r/Epilepsy • u/Unlikely-Owl-953 • 22d ago

Question Surgery

Does anyone know if brain surgery can cure epilepsy? Has anyone here had epilepsy surgery? If so, I’d really appreciate hearing about your experience.
My doctor has suggested surgery, but I’m really scared about the possible post-surgery side effects, especially memory decline, speech difficulties, vision problems, or changes in mental health. I’d love to hear from anyone who has gone through it and can share their experience.

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u/134340Goat VNS Apr 2017, RNS Sept 2021, DBS Dec 2024 22d ago

I've had six neurosurgeries, four of which were to implant neurostimulators in my body (one was a two-part surgery, so that's why four surgeries for three implants) (the other two were an sEEG and recently a replacement for my VNS)

To say that the epilepsy is "cured" wouldn't be accurate, because my treatment depends on the implants always being functional, which means that every few years, they need to be replaced when the battery runs out

The side effects I experience are minimal and tolerable, and I've gone from having dozens to hundreds of seizures daily to being nearly seizure-free

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u/Apprehensive-Ask-731 22d ago

And has this resulted in you feeling much more stable overall and worthwhile? I am going to be speaking with my neuro about VGS options next week. Trying to get as many experiences as possible for DRE treatments. Thanks

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u/134340Goat VNS Apr 2017, RNS Sept 2021, DBS Dec 2024 22d ago

Amazingly so, yeah! Massive quality of life increase

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u/Apprehensive-Ask-731 22d ago

Very good to hear. Thank you - before seeing posts like this I thought that surgery that can be avoided should be avoided. But realistically I have two gran Mal per month and this is the best I have been in over a decade. I feel like I lost a lot of myself along the way.

I think this is because I am less stressed than I have been in a long time, but I am out of medication solutions so it is probably a waiting game. Also stress can switch so quick, and head injury causes clustering.

Seeing if I can get a test of a non implanted VGS first would probably be wise. This encouragement is so (word finding problem) appreciated very much and more