Epilepsy Surgery: Is it right for you?

Have you considered undergoing epilepsy surgery? For some brain surgery can result in a significant reduction or even a complete elimination of seizures. Learn about what you should consider before you decide.

The decision to explore brain surgery for epilepsy is both medical and personal. Discover how Howard Zwirn made this difficult decision and gained 15 years of freedom from seizures. Howard speaks about navigating the medical process, including his initial temporal lobe epilepsy diagnosis, the testing he underwent, and his recovery from the surgery. He also discusses how he and his family weighed the potential benefits and risks to his health, memory, and cognition.

Howard Zwirn is the Board Chairman for the Epilepsy Foundation of Greater Chicago and a Senior Project Manager at TRC Corporation.

[slh]

Wow, I can’t believe I’m seeing this video 4 days before going into my 3-7 day EEG as I try to get surgery. I am so thankful for you guys making this video.

[declanoshaughnessy]

Best wishes and best of health to you Howard 🙏🙏❤️❤️. Thanks Kelley for giving us the opportunity to highlight epileptic scenarios very much appreciated cheers Declan O Shaughnessy ❤❤

[CPappi]

I had a partial temperalectomy for my epilepsy on 1-28-08 and my last seizure was 11-15-08

[jaredanwyl]

Seeing this video after its been 4 years, I would love to see it considering the advancements in surgery. (using laser ablation, MRI....)

[iananttila]

Congrats. I am Ian Anttila, the author of Work Hard, and Don’t Give Up as I am a historic case, averaging 20-30 tonic clonics and 200-300 complex partials a day. My first neurosurgery by the historic dr Frederick Andermann (he deemed me as the worst case in his career) brought it down to that much a month! My 2nd neuro in ‘89 was no assistance the historic dr Andre Olivier new where the problem was but the lesions were just too risky. I was then put experimentally on clobazam (frisium) which assisted me dramatically. I still average 5-8 tonic clonics a month.

[declanoshaughnessy]

Best wishes and best of health to all in this group I love the truth and loving comments you put together on this story myself I am from Galway Ireland have suffered with epilepsy for 25 years went through all meds had brain surgery right temporal lobe surgery in Beaumont hospital Dublin January 2011 I remember that exam before surgery it is call the wada test which freezes the brain performance down to 50% to test which side is memory and body movement great to hear the good news you have and take care cheers Declan 👍👍👍🙏🙏

[jimchavez]

I have grandmal seizures and small episodes like him last year I started getting all the testing to see if I cualified for surgery and I did and now in December I'll be going in for surgery

[sineadmcgann]

❤so happy for you I had operations but I’m still getting them

[Tswizzle]

Partner is going to have surgery later this year for his epilepsy. I think it's only started to dawn on him that this is happening. I wish I could do more.

[tonydelariva]

I have had epilepsy since about age 14. I am now 63. I've been on many medicines, and the one that really seemed to work for a long time was Trileptal, then it stopped working. I'm on 5 meds right now and I hate the side effects. I drive (off and on because my license gets suspended at times and I have to wait a while before I get it back)and have even driven across the country. So, I have had accidents. In 2006 I had surgery to remove a ganglioglioma located in my right temporal lobe. I remember waking up and seeing everything in double vision, which lasted for a few days. I stayed in the hospital for a few days then was able to go home, but spent maybe a week or more in the house and took my share of strong pain meds. I have never had a problem with my speech, memory, thinking, etc.I ended up as good as new. Just wish my surgery had worked. So I'm a candidate again. I'm all for it if it will stop or improve my seizures.

[andrewprice]

I'm an army veteran and only did one contract but as I came back home I was working with a garbage company learning our routes. My boss was going to pay for my CDL and then I had my first grand mal. Had lost a lot because of it 3 years ago. This has been the scariest surgery I have ever had been recommended. I just feel like I need more information.

[pagalmasala]

I've had 10 opinions. Finally having surgery here pretty soon!

[MelissaMartinez-unvd]

Thank you so much for this video. Kelly Cervantes you ask all questions that weigh on my decision for my daughter. This has helped me.

[marieazrak]

I’m on the generic version of Keppra in so far it’s been working for me

[janereminger]

I've had epilepsy for 46 years now. Just starting the process to be considered for surgery; last time was 20 years ago, and I was not eligible. Hopefully this time, my seizures won't be firing from every lobe.

[isaaccarter]

what is the success rate. if i follow through with this process, and it goes wrong. will i become a vegetable?

[beverlypeterson]

I have had seizures from shaking baby syndrome and died from being allergic to Deperkote

[SoniaJbrt]

Do they do these brain surgeries to cure epilepsy here in South Africa? I started getting grand mal seizures (frontal lobe epilepsy) 25 years ago. I desperately need to get off the medication I am on because of the side effects that is essentially making me sick all the time to the point that I end up in hospital too often to lead a normal life. I really would benefit from surgery tremendously!

[halahope]

Hello, could you please tell me in which hospital the surgery is made.. I would appreciate your answer..

[marieazrak]

Is this why my family is in charge of my money iPad seizure since I was a baby?