Epilepsy

[Jopo1980]

OK, this topic is for all the medical experts of the forums and neurobiologists and all science freaks in general.

 

 

I have had a Localised Partial Epilepsy since age 14 and for over 10 years the doctors couldn´t get the seizures to stop and they even considered operating it, which would mean removing the affected area of the brain or cutting the nerves to that area. I was sent to surgical evaluation diagnostics in Kuopio university hospital and it was there that the doctors realized what had been wrong, they had tried to treat me for a generalized epilepsy when my case was a localised one, centered on the left frontal lobe. That is the area where the seizures begin is at the left frontal lobe of the brain, at the seat of higher mental faculties and personality. So they informed me that under present knowlege they cannot operate in that area. My guess is that they cannot operate there because of the higher brain functions present there, a surgeons knife could do irreparable damage to my personality, memories etc.

 

But to this day they have not found the underlying cause of the disease. MRI scans revealed no scar tissue or abnormalities in the brain.

 

So the question is, what is the cause of this particular case of epilepsy, any guesses?

 

Also I´m gonna pull off all stops on debate about epilepsy, as long as it relates to epilepsy you are free to debate ANYTHING, I am generous.

 

Heres an example question: Should epileptics be free to pursue any career they choose and freely pilot cars, planes etc.?

Currently epilepsy prevents you from professionally driving cars etc. Don´t even dream of being an airline pilot. (would you risk your neck in a plane with an epileptic captain?)

[Kuraikiba]

Well, interesting topic... as I happen to be epileptic. Petit mal, idiosomethingwhatever, blah blah blah. Bunch of turkey talk.

 

Most people don't realize epileptics don't always respond to strobes. Wave a light in my face. See what I care. I just would punch you out because you waving a light in my face annoys the crap out of me.

 

Course, haven't had a seizure in years, it doesn't bother me, and all I do is take meds that slowly murder my liver. Fun!

Edited August 6, 2011 by Kuraikiba

[marharth]

Voted the first option on everything.

 

1. To my understanding, epilepsy can cause breakouts that can damage your brain.

 

2. It is their choice, even if it would be a bad idea.

 

3. My posts in other threads should explain why I think this. I strongly believe that brain science will be fully understood within humanities lifetime.

Edited August 6, 2011 by marharth

[Kuraikiba]

From what I experience, my lunacy and epilepsy are unrelated. Sure, I'm frequently barking mad, but my epilepsy just makes me flop around like a Magikarp.

 

I have no illusions of having all my marbles, really. I have an unexplained violent hatred of sandwiches (I scream at them, tear them apart, and throw them at a wall whenever they are before me), and white rooms STILL make me go into psychosis. However, the cause of this is known. The cause of my epilepsy is not.

[Sync182]

3. My posts in other threads should explain why I think this. I strongly believe that brain science will be fully understood within humanities lifetime.

 

Then scientists had better move quickly, 'cause the way mankind is going humanity will have trouble lasting to the end of next century. :wallbash:

 

I have not voted because I feel that the options provided are too limiting to make this topic truly one we can debate.

[Jopo1980]

In my case they finally after 10 years of unsuccessfully trying different meds, managed to locate the source of the seizures, it is in the left frontal lobe, an area which cannot I am told be operated as that would cause drastic damage to personality etc. as the frontal lobe is the seat of higher brain functions. The upside is that they finally found medications that work and as a result I haven´t had a seizure in years now.

 

I am also happy that the current medications don´t seem to have any drastic side-effects of which I have some nasty experiences.

 

But still, the root cause of the disease is unknown as they didn´t find anything visibly wrong with my brain in the MRI scans, maybe the defect is on the cellular level?

[lostone1993]

In my case they finally after 10 years of unsuccessfully trying different meds, managed to locate the source of the seizures, it is in the left frontal lobe, an area which cannot I am told be operated as that would cause drastic damage to personality etc. as the frontal lobe is the seat of higher brain functions. The upside is that they finally found medications that work and as a result I haven´t had a seizure in years now.

 

I am also happy that the current medications don´t seem to have any drastic side-effects of which I have some nasty experiences.

 

But still, the root cause of the disease is unknown as they didn´t find anything visibly wrong with my brain in the MRI scans, maybe the defect is on the cellular level?

 

I believe that many neulogical diseases are actually some how related to our dna, I dont know much about Epilepsy. I know the general stuff. I have something similar to epilepsy (in the sense of it being undectectable cause)

The only possiblity I can think of it, I like to think of dna being similar to the codding in a computer, somthing is wrong the programing and some random stuff happens in the machine,

 

thats my thoughts though

Edited September 14, 2011 by lostone1993

[Jopo1980]

Could be hereditary causes, could be trauma, could be anything. At present we cannot explain the causes of epilepsy fully, perhaps over time.

[Jopo1980]

But here´s an interesting question: Are Epilepsy and mental conditions linked? My neurologist agreed that my psychotic episodes could very well be linked to my epilepsy. So if you have a damaged brain, it can cause all sorts of conditions.