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Post-op worries... (Read 7945 times)
Shan
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MM Survivor ~ May 27,
2005

Posts: 849
Honolulu, USA, usa, 376, 346, HI, Hawaii
Gender: female
Post-op worries...
Jun 18th, 2005 at 9:02pm
 
Hi Moyamoya Family,

I am now 3 weeks post-op from my double bypass surgery on my right side and am concerned if what I'm going through is normal.  I was told that I still have "some blood" on my right side as a result from a CT angiogram I had done yesterday.  The dr. said that it could be the reason I am weaker on my right arm/leg. 

The dr. increased my dilantin to 400 mg a day, and has also added percasine (sp?) and niacin, along with 81 mg. aspirin, and 1/2 a plavix.
Are any of you taking the same meds?
I (knock on wood) haven't experienced any seizures and don't mind taking the dilantin, but the dr. said he will eventually take me off of it.  I'm concerned because I've seen another topic that said they were have seizures 5 moths post-op!

I'm scheduled for an EEG...some kind of test regarding your brain waves.  Has anybody had this?  Is this normal procedure? 
DOES IT HURT?


If anybody knows, please let me know. 

I truly appreciate everyone!

Take care,
SFH   Embarrassed
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"Love, Accept And Respect All Things And All Situations In Life … They Are Especially&&Designed For Your Personal Learning" ~Howard Willis
 
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ExtremeLife1986
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Re: Post-op worries...
Reply #1 - Jun 18th, 2005 at 9:24pm
 
Maybe I can be some in sight for you. The 5 months post opp is me. I for the past couple of months have had symptoms of seizures like shakeyness, exhausted, lack or loss of concentration and those things. I was on Dilantin but i was taken off and put on trileptol a diffrent sezure med and I to am on enteric aspirin @ 325 mg. I had an EEG done and no it does not hurt. The put this cap on your head it is a little tight, the attach these wires to it put this smelly liqiud on your head and flash some lights in your eyes to make shure your brain waves are active its no big deal. The most gruiling test to go threw is the angiogram. Seizures and stuff are generally normal from what i have been told and read. Unless you are like me and had none then started having some its not much to worry. Obviously if you are/had something you should notify your neurologist/surgeon and see what the say. I wouldnt stress to much on this and besides stress isnt good itll raise your blood presurre wich is bad for the blood flow in your head. Try to relax as moya moya is diffrent from person to person and what can and will happen will be difrrent too.....
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Shan
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Honolulu, USA, usa, 376, 346, HI, Hawaii
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Re: Post-op worries...
Reply #2 - Jun 19th, 2005 at 3:34pm
 
Thanks Extreme!

Just a quick question...when you have seizures, do you black out?  That's what I thought seizures were....when you lose conciousness...  Have you also heard of Persantine?
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kotipup
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Landenberg, USA, PA, Pennsylvania
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Re: Post-op worries...
Reply #3 - Jun 19th, 2005 at 5:54pm
 
My daughter's had many EEGs.  It doesn't hurt one bit.  All they do is stick electrodes to your head, and measure your brain waves.  It takes about an hour, and they may show you flashing lights, or ask you to hyperventilate.   The only problem may be getting the glue out of your hair! (nail polish remover works very well)

Also, if you don't have a history of seizures, I think staying on Dilantin for an extended period of time would not be a good idea.  Seizures can happen, but you shouldn't expect them to happen... the seizure medicine can actually cause more problems (it depresses your brain function).

I don't have any other advice on the meds.  My daughter is on aspirin, too.

Jenny
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moyamoi
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Re: Post-op worries...
Reply #4 - Jun 19th, 2005 at 9:21pm
 
Just a quick word about hyperventilating with an EEG - I was warned specifically to NEVER hyperventilate with my condition, by my neurosurgeon. It can trigger strokes or other symptoms.
Moira
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CarasMOM
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Re: Post-op worries...
Reply #5 - Jun 20th, 2005 at 11:20am
 
Cara was told not to hyperventilate with her EEG either.

Was painless...interesting...I was exhausted as I had to keep her awake til Midnight ..then put her to bed...and wake her up at 4am...keep her awake until we got to the hospital for the EEG.  After they put the wires on her head (glue each tip on).   The test showed abnormal brain waves...this was maybe few weeks after her second surgery......then they decided to do the 24 hour EEg...where she wore a wrap for 24 hours with electrodes glued on scalp then a wrap, and wore a monitor on her chest...and was suppose to press the button every time she had a "TIA"...her neurologist said the brain waves improved and said she didn't have seizures...but to continue on the anti seizure medication, Trileptal.   Wink CarasMOM
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Warm Hugs and Prayers, CarasMOM (Carol)
 
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ExtremeLife1986
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Re: Post-op worries...
Reply #6 - Jun 20th, 2005 at 12:12pm
 
No I dont black out and that is what people generally think but not all seizures make you black out. I am full conciousand aware of whats going on. My seizures i just get really shakey jittery like shakey sometimes i loose concentration for a few min then afterwards im tired for a day or too. Nothing really scary after the first time it happens. I have never heard of Persantine what is that
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« Last Edit: Jun 20th, 2005 at 12:14pm by ExtremeLife1986 »  

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Shan
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Honolulu, USA, usa, 376, 346, HI, Hawaii
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Re: Post-op worries...
Reply #7 - Jun 20th, 2005 at 8:25pm
 
Extreme,

This is what I found on Persantine..I believe it's because I was told that my blood is clotting too much/fast.  I'm taking 75 mg 3 times a day.  I
've also been told to take Niacin (flush free) 100-200 mg.  Ever heard of that?




Persantine helps reduce the formation of blood clots in people who have had heart valve surgery. It is used in combination with blood thinners such as Coumadin.

Some doctors also prescribe Persantine in combination with other drugs, such as aspirin, to reduce the damage from a heart attack and prevent a recurrence, to treat angina, and to prevent complications during heart bypass surgery.

Most important fact about this drug
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Persantine is sometimes used with aspirin to provide better protection against the formation of blood clots. However, the risk of bleeding may also be increased. To reduce this risk, take only the amount of aspirin prescribed by the same doctor who directed you to take Persantine. If you need a medication for pain or a fever, do not take extra aspirin without first consulting your doctor.

http://www.healthsquare.com/newrx/per1331.htm
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"Love, Accept And Respect All Things And All Situations In Life … They Are Especially&&Designed For Your Personal Learning" ~Howard Willis
 
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ExtremeLife1986
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Re: Post-op worries...
Reply #8 - Jun 20th, 2005 at 9:58pm
 
Yes so I read. After you asked me about it and ater i posted that post I looked it up or more or less my mom looked it up for me. That is a first I must say as i have never heard someone on that kind of medication. Better safe then sorry though as IM shure there is a good reaosn for the medication probably a major thing is it being a blood thinner and if your blood is clotting to fast im shure its good. I am on 325mg enteric aspirin besides my seizure medication.
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CarasMOM
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My 11 year old Cara has
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Sedalia, Missouri
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Re: Post-op worries...
Reply #9 - Jun 21st, 2005 at 2:04am
 
Cara's seizures...we have been calling TIA's....she is fully aware of them happening, able to walk to me.  There are variation kinds of seizures if you look up seizures/eplipsey...they list the variations and describe each kind/what happens...etc.  After Cara's EEG's ...the neurologist says that Cara's seizures are non-eplipitic ones...and the more I read...that the "spells" are common in the healing process during the aftermath of recovering from those MM surgeries.  But still when I look under "stroke-related" websites...they describe a TIA as "warnings" for a upcoming stroke...so I am always what those little "spells" should be called after one has had their MM surgeries...especially since my Cara has had ...to be honest...by now at least 250 of them....so common that we know the signs...of when its coming, and when it ends (she yawns)...so I can understand those of you who only have one or two every so often making it harder to catch the "signs".   

Smiley CarasMOM
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Warm Hugs and Prayers, CarasMOM (Carol)
 
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ExtremeLife1986
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Re: Post-op worries...
Reply #10 - Jun 21st, 2005 at 2:48am
 
CarasMom,

Yes you are right there are diffrent catagories of seizures and diffrent types under those catagories. I have had a few here and there and generally start with me loosing my concentration for a few min getting really jittery then i get tired. My last episode though was diffrent. I got really shakey and dizzy and for like atleast about 30 min i couldnt move my head cause if i did i got light headed. Then for a couple of days following i was exhausted. My primary care said it sounds like my last spell was a tia wich in case comes to your point. My others spells my doctor said all sounded like sezures but a tia my doctor said can make you dizzy and light headed then leave you feeling tired. I am as well fully aware of whats going on around me and can walk i just dont until my concentration comes back. I do see my nuerologist wensday to see what he thinks.
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Seachelles
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Fredericksburg, USA, usa, 474, 157, VA, Virginia
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Re: Post-op worries...
Reply #11 - Jun 21st, 2005 at 12:56pm
 
I've actually heard of Niacin.  When I first started having my health problems, I was asked to start taking Niacin.  It turns out that I had an allergic reaction to it, or so I thought.  Apparently, it's an over-the-counter type of medicine (kind of like a Vitamin in a way) that has side effects that include a flush feeling (like you are getting real hot).  It made my whole body real blazing hot, made my pulse and blood pressure get high and made me start itching.  I don't care if that's normal or not, I was NOT going to take that again.  It wasn't worth it.  Plus it basically just helps to lower your cholesterol without taking a real medication, and I really don't have a problem with my cholesterol.  LOL!
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Michelle
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Shan
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Honolulu, USA, usa, 376, 346, HI, Hawaii
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Re: Post-op worries...
Reply #12 - Jun 21st, 2005 at 3:07pm
 
Wow...I think I need to start researching "seizures."  I'm not sure what it was, but I started feeling weaker in my left arm/leg.  The dr. said it was weaker last week, but today seemed a little worse.  I also felt nausea.   I'm trying not to worry because then I'll get anxiety, plus I know raising your blood pressure isn't good and may increase chances of stroke.  It's a weird feelling...like numb pain..if that makes any sense.

Okay, this may have been answered before, but
what is the difference between a TIA and a seizure?
  Can one tell the difference?  Also, does TIAs mean that a major stroke is yet to come?  If anyone knows, please let me know.

I really appreciate everyone's support by giving me insight on my newly diagnosed MM!

Thank you very much!   Kiss

God Bless,
SFH
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"Love, Accept And Respect All Things And All Situations In Life … They Are Especially&&Designed For Your Personal Learning" ~Howard Willis
 
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shgr
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raleigh, USA, usa, 469, 184, NC, North_Carolina
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Re: Post-op worries...
Reply #13 - Jun 21st, 2005 at 3:09pm
 
I had the same reaction with Niacin...hot flushes, prickles and itchy.  I was told it was normal, but I said no way as well! ;Grin I have my limits!

As for the seizures, I have been having a lot more TIAs lately, and I find it very interesting that the doctor said that dizziness, lightheadedness, followed by sleepiness can be related to a TIA.  I have localized seizures in my fingers (twitching), hand and arm.  These often happen when I have over-exerted myself, or even when I am eating!Wink

Finally, as many people have already written, the EEG is no big deal.  They strap a bunch of electrodes to your scalp and flash a bunch of lights in your face.  It kind of made me nervous that I would have a seizure, but I didn't.  The 'glue'isn't that bad, it just made my hair pretty greasy.  The only two tests they did on me that I hope to never have done again (although my hopes are in vain) are a spinal tap or an arteriogram. Sad
Hugs to all,
Stephanie
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Most of the important things in the world have been accomplished by people who have kept on trying when there seemed to be no hope at all. Dale Carnegie
 
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ExtremeLife1986
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Live For Today !!!!

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Re: Post-op worries...
Reply #14 - Jun 21st, 2005 at 6:43pm
 
Maybe this will help this is informtaion from a website webmd.com

A transient ischemic attack is a temporary interruption of blood flow to part of the brain. This interruption of blood flow causes symptoms similar to a stroke, but TIA symptoms are temporary. A TIA may cause you to have vision problems, slurred speech, or the inability to move one side of your body, but the symptoms will usually end after 10 to 20 minutes. In some cases, symptoms can last up to 24 hours.

Although the symptoms may go away quickly, a TIA needs to be treated as an emergency—as symptoms occur, you have no way of knowing whether they are from a stroke or TIA. A TIA is a warning signal that a stroke may soon follow.1 The only difference between the two is that symptoms of a TIA are temporary.
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