Once more unto the bed...

This Saturday just gone (the 23rd Feb), I had been out for a walk in the morning and then we went in separate directions to get different things.I arrived home first, unloaded what I'd bought (which included a certain amount of beer), and went to do a few things on the computer. I sat there for a few minutes and then felt the feeling that I've felt before pre-seizure, which included pins and needles and a difficult to describe buzzing (although without the sound) in my head. I swore to myself and got up and headed straight to bed, although I sat up while I tried to establish whether this was going to be a seizure or not. I could feel it getting stronger so I took one of the new tablets that had been prescribed by the neurologist (Clobozam 10mg) then tried to operate my mobile to tell my wife what was happening. The phoone was on lock and required a security number to release it. I think I managed to do that. Then I tried calling her and I failed at the first attempt and at the second attempt apparently all I managed to do was make some weird noises and that was that.

As always, the rest is blank for me until I started to come to, luckily this time in my own bed, instead of in some hospital somewhere. I was extremely groggy and achy but at least I hadn't bitten my tongue, or overheated. I spend most of the day sleeping and also went to bed quite early too that evening. I think the Clobozam may have had something to do with that too. By Sunday I had pretty much recovered, although I still felt drowsy. But I think that's it for this time.

More good news

I saw my neurologist on Wednesday to discuss my condition. Although he was a little concerned about the "mini" seizures that I occasionally had, he was generally pleased with my condition and, like the neurosurgeon, has said that I need only see him every six months, unless something untoward happens. I have to up my dose of Lamotrigine to 400mg a day and he has also recommended that my doctor prescribe me some sort-of pill (I forgot to note the name down) which is a sort-of instant post-seizure relaxant or something. Basically he said that if I took one of these after a mini-seizure it would be highly unlikely that I would have a major seizure after that. Hopefully I will have neither, but it's nice to know that there's something that might prevent the latter.

No news on the suspected melanoma, although one or two people think that the doctor may be over-reacting. I have an appointment on the 25th to see a dermatologist. I'll see what happens then.

The good news and the bad news...

First, as they say, the good news. I had another MRI scan last week (7th Feb) and the neurosurgeon told me that the tumour hadn't grown any more. Even better, he said that he felt that I would only need to see him every six months, rather than every three like I have been doing at the moment. I'll be seeing the neurologist on Wed (13th - nice) just to check things with him, but all sounds positive along those lines.

Now the bad news. It appears that I may have a melanoma on my chest. To begin with I thought it was just a rash of some sort because I kept scratching an itch, but it turns out to be something else. I saw the doctor today who has requested a fairly urgent appointment with the hospital for a biopsy or whatever. Apparently it's a bit large, looks a bit like a mole and shouldn't appear on somebody my age. Deep joy. Apparently I'll be getting examined some time in the next month...