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4/13/95 Dear Dorothy Joan Burnett, My wife, Aviva, on the usual medications, used to black out two or three times a week. Sometimes more. We never knew whether to attribute it to cerebellar atrophy, low blood pressure or what. Aviva's blackouts were seldom longer than a few short seconds but this was often enough to bring her down and did cause lots of bruises and a broken bone or two over the last couple of years. I am pleased to say that, as of her bilateral pallidotomy on March 1, the fainting spells have not recurred even though she still tires quickly from normal household tasks. I figure she'll need another month to bounce back completely from the double procedure. Instead of sleeping 22 hours a day which she did for the days immediately following the surgery, Aviva now seems to need no more than about 10 hours with rests during the day. She figures she'll be back driving in a week or two, something she hasn't dared do for almost 2 years. Among the many blessings that have come out of this pallidotomy (performed by Dr. Iacono of Loma Linda) is that Aviva now sleeps very well which she hasn't done for a couple of years. Physiotherapy is helping her build on some of her gains including walking, speech and balance. Her local neurologist is still having trouble digesting it all. Aviva's a little worried that she hasn't got her full stamina back yet. Anybody else take a long time to bounce back from pallidotomy? Blessings, David S. Devor [log in to unmask]