Hello Dan
I'm Ashley and you and I sound a like. Except my problems are with my right
side. When I was 9 I developed epilepsy (now i am 32). My parents and doctors
also noticed that I had very little balance on my right side. I also had
trouble with my big right toe, it sticks up by its self. The doctors were not
to concerned about it. So nothing was done.

As I became older the problems on my right side increased. I was unable to run
because my right foot and knee would give out. I always had pain and had/have
to were a brace on my knee and foot. But still the doctor(s) were not to
concerned about it.

It my 20's the pain increased more, but still the doctor (i have now) thought
nothing of it.

In June of 2002 I had brain surgery on my left temple lobe. After the surgery
things were going great - no seizures!! Then in April of 2003 I had a very
strong grand mal seizure. When I awoke in the hospital room I could not feel or
move my right side. I had also lost my ability to speak and remember. As the
day went on my memory and speech was better, but the feeling on my right side
was not. After about 4 days I was able to feel my right side and walk. My
right leg and arm were very cold and numb, this lasted for around 3 to 4 months.
This is when my doctor (Dr. Fisch) finally became concerned with it.
He recommended me to see another neurologist that he worked with that dealt with
problems like this. My doctor for my epilepsy is Fisch and the new neuro. is
Ryall ( for my right side). Dr. Fisch was saying that I may have dystonia and
Dr. Ryall could give me botox shots in my right leg to help with the pain and my
big toe. Dr. Ryall said the reason that I dragged my right leg and foot when I
walk is because I have drop foot. So I was having the botox shots every 3
months. I also go to therapy 3 times a week for my right leg.
Last month I went to see Dr. Ryall for the botox shots. He had been looking
over my records and tests. He said that I do have drop foot but as for as the
pain, movement and other problems I am having with my right side is not dystonia
and he can not see of any other medical condition except for on - me having
epilepsy.
He feels that when I developed epilepsy that damage happened with my right side.
Just that it was not so severer, is why the doctors probably were not to
concerned with it. When I had surgery in 2002, that some more damaged happened
to the area that controls my motor skills. With the grand mal seizure I had in
2003, with it being so strong and bad that permanent damaged happened. He also
feels that it is a seizure that is happening when I have horrible pain in my
toe, leg, and arm. Also my right arm and leg will start movement on it own now.
Dr. Ryall said there is nothing more that he can do. That it is now is Dr.
Fisch's hands to handle.
I go see Dr. Fisch next Monday. So he and I are going to have a log talk about
this. It is really time for something to be done.

From what you said about when you were driving your son to school and not
remembering. It does sound like a complex partial seizure. You say the your
doctor does not feel that it is and you can drive. Has he/she done any testing
just to make sure you are not having seizures? If you are not happy with the
doctor you have, have you looked into finding another one? If you have trouble
with finding another doctor - one that you can trust - is there a Epilepsy
Foundation or support group were you live that can help you? If not you may
want to contact the Epilepsy Foundation of America www.efa.org and see if the
can point you in the right direction on finding another doctor.
You may also want to talk with your doctor to see if testing could be done on
you foot. It may be drop foot that you have developed. I know that my right
leg always feels so heavy and it feels like I am dragging it.

I can also understand how you feel about having memory loss. I have had bad
memory loss since the surgery in 2002. It is a lot better now. What I do to
help me remember things are - I have small note books all over my house, next to
my bed & in my purse. This way when I need to remember something I will have
paper to write on. I also make a calender every month on the dates that I need
to oder medication. So when ever I do so, I just mark it off. That way I do
not get confused on what medications need to be ordered. When I go see my
doctor(s) I bring a small tape recorder with me. This way I can record
questions I need to ask and also record our conversation. That way I do not
forget what he tells me.

I do hope that you can get some questions answered for you fast. If you do not
feel comfortable with driving then do not do it. It is better safe the sorry.
I also hope that you can get a better communication with your doctor. If not,
like I said look into finding another one. Never hurts.

I know that when I go see my doctor on Monday and he does not agree or feels he
can not do anything, then I will find another doctor that will. I had a grand
mal seizure last night and could not feel my right side. This lasted for about
5 minutes or so. I feel that every time I have a seizure it is just causing
more problems/damage to my right side. My sister and I bought feel that if
nothing is done soon, then as I keep getting older I may not be able to have
full function with my right leg and arm. I have a 3 month old nephew and when I
try and hold him, I can only go for about 2 to 3 minutes before pain starts.

I hope the info. that I have giving you can help.

Please let me know how things go. If you like you may also email me at
charmedbrown_eyes@...

Take care
Ashley






Ashley


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