Quote:
Originally Posted by Porkette
Hi Kandra,
Before I had brain surgery done I had to go through a lot of tests. I had an MRI, CT and Pet Scan, e.e.g., Wada test, Spect scan, visual field tests, along with neuropsych. tests to be sure I could handle the surgery both emotionally and physically. I had ultrasound surgery done where you have to stay awake during the surgery except when they cut into the skull, they put you out for that but in many cases the patient will wake up before they are done cutting and that's what I did. I was in the hospital for 10 days after surgery. I couldn't lay on my right side for 6 months nor could I get my head wet for 6 months. The worst part of the surgery for me was getting 5 shots across my forehead for the local anthesisa to go into my system and then they put 42 staples in my skull and when it came time to pull them out it hurt like crazy. Today a person can have gamma knife surgery done this type of surgery is a lot safer and much quicker. The Dr. pinpoints the area of the brain triggering sz. and then they will drill 4 small holes into the skull to put a special helmet and then they wish high frequency radio waves and radiation to destroy the area causing sz. many people go home the same day they have surgery. some have to stay overnight if they receive to much radiation or if there are any problems. Here's wishing you well and May God Bless You!
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Wow, Sue....!!! You sure had a rough time after surgery...and during! I did ask her today about surgery but she said it's difficult to do on patients such as I who probably do not have
one specific foci. She told me no bleed or temporal medial sclerosis on MRI...then casually mentions that I had a few white spots in my white matter which sent me off into a tizzy! I said I've had STROKES?!?! (She forgot she was talking to a RN) and she said no no, common for people my age (I'm 53) plus diabetes (I don't have diabetes) or who have coagulation problems (that I do have but am on Coumadin). She told me they were punctal, meaning pinpoint and were nothing to worry about. Well, why bring it up then? She highly regretted saying anything...lol. We're getting a followup CT because of the head injury to make sure there wasn't a very slow bleed...I told her I was having short term memory issues.
She started me on Topamax (along with the Tegretol XL)(I asked to be switched due to amount of copay from the Carbatrol). She also told me not to be drinking water all the time due to low sodium caused by Tegretol but to drink items containing electrolytes. I don't know of any that don't have calories also...and she wanted to make sure I take enough Calcium and Vit. D.....I was happy she seemed to be on top of those type of problems that can so easily occur. I do have a history of kidney stones and the Topamax can cause those. I sure hope I don't have a problem with it.
Thank you sooo much!!!
