Re: Epilepsy in the Left Temporal Lobe

Posted By Nancy on July 15, 1999 at 09:31:37
Good Morning,
I have recently been diagnosed with "minor controlled epilepsy" in the left temporal lobe.  An EEG showing 'high spots' in this area was used to determine this. No seizure 'type' (ie: simple partial, tonic/clonic etc.) has been 'assigned' to it though. I have never actually had a seizure in that I have never lost conciousness, lost muscle control or any of the other more common symptoms of seizures but I have suffered strange sensations in my head leaving me feeling as though I COULD loose conciousness, nausea, tingling in my left foot accompanied by a rather warm feeling that works it's way up from my foot through my left leg then genrally stops about mid way and dizziness at times. Circumstances most likely to bring on these symptoms are driving, working in front of a computer terminal (these symptoms may sound familiar, I posted a question approx. a week or so ago too) and having my ears covered with a telephone headset for an exteneded period of time (I wear such a headset in my job).
I guess my question is, what does the left temporal lobe do?  My neurologist has said that he doesn't expect this to get any worse, I am on 400mg of Dilantin, 1.5mg of Klonopin and 200mg of Topamax already to try and keep these symptoms under control and to prevent a full blown seizure from occurring.  That's a pretty potent combination of drugs I would think for not having had a full blown seizure (yet).  Is the left temporal lobe an area that, if a full blown (ie: grand mal) seizure did occur, some serious 'damage' might result?  I have tried to find information on the web about that area of the brain but most of what I find is in 'medical speak' and I just simply don't understand what I'm reading.  Thank you very, very much for you time and your help.
Regards,
Nancy.
  

[CCF neurology MD MM]

Posted By CCF neuro MD MM on July 15, 1999 at 11:27:31
The significance of the left temporal lobe depends on whether the person is left or right handed. In right handed people this is the dominant hemisphere and the temporal lonbe plays a very important role in speech and memory, especially the formation of short term memory. Damage to this are including ongoing seizure activity can cause memory problems. In an adult a single seizure from this area should no cause long ter pronlems but ongoing seizure activity can cause memory problems. Seizures from tyhis are a can be very subtle, involving only staring and automatic movemnets of the hands or lips , there does not necesarily have to be a full-blown convulsion to suggest significant epileptic activity inthis area.

[Nancy__0__0]

Posted By Nancy on July 16, 1999 at 09:49:47
Thank you VERY much for your help, I do have memory problems and have for some time now.  No one has explained to me before that this could be a cause and it's a great relief to at least know there is a cause and I'm simply not loosing my mind!  The other symptoms I have don't fit with what you describe for epilepsy in the left temporal lobe but perhaps symptoms can be vast and varied in this area?
May I ask just one more thing?  Can stress (and there is a great deal of it in my life at this time) aggravate epilepsy??  
By the way, is there such a thing as, say, a counselor that can be contacted and the Cleveland Clinic where a person can discuss their current diagnosis and that counselor (it would have to be someone medically qualified I would imagine) could tell that person whether or not, based on the persons current diagnosis whether coming there, to the Cleveland Clinic, for another opinion would be a good idea?  Did that question make any sense?  You folks are wonderful to take the time to provide this service and I thank you very, very much.
Regards,
Nancy.

[Chrisie__0]

Posted By Chrissie on July 18, 1999 at 13:59:55
Dear CCF Neuro MD, MM:
I discover some profound reading here at "The Left Temporal Lobe".  I recently had a craniotomy performed (5-20-99) to gain access for extensive removal of schannoma located on the floor of my left orbit and optic nerve, deep sinus and "on" the temporal lobe.  All are caused by neurofibromatosis, producing "pain so intense it ain't even listed anywhere on the pain chart". (joke quote/Bill Cosby)
Instinct told me to wait several years before having "this" particular surgery, not only because NF called for it, but because of "fear".  My neurologist referred me to a Pain Therapist and there, I went on hold for the purpose of building my mental strength.  (and man-o-man, did I ever need it!)
Before the surgery, my pain called for a combo of meds.  They were, and still are, on a daily basis:  Neurontin- 2700 mg..., Baclofen- 60mg..., Mexiletine- 450 mg..., MS-Contin- 180 mg..., AND (whew!) Ritalin 60 mgs..., too many and too much!
To condense my story, pre-op pain on a 1-10 scale was between 8-9.  Post op pain from what I can tell through numbness is probably between 2-4.  My questions concern symptoms directly related to the functions of the left temporal lobe.  Since the surgery, I experience moments like:  
(1)  staring absently (whether sitting or standing) and catch myself before falling (it's like I wake up just in time)...,
(2)  while talking, I suddenly stop in mid-sentence- because I lose the train of thought which is mighty embarassing.
(3)  when I come out of a staring episode, I suddenly begin talking absentmindedly which is also mighty embarassing.
(4)  confusion in connection with memory (I'm a writer who never needed a thesaurus before, but now I do because I can't remember Synonyms!), plus I also have confusing memories which cause axiety because I can't place them.
(5)  I drop things continuously since the surgery.
Please shed some light on all of this.  Are all the above-mentioned problems a result of the craniotomy itself, or from schwannoma being excised off the temporal lobe?  I am numb from beneath my left eye, top of ear across temple to corner of my eye, the cheek to nose all the way down to my upper lip.  Why?
Please respond.
Sincerely,
Chrissie











Follow Ups:


Epilepsy in the Left Temporal Lobe Chrissie 7/19/1999
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Re: Epilepsy in the Left Temporal Lobe Nancy 7/22/1999
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