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22 year old nervous about brain surgery

Tue, 09/27/2011 - 11:38
Topic: Surgery and Devices

Hi, this is my first post

I'm 22 and have had partial complex seizures my whole life. I've recently been looking into surgery now that I've graduated college and want to live out on my own and can't drive. Over the past 6 months I've had a variety of tests that I'm sure many of you have had...EEG's, PET scans, MRI's etc..and those were just to locate the seizure activity.

 I met with a neurosurgeon and he told me that through the tests they couldn't exactly locate where my seizures were coming from, but that it was the right side of the brain, and most likely it was the parietal lobe. They want to do 4 surgeries in a matter of 6 months, the first of which includes putting a GRID in my brain to possibly pinpoint exactly where my seizures are coming from. I guess I would just like to know if any of you have experience with this or have had this surgery before. I'm nervous trying to make a decision because of the risks..swelling of the brain, loss of cognitive function afterwards etc...I mean is it worth the 50/50 chance of being seizure free?

Comments

Re: 22 year old nervous about brain surgery

Submitted by Dnasty on Wed, 2011-11-02 - 02:36

I am 20 years old, exactly the same. Can't drive and can't get on with my life really. In 2007, I had a Venus Infarc (stroke) when they put the grids on. It rarely happens. I lost all use of my left side. In a week I moved my leg, I got it all back with some weakness. I've been living with it my whole life and I'm sick of it too.  I just had EEG, MRI, and an FMRI done over the past few months. Soon, I'm going to San Diego to have an MEG done. Hopefully It'll be good and they can do a resection and take it out.. It might sound crazy to have another brain surgery after the other failed. I just want it over so I can finally start my life. I can't wait until they take that piece of my brain out that's been F***ing my life up. It'll be worth it... GO FOR IT!!!!

 

I am 20 years old, exactly the same. Can't drive and can't get on with my life really. In 2007, I had a Venus Infarc (stroke) when they put the grids on. It rarely happens. I lost all use of my left side. In a week I moved my leg, I got it all back with some weakness. I've been living with it my whole life and I'm sick of it too.  I just had EEG, MRI, and an FMRI done over the past few months. Soon, I'm going to San Diego to have an MEG done. Hopefully It'll be good and they can do a resection and take it out.. It might sound crazy to have another brain surgery after the other failed. I just want it over so I can finally start my life. I can't wait until they take that piece of my brain out that's been F***ing my life up. It'll be worth it... GO FOR IT!!!!

 

Re: 22 year old nervous about brain surgery

Submitted by sberra01 on Thu, 2011-11-17 - 12:59
hey dnasty and brydy--boy--you guys are so young.. I am 44 and had an eeg, fmri, mri and had to undergo a 4 hour psych evaluation but unlike you two they were able to figure out where my seizures were coming from. On October 14th, 2011 -I had a frontal lobectomy at Mayo clinic in Rochester. My last official seizure was Oct 13-th--guess where--during that dang psych evaluation!! I sure hope you don't think I am rubbing it in but please do not give up... keep pushing and find out where your seizure are coming from--they should be able to figure it out. I am still on my meds--(for about 2 yra they say)I too suffered from complex partial seizures but also had some grand mals mixed in(for fun)Please hang in there--I am very surprised at how well my recovery has gone--I'm sure by the faith of God. If either of you have any questions please let me know:)The surgery was about 4 hrs--I went in on a Fri and they sent me home the following Mon.

Re: 22 year old nervous about brain surgery

Submitted by kat908 on Thu, 2011-11-17 - 14:19
Hi--I started having seizures when I was 5 months old and always in my sleep, I am now 53 yrs. old. Noone knew about them until I was married. It started with my husband hearing moaning and he would wake me up at 5-6AM. I would wake, respond and go back to sleep. One morning I wouldn't wake up and had a grand mal right in front of him, woke up in the ambulance. Went on meds that I would become immune to quickly and would have more seizures as time went on. Doctor told me I was a prime candidate for surgery. Went through all those tests as well and they located the area. Took tests a few more times to verify that that was the only area causing seizures. Finally decided to go in for surgery January 2003 and came out feeling like a while new person. Yes, I still take meds but at a much lower dose. So what I am saying to you is to keep persisting to locate the area(s) where it's happening and go for the surgery. You will be extremely happy you did. You brydy23 andDnasty both have my support 110%!!!!

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