Just Saw this on W-Five

[epileric]

W-Five just did a documentary on E & the operation for it. Overall it wasn't too bad. Of course they had to start by showing someone who had T/C seizures since they're more dramatic but they also explained about partial seizures which I hope helps break the stereo-type of everyone who has E convulsing on the floor.

I pretty well enjoyed it but towards the end it started to sound like an ad for the surgery. They also said that 80% of the time the surgery was a success. I believe that statistic if they are talking about immediately after the operation but they didn't say how long after the subjects were followed up on. Because the longest after the operation that they showed anyone was 6 months.

Also they presented the surgery as though it were the magic bullet & I'm very reluctant to believe that.

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNew...0516?hub=WFive

[skillefer]

Don't you just hate it when they present a biased approach? From the stories I've read online, that 80% success rate is just for immediate after surgery...alot of people who post have seizures past the 6 month mark.

[epileric]

It looks like the surgeons in Canada are really pushing for people (and now babies) with E. to get operations. The one good thing about this article is that they do give the stats of how successful the operations were a year afterwards. So far that's the longest after an operation that I've seen anyone document the results.

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNew...523?hub=Health

[Cint]

Don't you just hate it when they present a biased approach? From the stories I've read online, that 80% success rate is just for immediate after surgery...alot of people who post have seizures past the 6 month mark.

Well, I guess they could have ruled me a success, then. I went 14 months without a seizure after surgery.

Now, I feel like a complete failure in all aspects when it comes to control of seizures. When the seizures started again, they were worse than before surgery!! How's that for success???!!!

[skillefer]

See, that's what I mean. I think that the media and sometimes the docs are way biased. I'd rather see them give teh stats for all the alternative therapies, meds, and operations in the paper and let the patient choose what's right for them..but only after they have ALL the info. And if that means they don't push anything until they've actually researched ALL of the alternative therapies, then so be it.

[epileric]

See, that's what I mean. I think that the media and sometimes the docs are way biased. I'd rather see them give teh stats for all the alternative therapies, meds, and operations in the paper and let the patient choose what's right for them..but only after they have ALL the info. And if that means they don't push anything until they've actually researched ALL of the alternative therapies, then so be it.

I can't help but wonder if the media or the medical community actually have monitored clients for longer than a year but are just not reporting it

[skillefer]

LOL...they probably have. But you don't get insurance companies and new patients for surgery to pay by being totally honest. Come on....just think about meds...they only work for 60-70% of us...but do docs tell that to new patients? nope.

[epileric]

Good point Skilly

[Cint]

LOL...they probably have. But you don't get insurance companies and new patients for surgery to pay by being totally honest. Come on....just think about meds...they only work for 60-70% of us...but do docs tell that to new patients? nope.

Plus, the docs and pharmaceuticals are best "bosom buddies". They certainly aren't going to tell the new patients about any adversities in the drug. After my lobectomy, I ended up being in that 30%, nothing works for me for seizures, but I certainly have experienced plenty of adverse side effects.