So today I got the results from my brain scans and my EEG.
The good news: there’s no brain tumour and there’s no dementia.
The MRI was, apparently, good. According to the experts, my temporal lobes appear (appear?!) intact and the rest of my brain is “essentially normal” (essentially?). [I think someone may want to chat to the radiologist community and suggest some less ambiguous language.]
However, I was right to have sensed that something is wrong with my brain. I wasn’t imagining it.
It turns out that my brain has been experiencing some electrical challenges, misfiring and short-circuiting within both my right and left temporal lobes – pic below shows the right side (yep, it’s the lime green bit, obviously). Whilst the earlier cognitive function tests suggested left temporal lobe problems, the EEG indicates that both the left and right lobes are affected.
My 24 hour EEG was found to be “abnormal” and I’ve now (literally a few hours ago) been diagnosed with Temporal Lobe Epilepsy (TLE).
This is a form of epilepsy whereby my brain is misfiring within the left and right temporal lobes. The seizures aren’t really visible – but all of the symptoms of cognitive dysfunction that I’ve been experiencing can be explained by TLE (short-term memory issues and brain fog in particular).
We’ve no idea how long this has been happening.
It’s apparently possible that I may have aways had TLE but it’s only now – nearly three years post major surgery and resultant hormonal changes, and a month away from my 38th birthday – that my brain can no longer compensate for its own problematic circuitry. The oestrogen issue may (or may not) have been my tipping point; we’ll never really know.
What is important to note, however, is that we now know that my experiences post-BOT & post-surgical menopause are NOT typical. The TLE explains A LOT – and I remain absolutely pro-oestrogen replacement (ERT) for young women who undergo a surgical menopause.
I’m starting on some new drugs. Apparently it’s going to be a bit ‘trial and error’ and will take a few months to get the dosage right. But – hopefully – this will work and help my brain.
So, onwards.
Three years ago I was about to undergo a life-changing medical diagnosis. I didn’t really think another one would come along but hey, life sure is one never-ending roller-coaster. And my inner science-geek is actually quite excited.
As ever, thank you to family, friends and colleagues – near and far – for keeping me as sane as possible over the past week (and long before). You’re all rockstars.
Throwback to being bionic.
jozi-ovari 