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Surgery And Memory
A MyEpilepsyTeam Member asked a question 💭

Since our memory is so bad from having seizures and taking meds. Having surgery will make memory worst or better?? I am so close to doing surgery now.

posted September 12, 2022 (edited)
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A MyEpilepsyTeam Member

My memory has been about the same, just I can remember things that I would consider very important I guess and my family doesn't understand as to why

posted September 12, 2022
A MyEpilepsyTeam Member

ToChau, I have had 2 surgeries done L temporally (in 2009 and 2010). I needed to relearn to do so many simple things that we so take for granted! Yes, it took time for me to relearn to read, speak clearly and use both of my hands together in simple life activities. I even went back and graduated from Bible School! PTL! I do continue with difficulty in finding words when I am speaking, and sometimes confuse words (and I'm not even aware of it). This has not stopped me from working (part-time) as an Occupational Therapist helping others.
Re: Your concern about memory: The L temporal lobe focuses on short term memory and speech control. The R temporal lobe is long term memory and creative kind of skills (art, music, etc.). The Limbic System includes the amygdola and hippocampus. This governs emotional aspects of behavior, while the hippocampus together with portions of the cerebrum function in memory. I do understand your concerns about your functioning skills, including speech, memory and reasoning skills. I didn't have anyone available to ask questions of when I went through the surgeries. It was a long, hard road, but I'm grateful that I have much better seizure control. Finally, I now have a Neuro who actually is listening to me! PTL!
Some things that helped me to relearn needed life skills included: Sensory Integration Therapeutic Exercises* and "taking pictures" of items (by holding my invisible camera with both hands and visually focusing on the item in order to "take a picture"). When I use both hands, I'm using the R & L temporal lobes and my occipital lobe for vision. When I tie together these 3 parts of my brain, it really has helped me to remember simple things that are important. I pray that you will have peace as you have to make decisions here. Only God can do that! Please take the time to seek Him and pray! Shalom Maire'

* Please look up Sensory Intergration Therapeutic Exercises on-line. They help in so many ways!

posted January 31, 2023
A MyEpilepsyTeam Member

Be careful if you are thinking about brain surgery . My ex- fiancé tried it and it didn’t do him a bit of good

posted September 22, 2022
A MyEpilepsyTeam Member

Almost every surgery is different.
0 promises are made with how you will come out of it. But the doctors can make some reasonable guesses considering what piece of brain they are removing.
I was suppose to lose hearing considering they removed my whole right hearing cortex. My hearing got better, my cognitive processing got better, and I've been seizure free since they did my 2nd resection and got everything they were suppose to the 1st time.
My memory is better because I actually sleep. I'm not on a constant stress cycle causing more and more seizures.
Always always always talk to your doctors about the ripple effects of going under the knife. We all have had different procedures and different parts removed. Your doctors have a better idea what they want to take out and what it actually does.

posted September 13, 2022
A MyEpilepsyTeam Member

I had the surgery. The memory got better but when it's really bad to start, it doesn't take much to improve. When I went off meds, it got even better but still not the best. The thing is in order, the most important thing to me was seizure control and I got a lot more than what I expected. Then comes memory and even thought it isn't great, it's better and I'm seizure-free so how can I ask for more?

posted September 12, 2022
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