medication change
I have a new neurologist. She is so much better than the last one. The impression I got from the last one was that I should just be satisfied with how things were - my seizures are focal so he didn't seem to care if I was having them nearly every day. The other things that were going on just didn't seem to him to be a 'big deal'. He didn't come right out and say 'live with it' but his body language nearly screamed it. His disinterest made me feel like I didn't have any other options. But, new neurologist is the total opposite. She is interested in everything and sincerely seems to want things for me to be better. To achieve that, she recommended a change of medication. I am only five weeks into an eleven week change over but I feel better already. Eventually I will be off the Keppra altogether and onto Lamactil 150 mg twice a day. Lamactil is also used to treat bi-polar disorder. I've been dealing with moodiness which is uncharacteristic for me. I would be fine and then crying for no real reason and so sad. Or from fine to unreasonably irritated over things that are so not worth paying attention to or getting upset about. Of course the emotional roller coaster caused an increase in focal seizures and additional stress and then a cycle was begun. With the Lamactil in my system my moods have stabilized and while I am still having seizures they are attributable to something more of the time. (Hot/hungry/tired/anxious) I will probably always have triggers like that and will need to remember to be kind to myself but I'm hopeful that things will continue to improve.
I am approaching a year since my last dose of Temodar (chemo) and new neuro reminded me that it can take up to a year to see what long term effects of the chemo and radiation will remain for each individual. Perhaps this summer some of my achey joints will start to feel better and some of the 'chemo fog' will lift.
Next MRI is on June 11. If this one remains stable maybe I'll be able to go to a 3 month check up schedule. I think that would be okay. I like that my oncologist wants to check it regularly. Don't know if I will ever be okay with only annual or bi-annual checks. I've a friend who is on a bi-annual schedule but they were able to remove all of her tumor. They only got 70% of mine and due to scar tissue and radiation changes there have been a couple of scans that had the radiologists concerned for a bit, it turned out to be nothing but their concern was enough to make my docs want to be extra diligent. My surgeon still reviews my scans and it is so nice to get his letters a week or so after my MRIs to tell me that he thinks they still look good. I have already gotten that news from my doctor here but - Dr. P. is and always will be a rock-star to me so his opinion still carries a lot of weight for the hubster and me.
I am approaching a year since my last dose of Temodar (chemo) and new neuro reminded me that it can take up to a year to see what long term effects of the chemo and radiation will remain for each individual. Perhaps this summer some of my achey joints will start to feel better and some of the 'chemo fog' will lift.
Next MRI is on June 11. If this one remains stable maybe I'll be able to go to a 3 month check up schedule. I think that would be okay. I like that my oncologist wants to check it regularly. Don't know if I will ever be okay with only annual or bi-annual checks. I've a friend who is on a bi-annual schedule but they were able to remove all of her tumor. They only got 70% of mine and due to scar tissue and radiation changes there have been a couple of scans that had the radiologists concerned for a bit, it turned out to be nothing but their concern was enough to make my docs want to be extra diligent. My surgeon still reviews my scans and it is so nice to get his letters a week or so after my MRIs to tell me that he thinks they still look good. I have already gotten that news from my doctor here but - Dr. P. is and always will be a rock-star to me so his opinion still carries a lot of weight for the hubster and me.