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Have you had surgery for your epilepsy?

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JosephineO

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23/01/2019 at 17:01

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JosephineO

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Hello,

There are two main kinds of surgery that patients can have to help with their seizures and they are:

Resective surgery. This is where the surgeon will try to remove the part of your brain that is causing you to experience seizures. It can only be carried out when the section that is causing the seizures is very small with clear boundaries and doesn't have any impact on things like your speech, movement, sight, or hearing.

Disconnective surgery. Instead of removing part of your brain, the surgeon will cut the paths between the nerves in your brain that are involved in your seizures.

Have these every been suggested to you? Would they be a possibility for you?

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Unregistered member

24/01/2019 at 10:52

My doctor said my type of epilepsy can't be treated with surgery which is very disappointing but the thoughts of surgery on my brain does scare me...if it fully stopped my seizures, I would go for it though...

Have you had surgery for your epilepsy? https://www.carenity.co.uk/forum/epilepsy/your-opinion-on-epilepsy-treatments/have-you-had-surgery-for-your-epilepsy-2693 2019-01-24 10:52:58

Quincy

30/01/2019 at 11:09

Quincy

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Yes I had resective surgery in 2001 and it was completely successful.

Have you had surgery for your epilepsy? https://www.carenity.co.uk/forum/epilepsy/your-opinion-on-epilepsy-treatments/have-you-had-surgery-for-your-epilepsy-2693 2019-01-30 11:09:06

Unregistered member

30/01/2019 at 17:02

my daughter went for lots of tests to see was she eligible for surgery but unfortunately she was'nt

Have you had surgery for your epilepsy? https://www.carenity.co.uk/forum/epilepsy/your-opinion-on-epilepsy-treatments/have-you-had-surgery-for-your-epilepsy-2693 2019-01-30 17:02:43

lesmal

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Edited on 24/08/2021 at 09:24

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lesmal

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Thank you for explaining the 2 different kinds of surgery; for someone that hasn't been offered surgery or knows even what part of the brain is currently affected, this certainly is something to consider if I was given the opportunity.

In 48 years of having epilepsy, and from living in Zimbabwe and South Africa, we didn't have many Neurologists available together with little knowledge and information known on the subject. From moving from Africa, I am very grateful to the NHS for giving me the opportunity to have MRI/MRA testing, getting results from the Neurology Clinics soon and at least knowing what part of the brain is affected. If surgery gave me the chance of limiting/stopping the seizures, I would definitely take up the offer!

I am grateful for the extensive knowledge and testing here alone.

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Les

Have you had surgery for your epilepsy? https://www.carenity.co.uk/forum/epilepsy/your-opinion-on-epilepsy-treatments/have-you-had-surgery-for-your-epilepsy-2693 2019-01-30 18:01:02

lizzie1

31/01/2019 at 18:37

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lizzie1

Last activity on 03/01/2020 at 21:43

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We are waiting to do a 3T scan to see if my daughter is suitable for surgery . I have a feeling she won't be as her seizures start in 3 different parts of the brain . Do u know b4 the idea of surgery would have freaked now I find myself almost wishing she is suitable as life is so hard right now (& the last 5 yrs) with uncontrollable seizures ....

Have you had surgery for your epilepsy? https://www.carenity.co.uk/forum/epilepsy/your-opinion-on-epilepsy-treatments/have-you-had-surgery-for-your-epilepsy-2693 2019-01-31 18:37:38

lesmal

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02/02/2019 at 16:45

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lesmal

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@lizzie1‍ Am holding thumbs for your daughter, and hope something will come out of the scan. I agree with your comment regarding freaking out about the idea of surgery in the past, but I also wish I'd have had the opportunity for surgery to make life easier.

Am waiting for the results of my MRI & MRA scan and visit Neurology Clinic in April.

Keep us posted!

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Les

Have you had surgery for your epilepsy? https://www.carenity.co.uk/forum/epilepsy/your-opinion-on-epilepsy-treatments/have-you-had-surgery-for-your-epilepsy-2693 2019-02-02 16:45:58

lizzie1

02/02/2019 at 19:40

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lizzie1

Last activity on 03/01/2020 at 21:43

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Will do ... I hope your scans tell u what u need to hear ... can I ask u what is an Mra scan ? Thanks

Have you had surgery for your epilepsy? https://www.carenity.co.uk/forum/epilepsy/your-opinion-on-epilepsy-treatments/have-you-had-surgery-for-your-epilepsy-2693 2019-02-02 19:40:28

lesmal

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06/02/2019 at 13:35

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lesmal

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@lizzie1‍

I was also interested to know what an MRA scan was and asked for more information. Evidently it records more detail on one's blood vessels in the brain, which focuses on whether there's any weakened blood vessels, injured blood vessels, blood clotting or interruptions in blood supply.

Once I've seen the Neurology Clinic and got some feedback, I'll let you know the results.

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Les

Have you had surgery for your epilepsy? https://www.carenity.co.uk/forum/epilepsy/your-opinion-on-epilepsy-treatments/have-you-had-surgery-for-your-epilepsy-2693 2019-02-06 13:35:01

lizzie1

06/02/2019 at 16:32

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lizzie1

Last activity on 03/01/2020 at 21:43

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Thanks v much & good luck with rest ... I'm in ireland so sometimes the same tests have different names here

Have you had surgery for your epilepsy? https://www.carenity.co.uk/forum/epilepsy/your-opinion-on-epilepsy-treatments/have-you-had-surgery-for-your-epilepsy-2693 2019-02-06 16:32:05

Sunshine5

16/06/2021 at 11:40

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Sunshine5

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@Quincy I had the same surgery or similar to yours 10 years ago. It involved resecting a benign tumour in my left temporal lobe. This extended into the insula near the right side. The Neurosurgeon did not go beyond the insular as it would lead to further Neurological deficits, more likely a stroke or death.

Ive gone from having 144 complex partials a month to 3 to 5 a month with 3 medicines now. I can't be seizure free but can exercise more, confident do ing new things.

Unfortunately my short term memory speed has got even worse , impacting on my ability to understand things quickly and work quickly. I lost my job 4 years after surgery, so it's 5 years since I was in employment.

I volunteered instead until covid last year when charities closed their branches.

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syusuf

Have you had surgery for your epilepsy? https://www.carenity.co.uk/forum/epilepsy/your-opinion-on-epilepsy-treatments/have-you-had-surgery-for-your-epilepsy-2693 2021-06-16 11:40:40

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