I have another quick question.  I did a search on this one first and found nothing.  Has anyone with MM had any problems with personality changes?  I feel like I get so mean at times.  No patience at all.    Maybe its stress or could it be this disease?
Beth [smiley=huh.gif]

I do not know if that is MM specific.  I have heard from people that have had surgery that enters the skull have had personallity changes.  Some have less patients and some are more calm.  It depends on the person I guess.  A good place to read is Sharon Stones story.  She found that after her surgery for a brain hemorrhage, she is more calm.  I also have a friend from Chicago that had surgery for an aneurism who bites my head off now if I make one joke.  Who knows if it is a proven fact or if it really happens to anyone.  One could say that after this experience, maybe you just stand up for yourself more from all your trials in life.  My wife has not had any changes that I can notice, she is still just as mean to me as she was before the surgery.  Just kidding.  I think you are just fine, but if you want to research it, you must look at side effects of inter cranial surgery.  

Good luck
Wayne

Hi Bethsy!

With regard to general bolshiness, I do think I stand up for myself a lot more and for the reason that Wayne suggested. To me, I think, well, if I can get through two lots of brainsurgery then I can put my mind to anything! Maybe it's an added sense of determination. Certainly a good thing to come out of having Moya Moya! Sometimes I feel like I'm being really mean but I think that's just normal hormonal stuff - well, that's what my boyfriend puts it down to  :)

Good Luck with your surgeries.

Best Wishes,

Roselyn

Hi Bethsy,

I don’t have mm, so I’m really not qualified to say if it’s mm or not, but I have met and talked with many who live with mm, and many will attest to the fact that the stress of this disease alone is enormous, let alone life and all that goes with it, and stress can not only change our personalities, but it can also rob us of good health in mind, body and spirit. I would do some research on stress, keeping in mind the disease you have, your health and pressures of it all that must gnaw at you, and perhaps that will put things in a little better perspective. It also may be good to mention it to your doctors, I'm sure they'll understand and may be able to help you.

You're in my prayers...

Mar

Wayne,
           That cracked me up about your wife, sense of humor is good. Made me chuckle.
                    Nancy :)

I remember before Arianna was diagnosed with MM she would go thru these "moods" only they were more than moods.  I had even asked about having her checked for bi-polar.  They don't check 5 year olds for bi-polar either.  
It wasn't until later that I discovered that when she was having these  personality changes, she was having strokes.  
I am talking huge differences tho.  Maybe nothing like what you are experiencing.

Hi! My mom has MM,and she has had major personality changes. But I think hers is mainly from the damage that occured with her two massive brain hemmorages. After her first one, she would have really bad moods where she would be really mean, depressed, happy, and even kinda stingy at times(which is NOT like her AT ALL) Some of her taste in food even changed. Not sure if this will help any. Hope it does.                            Nikki

I agree with MAR: tell your Dr.s & ask for a reccommendation.  
I'd also like to suggest you read the Phineus Gage story before though.  It has been chronicled that people with brain injury to certain areas of the brain can undergo personality changes.  I believe my son did and two other people (one relative & one acquaintance) noticed it, too.
Whatever you find out, your Dr.s should be able to give you suggestions for dealing with it.

Best wishes to you.

sue

Thanks for the replies.  I will mention it to my doctors.  I leave today for a SPECT scan at Mayo's on thursday/friday.   I also started taking nortriptolyne on thursday night and noticed that one of the side affects listed was mood swings and irritability.  Not a good thing when your already stressed and a 40 yr. old female with low hormones.  :P
Thanks everyone.
Beth

Bethsy wrote on Aug 17^th, 2004 at 4:55am:

I also started taking nortriptolyne on thursday night and noticed that one of the side affects listed was mood swings and irritability.

Is that a hormone?  I would be very careful about taking hormones.  There is a long thread on this board about taking birth control pills.  Please read that!!  It is very risky for people with MM to take b/c or other hormones for risk of stroke....FYI.

-Shari

 

I definetely have MAJOR mood swings. My doctors say that the part of my brain effected is the part where personality is... I will get really happy, then really upset within minutes... Then, I end up with a migraine within a day or so (usually within hours)...

Do you have this feeling all the time or does it hit you all the sudden and then go away. Mine goes away as quick as it comes. I just have to remember to calm down when it does happen. I have lived with these "mood swings" for a long time now.

Maybe you should ask your doctor about this. I know it is frustrating to feel frustrated/angry/upset all the time... I hope it will get better for you !

:) Sara

Natalie was diagnosed in April of this year, and since then we haven't noticed significant personality changes.  However, she is having more and more trouble finishing thoughts, as if the last word of every sentence is just out of reach.  We were told to expect some struggles with cognitive abilities so we're not that surprised, just takes some patience to get used to.

STrantas wrote on Aug 17^th, 2004 at 8:51am:

Is that a hormone?

Hi Shari,

I'm not sure if this is the one that Beth is speaking of, but it may be, it's similar nortriptyline, in lower doses it's an antidepressant, and is often used to treat people who have chronic pain. I've even read where they use it on stroke victims.

Mar

Cara's first surgery was on her right side....she had a mild stroke on the left side ...her personality was GONE for few weeks...no emotions (no fear, upset moments or excitement reactions)...just laughs and smiles and seems carefree to whats going around her....since you mention its from the right side...so my guess would be maybe the region they sutured the muscle graft on her brain or did the bypass..that part was swollen and probably numb.....she's gotten ALOT back in 4 weeks...would mean she's healed nicely...will continue to as months go by, and arteries starting to sprout.

But my DAD....not a MM person but has had tons of TIA's and massive personality change...very mean to my mother...verbally and then very nice...then "very depressed".  His doctor says is the part of brain thats damaged by the TIA's he has had.

My prayers to you all,

CarasMOM.

Just putting this up on top for Daisy (Lee) to read.  Also those who are looking at personality changes should also read under "emotional suport" on the second page of comments that Daisy post about personality changes.


Wayne

Hey, to all

    Thanks to Wayne for putting this back up there.  Since my last post, I've talked to Dr. Johnston.  she told me that my scar tissue from my stroke hit the part of my brain that carries my Serotonin??.  (think I spelled that right)  she said this chemical affects my moods.  It could also cause me to deal with chemical depression.  

    Man, I am not looking forward to dealing with depression.  I need to stay optimistic about this disease and my upcoming surgery.  I can't be a basket case, cause there's no one to carry me through this.   I need to be strong and capable right now.  YEAH, RIGHT!!   So, for from it, that I have to laugh.

Thanks for sharing your info.

Lee :)
 

:) Thank you so much for talking about these mood changes. My sister that I care for has gone through these also. I have been racking MY brain to figure them out. Now, it makes sense!  She will get so happy, more than her usual self(before all this) and then DROP! Almost hasterical with fear. Tears, shaking, scared, but not knowing why. Of course, she is different to begin with and has never been able to express her real feelings much at all. SO this has REALLY thrown me. Not knowing what I can do for her. SOOO,,, I am so glad to here this spoken of. Helps me out alot. Sure wish I could help someone else with question. Sorry for that.  But thanks to all too!   MJS