Hello all.
As with all medical procedures/surgeries, gamma-knife or stereotactic surgery can cause side effects. It’s my belief that the more information we have, the better able we are to make an informed decision, the better able we are to ask the pertinent questions of our Consultants to help us decide.
I would like to let you know the following:
Post surgery I have experienced so much improvement in painful and debilitating hemiplegic migraine. 18mths later, though, I began to experience seizures, they often look like strokes… left side weakness, (I’m a right leg amputee, childhood bone cancer and so completely debilitated by this), facial drop on the left side, become speechless but splutter and struggle to swallow and choke. A few months on and I’m now told I have “neurogliotic changes” on my brain. These appear to effectively be scar tissue, causing lesions on my brain which have led to a diagnosis of epilepsy. However, my Neurology follow up, after one phone consultation from Dr Hayat at Leicester Royal Infirmary and one MRI, will not be until 4th January 2024. And only this after months of trying to bring it forward. Having finally been diagnosed I’m now using anti-convulsants and these are, to a large extent, controlling the seizures.
I am now diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer, spinal mets and am more than halfway through palliative chemo. If I’m still alive to bring you the results of that Neurology follow up, I will of course.
However, please be aware that along with the benefits of stereotactic surgery there can also come side effects. Do ask your Consultants what the risks are and how any lasting effects will be managed. If, post surgery, you experience any “weirdness” or unusual pain or symptoms, don’t be afraid to speak up and let your Consultant know. Thank you for reading xx
