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Should I get surgery? What are the options?
Sun, 04/24/2011 - 21:55I have had "E" for about 20 years and while the medication works to stop Tonic Clonic seizures none of the medication I have taken has done anything to stop the Simple Partial and Complex Partial ones I get about once a fortnight. I can't work drive and I'm cutting myself off from people cause things are really affecting my life. I want to go out without being afraid I'll get a seizure.
Problem is I have little money obviously and I don't know if I have to pay for it all. Australia has a good Public health care system but I don't know whether it extends to this and whether I should look into it. Any info would be good.
Re: Should I get surgery? What are the options?
Submitted by Cato on Mon, 2011-04-25 - 00:09
Hi Monkie, I too have complex partial seizures. I was two years old when I started having seizures. I was seizure free ( maybe simple partials and not being able to identify them) anyway when I turned 40 they started again! I have been on many drugs and none are stopping my seizures. I have retractible seizures. Anyway, long story short, I am in the process of having surgery. It's a huge decision and so so scarey! To top it off I am 53 years old! I want to drive again, be independent, not have so many side effects from the drugs! I have a beautiful grand daughter and 3 more coming this year. I want to be able to take them to the park! It's so hard socially because friends get tired of picking you up and driving you home. Even if they say they don't! It's very depressing! Anyway, I'm over it! I am ready for surgery. I am very confident in my decision and with my epitologist and neuro surgeon! They are fabulous and think I am doing the right thing. They are confident in me! I will first have to have depth electrodes put in and have brain mapping in hospital for approx. 2-3 weeks to capture and make sure the focal seizure is coming from only the right temporal lobe as the focal point. This seems the worst test of all. It is still a brain surgery. A wada test after that. I'm rambling but I am new on here and want some advice as well. How old are you? And has anyone else heard or known anyone my age having surgery? I say to you, go for it! You want to be independent! In a year you'll be recovering well and may be driving again! That is my goal! I forgot, I have approx. 13 seizures a month, but am in good health. Good luck to you! Cato