I had successful AVM surgery in 2001.  I was left with epilepsy, and over the years have been treated with Keppra, tripleptol, tegtritol, and a host of others.  Nothing was effective, however, over the years the seizures have, in general, decreased substantially.  These days I can go as long as 10-15 days with absolutely no seizures, then, suddenly, get hit with 3 or 4 in one day.

Last night at the Dalls-FortWorth airport, on my way to Florida for my nephew's wedding, I was hit with one of the most powerful seizures I have had since the brain surgery.  It lasted well over 2 hours and was absolutely debilitating.  Medics at the airport gave me something up my nose that helped to settle things down, along with a couple of clonazapams there were able to retrieve from my suitcase which had already been put on the plane.

A few months ago I was admitted to a center for a week long EEG and monitoring.  During that time I had no seizures.  Dr. X, the doctor in charge of the process stated that he didn't think I even had epilepsy and could not explain the cause of my symptoms.  Dr. X is not my usual physician.  His original interest in my case was was related to a government grant project.  Through the many doctors that I have seen, in and out of this center, since the early days of my AVM diagnosis, X is, without a doubt, the one with the worst bedside manner, as well as, the doctor with the most shallow understanding of what it's like to live with epilpesy.  There is more to substantiate Dr. X's inadequacies as doctor, but I'll save that for another time.

Research has continued to show me that this center is the place to go for neurological disorders, but after 8 years of not only no progress, but, lousy treatment and the arrogance and misdiagnosis by a lousy doctor, I'm planning on searching for answers elsewhere.