TL; DR - Had neurosurgery, head hurt badly for a while but after 2 weeks I was basically fine and although it has returned, it's far less severe and frequent. Do it if you can

So basically I was having around 25-35 partial seizures a month and had tried every different type of medication. Whilst this stopped me getting full seizures, it was still rubbish having that many.

The surgeon told me beforehand that he wouldn't lie, my head would hurt. When I came round after surgery, I only woke up for a few seconds to ask for a drink of water then I fell asleep again. The next two days are a bit of a blur. I could feel them measuring my blood pressure on my leg, and I remember the nerosurgeon checking up on me. But aside from that, I was either asleep or feeling utterly drowsy when I did wake and then go straight back to sleep.

On the third day they let my family come in to see me. It was a big relief that none of my memory was lost, I knew exactly who they were as soon as I saw them. My head was wrapped in bandages. I had a headache in the background that wouldn't go away, but the worst was when after 30 minutes or so my head would start absolutely thumping with pain (in time with my heartbeat it seemed!). This then lead to me feeling knackered again. It was frustrating when I'd already taken my daily allowance of painkillers and I could't take anymore.

Anyway, after just under 2 weeks I returned home. I stayed round my Mom's for a few weeks (you're meant to be off for three months in total). When I eventually took the bandage off it was better than expected. They had shaved the left side of my hair off, but the top and all the back/right were still there. It felt a bit 'mushy' to touch.

I had to carry on taking painkillers regardless. There were a few times when I woke up with a thumping headache. I could stay up for between 30-60 minutes, but then I'd end up having to go back to sleep for a few hours.

After 2 weeks had passed, I went home. I still had to take it easy, but it was just incredible not to be having seizures! Once 6-8 weeks had passed, the 'lumpy' bit where they did the surgery had been getting firmer and firmer. After a while, you forget about it (and obviously the hair has grown over it by then).

I still had to stay on my medication (1500mg Keppra, 4500mg Tegretol Retard) for a year. After this, me and my specialist agreed to come off the Tegretol altogether (this was reduced by 500mg a month, so it took about 8 months to just be on the Keppra).

Unfortuantely, just short of a year after the surgery I had my first partial seizure. It was incredibly mild, but I was still gutted when it happened. I didn't have another one for a few months, but then slowly but surely they started returning.

The massive difference is that if I had one, then that would be it for the rest of the day (unlike before where I could have 5-6 a day). Whereas before I always had a bad headache and felt shattered, this time I felt fine within a minute or so, didn't feel tired and didn't need to take painkillers.

What I think everyone needs to think about is their diet. For example, I had my suspicions that Red Bull was triggering them but I didn't want to accept that (when I was down the pub I like to have a few). I could go a month or two without anything but then when I did have one it was a really bad one, complete with feeling like I was going to suffocate. Since being off that, I've gone 2 months without anything. I had a very mild one last week, but I think that was a combination of stress, funny working hours and other things on my mind (long story).

So, I know everyone's different, but my advice to anyone wondering is that unless you can honestly keep it under control with medication and it's not affecting you too badly then go for neurosurgery. It's improved my life so much it's unbeliveable :-)