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Permalink Reply by JH on February 12, 2012 at 11:10am

Keep the possibility in mind that these are different kinds of seizures. A metallic taste or deja vu are classic "auras" or partial seizures that many people get. Swelling could bring these on, or the nature of your seizures might have changed, as it did for my husband after his treatment. (He didn't have gamma, but any neuro treatment rearranges the way things are happening in your brain and can change or create seizures as a result.)

Make sure to tell whoever prescribed your Keppra about these new symptoms. If that doctor is an ordinary neurologist or a neurosurgeon, look for an epileptologist (a neuro who specializes in seizures). If you have seizures, you're safest under the care of an epileptologist. Your doctor could give you a recommendation, or you could google for one in your area.

Take care,
JH

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Permalink Reply by Katrina on February 12, 2012 at 2:27pm

I have only had the Gamma Knife as it was the only treatment possible, but the only side effect I experienced was nausea, dizziness, tiredness, and headaches.
Feel well soon!

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Permalink Reply by ky on February 13, 2012 at 6:10am

Headaches, right hand weakness and now slurred speech..just 4.5 months GK..But I'm keeping positive and I hope all these symptoms will go away eventually.

Feel well soon!

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Permalink Reply by Stephanie on February 13, 2012 at 7:40am

Please don't misinterpret my grumblings as negativity.
I am 7 months post Gamma. I have had two post op MRI's and as of right now they can't even see my AVM due to extreme swelling. I have chosen not to have another until the year mark because the thought of injecting more poison aka contrast into my body is not very appealing. I am certain once the swelling goes down then the side effects will start to subside. I am hopeful that the seizures will end but I am also a realist and have adjusted my life to accommodate my new normal.
I am hopeful more people will share their side effects with me. I think its important that we make note of the unusual side effects so we can share it with our team of doctors. Because lets face it - WE are the experts.

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Permalink Reply by Holly on February 13, 2012 at 8:19am

WE are the experts.

So true.

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Permalink Reply by Neil on February 13, 2012 at 9:28am

I had GK treatment on my AVM in January 2007. It was right beside my brainstem, and the gamma knife was my only option for treatment (aside from emboliztion, but that had about a 1% success rate for my type of AVM - the other 99% being lifelong vegetables).

The only side-effect that I noticed was an optical migraine about two weeks post-op. It might have been produced by the dye they used for the angiogram, though, as I also had one the moment they injected the dye. I have had one more migraine (bringing my lifetime-total to 3) about 3 years ago.

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Permalink Reply by Leslye Wilson on February 13, 2012 at 1:41pm

Hi Stephanie. The side-effects that I have experienced were double-vision, loss of balance, migraines, light sensitivity to the eyes, depression, added intellectual limitations. That's all I can remember.

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