Lenasfriend,
I don't know if this relates directly, but when I was in the hospital (for around 2 weeks after intensive care) after having a major stroke, I remember hearing many "reactions" to stroke (or brain attack), including swearing, screaming, persistent crying.  I remember reading about that as one of the symptoms of having a stroke.  I think I was the only one on the entire floor who did not have any outbursts.  I was just so glad that they were helping me learn how to talk, walk, & take care of myself.  I found out later that if I hadn't moved my thumb on my affected side, I would have ended up in a nursing home. 

Anyway, this could still be a result of her brain surgery.  Each part of the brain, esp. when operated on or survives a stroke, can cause different reactions, depending on where the surgery was.  You might want to look up Dr. Daniel Amen, a clinical neuroscientist, who writes many books on the brain & behavior.  Good luck!  Just my 2 cents worth....deb

Hi...

...don't know if this will help ...my dad (who didn't have MM)...had numerous of strokes over the years...different parts of the brain.  And there were periods when he'd be so angry, so mean to mom, not wanting to be around people...it was hard to watch.  The doctors felt the area he had stroke was the area the anger/meaness is from that was affected and to give him time....I forgot what medication they put him on but it lift his moods, calmed down and as time went on he felt better.  Everyone is different but the brain is a difficult organ, very sensitive and I feel it is also unpredicable, too....so many factors and so many outcomes.

Will keep your friend in our prayers.  Carol

Hi,

A few more questions- just trying to get the big picture:  Who is Lena's surgeon if you don't mind me asking? Do any of the doctors she is seeing have experience with Moyamoya?  Has she recently had a CT scan or MRI/MRA?  Which surgery did Lena have (direct/indirect)?

I'm not a doctor but if they ruled out seizure, it sounds like these episodes *might* be TIAs.  A lot of people on this board have had similar episodes (including the yawning)- many are also on seizure medications for even seizure-like symptoms .  Personally, when I've had very bad TIAs, I get a litte worked up because it's scary and frustrating (hence maybe the swearing?).   I also don't like to be touched, nor really spoken to.  I have to have quiet and calm.  It seems like when I'm in the midst of a very bad TIA anything and everyone is just too much stimulation.

I'm sure this is extremely scary and frustrating for both Lena and her friends and family.  I hope Lena's doctors can figure out what is going on very soon.  In the meantime, know that there is great support here for you all.

Lisa

Thanks to all who have replied.  I witnessed one of these episodes with my friend, and can explain a little more in detail what is happening.  She starts with three yawns then she starts swearing loudly, which is out of character for her, and her body becomes spastic.  Her legs come together and are rigid.  Her arms also come together and are rigid also.  She continues this loud swearing throughout these spastic episodes and appears to be in some type of pain.  She does not focus on anything at the time, and appears to be unaware of those around her.  Her arms, still together will move to the other side of bed, as do her legs, going back from one side to the other.  During this time, her body remains totally rigid and her head sways back and forth.  The one I witnessed lasted about four minutes.  Then she falls asleep, and wakes up a few minutes later with slow speech and very tired.  She was fighting staff trying to help her during her first day of these episodes, and very angry toward them.  Noone touches her or talks to her anymore during episodes, because this was making it worse.   After two more minutes, Lena is back.  Her talking is normal and she is back to her own personality.  She has been exhausted these last couple of days in between episodes.  To try to answer some of the questions, she was brought in to the hospital because of these episodes.   The episodes started at home and seemed to be triggered by light.  The only thing that happened at the beginning was that she saw strobe lights in her head when entering a brightly lit room.  Then they progressed to these more severe episodes I have described.  When the docs shine light in her eyes, it automatically triggers these episodes.  She was at her primary, and they were quite concerned, and lifeflighted her to Boston.  I do not know the name of doc, but he is at Brigham and Children's Hospital.  She is still hospitalized.  They are now saying they think her brain is tired and is becoming overstimulated resulting in these episodes.  She has had an EEG and I believe another MRI.  They say the sight of surgery is fine, and nothing is showing up.  These episodes were described to me as violent from those who saw the first day, but I didn't feel they were violent, possibly because noone touches her anymore, they let them ride out.  Her swearing is not directed towards anyone.  She is still in hospital and wanted me to describe in detail what's going on in order to get as much info. as possible.  She was also wondering if Lisa H and Caras mom could explain the episodes  you talked about her, to see if there are similarities.  Thanks to all for your support.