I'm baaacckkk...

moonchild1970 · #1 04-17-2011, 01:42 AM

Well two days ago, on Thurs, I was riding bikes home from my son's elementary school with him and had a seizure on the bike and wrecked. When i came to, I was not breathing right and it scared the hell out of me. I am just soooo happy to be alive.

The E.R. Dr has started me on Dilantin. And after amonth i am to go back to my regular DR for a blood test. Was just wonde4irng everyone else's experience with this med as I am a bit nervous about starting on a new drug. So please everyone tell me about the good and the bad.... ty

**Nakamova** · #2 04-17-2011, 09:47 AM

So sorry about the recent seizure moonchild. I hope you are feeling a bit better.

Dilantin tends to be well-tolerated and well-known -- and cheap -- since it's been around for over 50 years. It was the very first med I was put on. I had seizure control with it, and I didn't notice any particular side effects. On the negative side, it drains calcium out of the system, much more than the newer anti-epileptic drugs, and so long-term it can be bad for bone health. Long-term use has also been linked to cognitive issues, and peripheral neuropathy (loss of sensation/tingling in fingers and toes.) It can also cause gum overgrowth, which I did start to notice after a few years.

In general, it's used in the ER a lot, since people can be put on a loading dose right away (unlike, say, Lamictal which has a slow taper), and has a long history of monotherapy. But neurologists tend to want to go for the newer meds, and it may be that you will eventually be switched off Dilantin.

moonchild1970 · #3 04-18-2011, 03:31 AM

Thanks. Hoping it will work. I just cannot take this having seizures every night
and now days too.

**Meetz1064** · #4 04-18-2011, 04:19 AM

That really sucks a hill o'beans MoonChild.

I was on Dilantin for more than 35 years, and it did a great job of controlling the seizures, but the side effects of bone health and dental issues are now starting to show themselves. (Let's just say I've had a rough week or so.)

Give it a chance, see what you think of it. You may do well on it, and if you're not comfortable with it, ask your neurologist to change!