It's Just Benign: Connecting Benign Brain Tumor Survivors Everywhere
Shelby Melton RNS's Page
Latest Activity
Julie commented on Shelby Melton RNS's blog post Attention All Keppra Users"Thank you Shelby. I went to the brainline.org site and read the lost and found. Wow, does that say it all, or what? My daughter has been telling me all that. I cannot even imagine what she is going through.
I forwarded the…"
Shelby Melton RNS commented on Shelby Melton RNS's blog post Attention All Keppra Users"*traumatic brain injury is what I meant"
Shelby Melton RNS commented on Shelby Melton RNS's blog post Attention All Keppra Users"Julie I apologize for the delay in response. Have had quite the eventful few days. I can definitely relate to the personality changes. I have fluctuated with the hostility since the surgery. I think it is a combination of the area of the brain and…"
Julie commented on Shelby Melton RNS's blog post Attention All Keppra Users"Hi Shelby. I have a question about Keppra. My daughter had tumor resection Feb. 11 (she is 30 years old) and we were told she will be on Keppra for six months. It has made her crazy. Even now that she is off the steroids, she is…"
Ann Manzi left a comment for Shelby Melton RNS"Marla, It's been awhile but just checking in. I know life can consume our time but know that I wonder how you are. Do take care. ann manzi"
Shelby Melton RNS commented on Susan Goodwin's blog post MEMORY and WHO WE ARE"I am a survivor of a tumor in the right temporal lobe. It has affected my emotions and behavior dramatically. The frustration of dealing with memory loss and difference in "intellectual" functioning. The…"
John commented on Shelby Melton RNS's blog post Attention All Keppra Users"The Vimpat was tolerable though I think it did make me a bit more emotionally unstable and a bit off. Since it is an anti-epileptic drug, I don't think it helped very much with my organic non-epileptic episodes."
Carol Phillips commented on Shelby Melton RNS's blog post Anger Management"Shelby,
Thank you for your note. I haven't really noticed a change in my son's behavior since the two surgeries in July. Honestly. His demeanor . . he has been a challenging kid since birth. I call him on what he utters.…"
Shelby Melton RNS commented on Shelby Melton RNS's blog post Anger Management"Hey Carol :) I know it is probably difficult trying to care for your son and he is not himself anymore. You should sit and talk with my mom about somebody being harsh :/ I have been a pretty mean person myself at times. My personality has changed…"
Shelby Melton RNS commented on Shelby Melton RNS's blog post Attention All Keppra Users"I am glad you are finding the information helpful :) The generic for Keppra is levetiracetam so this would be the same medication. It should work well as long as it is used in combination with another anti-seizure medication. I am finally at a point…"
Ed commented on Shelby Melton RNS's blog post Attention All Keppra Users"I am taking Levetircetam with Lamotrigine for about 3 years now and seizures have been under control. I was taking Keppra but it was to expensive."
Carol Phillips commented on Shelby Melton RNS's blog post Anger Management"My son is still on Keppra. The doctor wanted to keep him on it one year post-op. Now that he is going in for his THIRD surgery in a couple of weeks, I suppose they will keep him on it still. Anger? He does, but I think it is…"
Profile Information
- Who are you?
- Survivor
- What type of tumor do/did you have?
- Cavernous hemangioma of the right temporal lobe. Tumor removal via craniotomy in June 2010.
- What kind of info do you want from this site?
- Support, medical advice, the ability to talk with others who can understand what we go through
- What city & state or city & country are you located in?
- Florida
- How did you find itsjustbenign.org? Please be as specific as possible.
- Searching the internet for groups who could understand what I have been through
- *** It's Just Benign is a public site. Only members can participate on IJB but, it's fully searchable on search engines. ***Please note that your membership will not be approved if you don't fill out the application in full detail. Enter your initials to continue. Thank you.
- SM
Shelby Melton RNS's Blog
Attention All Keppra Users
I am a Registered Nurse and tumor survivor. I have noticed that quite a few of you have mentioned you are taking only Keppra for seizures, as I am. But I feel I should let you know that Keppra is intended as an adjunctive therapy, meaning it should be used along with another anti-seizure medication. Alone it is not as effective as a treatment for seizures. If you are taking Keppra only and your seizures are not controlled consider discussing this with your… Continue
Posted on January 7, 2013 at 5:24pm — 8 Comments
Anger Management
Does anyone else suffer from bouts of hostility since their surgery? I have a real difficult battle with anger and depression. It feels almost uncontrollable at times. Not in a "I'm going to murder you" way, but in a "get out of my face" way. I hate it. It's difficult. It makes me feel terrible and causes me so much anxiety. And it becomes a vicious cycle because the anxiety causes more feelings of hostility. I feel almost like I have PTSD. Any others out there need good punching bag? ;)
Posted on December 14, 2012 at 9:46am — 11 Comments
Comment Wall (6 comments)
- At 3:14pm on February 27, 2013, Ann Manzi said…
Marla, It's been awhile but just checking in. I know life can consume our time but know that I wonder how you are. Do take care. ann manzi
- At 6:48pm on January 9, 2013, Carol Phillips said…
Hi Shelby,
Thank you for "friending" me. Yes, I am still here, but haven't visited the site much. I should. I found and epidermoid tumor (cyst, technically, but they do become quite large at times) site. It is good yet a bit discouraging as all the rage is over one very bright, very good neurosurgeon. Dr. Fukushima. He operates in Japan as well as at Duke University.
My son's neurosurgeon is L. Sekhar, M.D. from Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, WA. I like the guy. Not only is he nice but he doesn't seem to beat around the bush; and!! . . he prays before each surgery! I really like that. I work with doctors so think I am a good judge of them . . .
I did research Dr. Sekhar before my son's first surgery. He is supposed to be an expert in brain stem surgery--his name is EVERYWHERE on the Internet. Therefore, it was surprising that people on the epidermoid blog haven't heard of him . . . do you have an opinion?? Oh, I'm a bit miffed because they told us they had removed "ALL" of my son's tumor with his second surgery (two in July, ten days apart due to size of tumor). . . Sorry to unload.
- At 9:59am on December 21, 2012,
Hanna Leigh said… Hi Shelby! :) Thank you for your kind words, I hope you're doing okay and have a happy holidays. It's nice when people encourage you, it makes you feel stronger. I'm doing better now, but I can definately feel the fatigue more since I've gotten off steroids (so I sleep it off lol). That's cool that your daughter's name is Hannah, and you're right, my nickname is Hanna Banana! :)
- At 9:31pm on December 17, 2012,
Beth Rosenthal said… Hi Shelby! I'm glad you found the site, too. It is very difficult to live with something not understood by many. However, it's nice that IJB is appreciated by you, especially since I know what it's like to live without support for over almost two decades. There were few support groups (none for BTs), no internet,and the worst for me was that physicians did not understand my nerve pain and let me live with this pain that made me want to jump off of the Brooklyn Bridge. As difficult and as devastating all of our experiences are, I appreciate when an IJB member can appreciate the site. Thanks so much Shelby and thank you for your comment!
Thanks Shelby!
Beth
- At 4:33pm on November 28, 2012, Susan Konick said…
- Hi Shelby,
I too live in Florida and was diagnosed 6 months ago with a trigeminal schwannoma. Have been to many doctors and finally found one I love in Pittsburgh. After being told I had to have immediate craniotomy by dr at Cleveland clinic (in Cleveland) I was then told by dr at university of Pittsburgh that I could wait and watch. Be diligent. Don't do anything without doing your research. Write if you like and I would be happy to keep in touch.
Susan
- At 8:31pm on November 27, 2012, Beth Rosenthal said…
Hello Shelby. Happy Holidays and welcome to It's Just Benign!
I started IJB because I had such difficulty finding benign brain tumor survivors, like myself. I'm a long-term survivor (but have many side-effects), diagnosed in 1985 at age 11. There was no support for me then, no internet, little family.
Besides connecting with survivors, we can exchange medical information here, get support from survivors like us and connect both on and offline!
There are Q&A’s with a respected neurosurgeon, nutritionist and pain specialist under the Resources tab. Please feel free to submit a question to the Doctors and they will answer!
Also there are many different groups such as religious discussions, migraines, seizures, depression and anxiety. Please feel free to start one of your own as well!
Please consider making an annual donation of just $10 for the year to help us with the website, social media and other administrative expenses once you see the value from the services provided on IJB. The fee is necessary for the website to continue and new members get a month free! I hope IJB is a valuable resource for you.
Also, feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns. Thanks again for joining and we look forward to hearing all about you!
Thank you,
Beth
© 2013 Created by Beth Rosenthal.
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