What drugs do they give with Gamma Knife treatment typically?

[MDemisay]

Guys,

It's me again! Obsess-o-matic! I'm wondering what drugs that they give for pain and will they interfere with my Keppra that I take daily for seizure control? Can I have music piped in while they are performing the procedure?

I will be awake right?

Mike

[Bonnie B.]

I had GK in March.  I was given Ativan orally and Versed via my IV.  Your doctor can tell you if any of the relaxing meds will interfere with the meds you are on.    I was told to bring my favortie cds, which I did, and that really helped.  I focused on the music.

I was very relaxed and found that the worst part of the treatment was the numbing of the scalp prior to the frame being put on.  I didn't feel that at all. 

Good luck and keep me posted.

Bonnie

[MDemisay]

In 1992 my wife was given Ativan for her Breast Cancer treatment I remember that well. After being treated we went to the gift shop just after she had treatment and she bought some scarves to put over her head which she threw into a drawer and later said "I don't remember buying these!" Will my Ativan taking make me forget the experience? I never want to forget this experience or be groggy like she was.

Luckily, this year will be her 20th year cancer free!

Mike

[Bonnie B.]

It will absolutely NOT make you forget the experience.  I believe I was given only 1 mg. of Ativan.    I remember the entire day and wasn't the least bit groggy.

[chloes mema]

Good to see that Bonnie gave you an answer.  I was going suggest you PM her.

Good luck, Mike, you'll do great.  We're all here for you.

Karen

P.S.  Now that was funny.  Went I clicked on Post it came back & said some one had just posted so check my entry (or something like that)  Never saw that before.  Bonnie you beat me out.

[MDemisay]

Bonnie and Karen,

I know you have my back.  Am I normal to have these dreads this far out? It is good to know about things before going in. It's so good to know about things before they become irrational fears.

Mike

[Bonnie B.]

Mike,
You are completely normal in my book.  I think most of us have the same feelings prior to going into something new that concerns our well being.    Karen is correct in that there are so many people on this forum to lean on.

Bonnie

[Twindy]

Mike, I just had Linac on tues.  they gave me Valium before numbing the pin points.  I had a reaction to the CT contrast dye so was also given Benadryl and a steroid.  I was very sleepy but remember it all, although would have liked to have been less sleepy.  In my instructions it said that if you are taking seizure meds you doctor may want to adjust the dose, so be sure to talk to your doc about that.  I think it had more to do with the procedure than than interacting with other meds.

[MDemisay]

Bring it! I AM STRONG! I AM HEALED!   Cellular death to Irv!

Mike

[Bonnie B.]

Hurray to Irv's death

[Bobette]

Yes, Goodbye Irv!  (sung to the tune of "Goodbye Earl," the Dixie Chicks)   

[MDemisay]

Addendum to this post:

On June 11th, I went in and was pleasantly suprised by an easy process. I took the miniscule tab of Ativan and relaxed as the dose took effect! I was suprisingly happy as I went in for the practically pain free process. However, the needle did sting a little for about 2 minutes then the other 3 didn't hurt at all. I must admit, that when they led me out of the room by wheelchair for the CT scan, I was distacted by the nurse's insistance at knowing about my veins (which are difficult at my arms but easy at my hands) each nurse learns differently however and most nurses don't apologize (this one did). As I was wheeled back to the Gamma Knife Treatment area and I had my"I AM" CD ready I was amazed at how easy this process was and how much needless fear I had put into it.


To all about to undergo this same process, let go of your fear!

Be well! Trust in God! For those of you who  don't, trust that you have made the right choice yourself!

Mike

P.S. I may be stuck with Dead Irv but at least he's dead.