[Info] When should surgery be considered?

[qtowngirl]

For anyone with/interest in TLE Surgery and Mesial Temporal Sclerosis here's a must read. Sure filled in a few numbers for me.


http://www.cmaj.ca/cgi/content/full/172/9/1175

 

[PFunk]

I really found this part of the article comforting (in bold). It's nice to know there is a chance to regain that which was lost.

Although hippocampal resection can impair memory, it has long been known that the memory deficits related to continued complex partial seizures may actually be reversed, and overall cognitive function improved, if seizure-induced dysfunction of the contralateral hippocampus is eliminated by temporal lobe surgery.

 

[qtowngirl]

I really found this part of the article comforting.

Here's mine:

In general, the psychological and social consequences of disabling complex partial seizures that develop over time in many people with epilepsy have a much more negative impact than any adverse effects of surgical treatment.

This however didn't feel so good. Have my druthers about being in the 10 per cent.

Because TLE with mesial temporal sclerosis is refractory to antiepileptic medications in more than 90% of patients with the condition.

 

[PFunk]

I assume they were able to find a focus in your temperal lobe. If so, how many eegs did it take and/or how much monitoring time.

 

[qtowngirl]

Hey P-Funk, just noticed I never answered this.
Well, they've determined the left hippocampus is damaged but to get an exact location is what the video unit is for, going in a few months.
All these years it wasn't the eeg's that picked it up, it was from my last (and 8th) MRI. It was a different radiologist who did a few different slices than any others ever had, and it showed possibility of MTS. Has since been determined by a few specialists that this is the case. Devastated.

 

[Nakamova]

I still say, give neurofeedback a shot someday if you can. MTS may be refractory to medications, but there haven't been any studies showing whether or not it's refractory to NFB. The brain is so plastic, it's amazing what it can be taught to do.

 

[Cint]

I still say, give neurofeedback a shot someday if you can. MTS may be refractory to medications, but there haven't been any studies showing whether or not it's refractory to NFB. The brain is so plastic, it's amazing what it can be taught to do.

That's probably because neurofeedback isn't covered by insurance, whereas brain surgery is. As you know, I have refractory epilepsy and had a left temporal lobectomy that made seizures worse for me. I certainly can't afford NFB now. Who covers the cost of NFB?

 

[Nakamova]

I know it's not an option for most unless you've got the extra cash on hand. NFB seems to be covered in some cases (like for treating ADD/ADHD), but unless there's a big push from the mainstream health groups, and lots of data, it will take a while before it's covered for epilepsy treatment.

 

[DayDreamer]

http://clinicaltrials.gov/

I like to keep my eye on clincal trials and any new options available. NFB or something similar may be studied and available to us.