Seizures After Weight Loss Surgery

Have you had seizures since your weight loss surgery?

117.

117 entries.  That is all.

Double Duty.

 

After going to the wrong parking garage, into the wrong building, and then taking a 3.5 year old down on a very brisk walk to make it 15 minutes late to my appointment:

I met with my neurologist today, to follow up and discuss my continued complex partial seizures.  

He was very helpful and patient, explaining that he wished I had more face-to-face follow ups with him, as he did not know I was still having such trouble with the seizures.  It's apparent that email contact does NOT translate well, and he was unaware that I was struggling so much.  Although, to be fair, I haven't seen him.  When I was hospitalized, I saw "a team" of neurologists, and was not under his care directly.  The follow-up has been online, and I thought that was enough until I got back in to see him.  I emailed several times to share my troubles, but it appears that it just did not translate.  The moment I explained it to him in person, he understood completely and gave me an hour of information.

Here's the thing.  I have shared before that I have a very small area of my brain that is malformed, that has been there since birth.  While many people who have this issue tend to show problems FROM EARLY ON, I didn't.   I had no problems with my brain, ever, in 25+ years of living!

I was perfectly healthy (yes, including The Fat, I didn't have any co-morbids aside from high blood pressure during pregnancy) until ... approximately 18 months after my gastric bypass.

His theory -

There is a possibility that the Perfect Storm of RNY Gastric Bypass, possible vitamin issues, anemia, pregnancy, etc... TURNED THE DAMN THING ON.  Fine.  He suggested that just maybe! the further I get away from the issues that trigger the seizures, they will go away.  This would be wonderful.  Problem?  We don't know what the issues are, but he agreed that it could be stemming directly from my GUT.

The medicine I was given one year ago (that I didn't want, it's got nasty side effects) stopped the grand mal seizures, but did not stop the complex partials, so I am to try taking two at once in an attempt to slow down and stop the little seizures and perhaps wake my ass back up.  The drug I have been taking -- a form of Dilantin -- makes me blaaaaaah, sleepy and hungry, among other things.  

After discussing the pros and cons of other meds, we decided on going back on the Dopamax in addition to the Dilantin.  This might just do it -- the combination -- even if I lose my words, get jacked up and tingly -- I might be seizure-less. 

The side effects of Topamax should also help the side effects of the Dilantin.  O-o  

What?  Topamax makes me Super Beth, Tingly! And Dumb!  Let's go!  I could REALLY use that.  The dumb part sucks, but yanno?  Who's to know?  I work for myself.

And, pssst... it has a lovely weight-neutral or weight-loss effect.  I may have lost 25 or so lbs on it last time, and regained 30 since I quit it.

So.  Medicate the brain more.  Hope it works better and keeps me from slicing a finger off with a Paula Deen knife while making dinner, asking a  grocery store cashier for "sugar, I need sugar, I am sorry I just need sugar!" with no memory of doing it, or wandering off like your elderly grandpa.  If I can STOP the complex partial seizures -- I can rule the world.  Or, at least slice onions when nobody's home, take a bath, or take a walk.

And, move toward finding the actual cause of the seizures.  More.  More pushy-like.

111.

111 entries into the seizure registry as of today.

Boiling point, pretty much.

Do you take seizure medication?

I was put on a few medications for a short time each, until we settled on Phenytoin last February.  I take one pill each night.  And, it's working.  I can't complain, I haven't had a grand mal seizure SINCE I started this medication.

But.  I've also gained a lot of weight and I've been a rotten miserable wench since I started taking this medication.  And other fun side effects, but again, I hate pointing a finger at a medication, because the Dr. says that we cannot medicate a side effect, so I deal.

Not well.

I also still HAVE the initial problem that sent me looking for help.  The swooshy-partial seizures.

THESE are making me crazy.  Sure, a grand mal is one thing, but they're dramatic and OVER!  The smaller seizures are repetitive, and known to me.  I have no memory of a big seizure, but I can feel this other THING happening.

And I would like them to STOP.

It had to be done. Welcome.

Yet another topic that really deserves it's own location.  Seizures After Weight Loss Surgery.  I feel that this topic requires more.  More attention, more conversation, more involvement from my peers who are ALSO dealing with this.  Because posting snippets about this somewhat randomly on my main site hasn't been of much help aside from terrifying pre-op WLS'ers.  

I am not blogging to scare anyone.  I have zero interest in keeping YOU from having weight loss surgery.  In fact, go have it.  Have it twice!  Frankly, I am hoping to have another procedure myself.  I have zero knowledge if my neurological issues have ANYTHING to do with my roux en y gastric bypass anyway.  It's just my gut (ha ha) feeling.  If I ever get a "THAT IS IT!" diagnosis, all I will get out of it?  Is a Big Huge I TOLD YOU SO.  And, during the process?  I hope to help someone else.

That's all.

But, why blog?  

Because.  I can.  And, I sort of had to.  

If you followed the progression of my blogs till now, you will know that I wasn't able to work outside of the home due to my seizures.  I did not drive for a year.  I had to make The Best out of my situation, and with zero income coming in from my side of the equation here, I started making work of the internet to buy the groceries.  

At this point, my seizures seem to be controlled by medication, but I am still having weird-o episodes (which were the initial reason for seeking medical treatment) that keep me from driving for long stretches or considering eight hour days in an office with flourscent lighting.  I want to work.  I don't think it's smart for me to do it Right Now, considering what I am qualified for is basically stocking shelves in bad lighting.  Not to mention the pay is peanuts for the stress it would bring to the household, and GAWD knows we do not need any more stress.

So I blog, at home, typically in my sweatpants.  I blog here, there and everywhere that I can find interest in.  I hope to make Real Work of this somehow/someday for a dependable pay check.  But for now, blogging for groceries is working, better than I ever anticipated.  :)  Thank you.