Question about meds

[KelVarQ]

Is it safe to assume that if you took a med for a number of years and got side effects: A, B, C that if you took that med again years later you would ge the same side effects or different ones or continue NOT to get a particular side effect? For ex. I was on Dilantin for years and never had one problem with my teeth and if I were to take Dilantin again would the chances of my teeth remaining in tact be higher considering I never had the problem before while taking that med? Just asking because I may go on Tegretol and the only side effect I recall was being slow, which I had with Dilantin anyway, but now since being on Keppra and Lamicatal and losing my hair I'm afraid to take anything. Dilantin and Tegretol I never lost hair and my neurologist wants to put me on Tegretol but I'm afraid of losing my hair and he says, "You were on this before and never lost hair, so no worries." O.K. so I trust those who take the drugs more than the neuros : ) Thanks.

[Meetz1064]

say this. It's a toss up. I know that's not an answer you want to hear, but it's honestly the truth.

A lot of it has to do with the hormones in your body, to tell you the truth, particularly in women, but also in men, too.

I have taken Dilantin on and off for 35 years, and for most of those 35 years, did not have any issues with my teeth, but during the last 8 years or so, my gums did start to become puffy, and quite tender. I was unable to floss my teeth at all, as the gums would bleed, and I can't handle the taste of blood in my mouth at all--it makes me throw up.

I was previously on Lamictal before, and am back on it now, and so far doing quite well. However, right now there are issues even finding it in my blood. The doctor doesn't know if that's because I am possibly developing a blood disorder (real possibility here) or if the med is just not titrated up enough. I have pretty good control, though. HOWEVER, I AM LOSING A LOT OF HAIR...and I'm not sure if it's because of the Lamictal, my thyroid--and the doctors can't decide if that is working right now or not--or a combination of both.

I am also on Klonopin again, with no issues from it either time, other than being really tired to begin with, and then being fine after I worked up a tolerance to it.

So, it really just depends, there is not a good answer either way. Sorry I couldn't be of more help......

Meetz

[KelVarQ]

Had Meetz, I know there really isn't an answer but I guess you're just hopeful. I appreciate your honest : ) Also, in regards to Lamictal I too took that years ago and I did in fact lose a lot of hair. However, it was really gradual and I never did actually go bald or anything and when they took me off my hair actually grew back thicker and healthier. As far as Keppra I lost a ton of hair very quickly! Actually I ended up with Alopecia Areata and I'm currently getting steriod shots in the bald patches and still losing hair even though I've been off the med now for almost 3 months. UGH. I guess that's why I ask about the Tegretol since I really am petrified to just go through what I went through with the Keppra. Lamicatal was much less and not as quick, so the long process was allowing hair to grow while I was losing it hence never too noticable. I can deal with most of the side effects, just not the hair loss. GOOD LUCK and thank you.

[Nakamova]

Unfortunately, sometimes when you switch from one drug to another, you end up trading one side effect for another. There is also the consideration of how long you might be on any given drug -- some of them have well-known long-term side effects.

I was on Dilantin with no major problems, but then my neurologist upped my dose and I started having "gum overgrowth". I wanted to lower my dose again, but my neurologist wanted me off the Dilantin altogether because of the potential for bone loss and cholesterol issues with it (although I didn't have any problems with either of those). So I reluctantly switched from Dilantin to Zonisamide, and when that didn't work out, Lamictal, which my neurologist loves. Hair loss definitely a problem with the Lamictal, but only for about 6 months. I'm peeved about some of it's other more lasting side effects, and also curious about what might happen long-term. Lamictal's been around for at least a decade now, don't the drug companies have any idea what the long-term side effects might be?