Surgery

Hi Renee,I had a right temporal lobectomy on 10-22-04.  I have been seizure free for 18 weeks.  I am weaning off of medication.  I started having aura's in 86 when I got pregnant with our first child and I didn't know what they were.  With each pregnancy they got stronger, in 94' when our last child was weaning, they were really bad.  I was tested for everything under the sun.  When I passed out behind the wheel of our 5 speed escort wagon, with our 19 month old daughter, I spent 4 days at Tripler Army Medical Center in Hawaii.  My EEG, MRI, CAT scan, etc were normal.  I was discharged on a Friday with an appointment on Monday, Oct 31, 94 with a neuro doc.  He said he could diagnose me with EP, but it would ruin my life.  I sat right in front of him and had a seizure.  That began the next 10 years of numerous medications, and combinations of medications.  In 96' I was flown by military plane to Walter Reed Army Medical Center for evaluation to see if I was a candidate for surgery.  The seizure focus was too deep.  More meds.  At the beginning of 2004 my seizures got so bad I was falling.  I fell down half a flight of stairs, and out of our shower bit my lip through.  I needed stitches.  In May I had to switch from seeing my private Neuro to the Navy Neuro because the Navy insurance said.  I was really nervous.  Esp. since my private doc was just starting the work up on me for surgery candidacy.  Everything couldn't have worked out better.  My current Neuro, was on the team in 96' at Walter Reed.  We currently live in Virginia Beach.  He knew all the docs in D.C. and set everything up.  I saw him in June, by August I was in D.C. for my week long video EEG, and contrast MRI, and nuclear medicine testing.  At the end of those tests the neuro team said I was a definite perfect candidate.  I went back in September for the WADA test.  My last official seizure was 9-30-04.  My surgery was scheduled for 10-22-04, and I have been doing wonderfully since.  Like I said, I am weaning off medication.  Prior to surgery I was taking 4500mg daily of Keppra and 600mg daily of Topomax.  I am now on 4000mg daily of Keppra and 600mg of Topomax.  Normally, my neurosurgeon and nuerologist said the Topomax would be the first thing to be removed, but since I am on such a high dose of Keppra, I am weaning off of it first.  I should be off Keppra by Summer time, and not sure if I will go off the Topomax at all.  I may take a lower dose of it, but stay on it.I hope that helps, if you have any questions please feel free to e-mail me. Hugs,Lina