to have the surgery.  I like the idea of no medication and I feel very alive and excited with the thought!  

Any input would be extremely appreciated.

Peace

-Nick 

 

 

 

Comments

Re: Surgery for a fairly well controlled condition?

Submitted by rvsoest on Mon, 2012-06-04 - 15:15
Hi Nick, I'm in the same boat as you. I have 6 to 8 controlled seizures a month. They are only controlled because of the 3 different meds I take daily. I have little memory problems. The meds have side effects which I can live with. The idea that kept coming up was that My brains still get hurt every seizure! And: is my memory influenced by the meds or the multiple seizures? This question eats me! The only way to find it out is a surgery! So that's what I'm gonna this summer. We'll see what happens but I have to do it! Good luck with your decision! Ruud

Re: Surgery for a fairly well controlled condition?

Submitted by babzy on Mon, 2012-06-04 - 19:32
hi nick, go for it, i had a left temporal lobectomy 3 yrs ago.I too was on several meds which interfered with my memory.Today, i take less diantin w keppra and feel great.  I was having seizures every month even with meds.The surgery has given me seizure freedom and a new life at that. good luck in your decision/  babzy

Re: Surgery for a fairly well controlled condition?

Submitted by Chrissyml on Tue, 2012-06-05 - 12:07
I'd think long and hard before getting any surgery. A number of people have posted on various discussions here that their memory is worse, their sexual desire is gone, and, worst of all, the seizures come back after a few years. A few people here have had two or three surgeries.

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