Is It Normal Following Brain Surgery For Trauma To Constantly Have A Drugged Feeling In Your Head?
Some symptoms may persist long after brain surgery for trauma.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
In some cases, despite the successful surgical treatment for brain trauma, some symptoms may persist for too long, including yours.
These symptoms may be related to the duration of the brain structures compression before surgery or may be caused by a temporary lowering of the blood pressure or brain oxygen supply that are two possible mechanisms related to the brain injury.
In most of the cases, these symptoms regress with time, however, till date, no specific treatment is known (probably that's why the other five doctors also didn't have the specific answer in this regard).
Hope you found the answer helpful. Please let me know if I can assist you further.
Take care.
This is a follow-up question to your answer on June 18 THANK YOU for your prompt and very helpful response, it is GREATLY APPRECIATED!
My follow-up question is - Do you think a change in anti-seizure medication, from 2000 MG/day Keppra to 400 MG/day Carbamezapine will reduce or eliminate the "drugged feeling" present in my head ?
If not, are there any anti-seizure medications that you know of that are known to reduce or eliminate this symptom ?
NOTE - Any changes in medication would be discussed with my doctor before any further changes
Thank you for your attention to this follow-up question, I appreciate it
400 mg of carbamazepine may not cause adverse effects.
Detailed Answer:
Welcome back.
It is a fact that all antiseizure drugs use may cause some adverse effects that may impair brain functioning too.
However, if the side effects of one antiseizure drug interfere with your everyday functioning, another drug may be tried.
If you will decide to start carbamazepine, I think the dose of 400 mg is a low dose and adverse effects are very unlikely with that dose.
It needs to be verified, however, if that dose of carbamazepine will control seizures or not.
Another thing: Keppra dose should be lowered gradually, not cold turkey.
Hope this helps.
Greetings.