Hey Andy, how's it going? Is the Trileptal helping at all? I know that when I backed off on mine, way back when I had some remissions, if the pain came back strong it took a little longer and a little heavier dose to get stabilized again. Fortunately once things settle down I've always been able to ease it off a little again, I think that's my secret for handling the side effects well. (Do I really handle them well or do we just become accustomed to a different level of functioning? Since I'm aging as well as medicating, could I tell the difference?) I sure hope to see you post with a note saying you've had a little relief. Nancy

Hi Nancy- I'm trying to ease my way back on the Trileptal. I remember the zombie feeling I had before which was over three years ago and I don't want to go there. So far I'm just tired and relief is not really. I'm safe though and have support from my family. It just makes me sad that I'm going through this again. I had day's when I forgot this was an issue... Or could be again. I'm at the stage of not thinking straight if that makes sense. I was planning on the Gamma Knife again but my wife spoke to my Neurologist and she's putting a referal to my Neurosurgeon that I have that other thing done. I've forgot the name. The shunt thing. I don't know. I went a pretty good ways off the Gamma and had hoped to just do that again. Maybe this could just go away and I won't have to do anything. I totally feel new to this again. Hope you're doing well. Thanks for your concern... Andy