Shrinking of the cerebellum

[RanMan]

I have been on dilantin for 27 yrs and one major side effect that I've noticed is ~ shrinkage of the Cerebellum. When I lose my balance and fall to the ground, I find it hard to get up or if I want to get down on my knees, I can only go down about half way and then I have to let myself fall the rest of the way, then I find it hard to get up (Cerebellum controls motor functions).

This is also why my balance and gait are getting worse.
Anybody else experiencing the same type of problems?

Randy

[Blessed]

Randy,

I found this old post and it caught my attention. I was on Dilantin for 19 years and my neurologist wanted me to get off of it because of the possibility of a shrunken cerebellum as well as osteoperosis. I don't know that I have experienced the same side effects you are describing ( I've been off Dilantin for almost 7 years) but I was warned about them. Is there any other med combo that will work for you?

[brain]

Randy,

I found this old post and it caught my attention. I was on Dilantin for 19 years and my neurologist wanted me to get off of it because of the possibility of a shrunken cerebellum as well as osteoperosis. I don't know that I have experienced the same side effects you are describing ( I've been off Dilantin for almost 7 years) but I was warned about them. Is there any other med combo that will work for you?

How much Dilantin were you on Blessed?

[Blessed]

I was on 300 mg. Dilantin for most of those 19 years. During each of my pregnancies (3) I took 260 mg. Not a big difference I know but I felt better taking as little as posssible when I was pregnant. I have 3 strong, healthy boys today with no birth defects from the Dilantin. I did, however deliver my last 2 sons prematurely. (They're doing great today!) My OB was not sure if there was a connection to the Dilantin or not.

[Stacy]

Oh boy. That does not make me feel good. I've been very good about taking my 300mg Dilantin / day and am experiencing seizure reduction. I also need to work more on the "no sugar" and "low carbs" diet. Things are going well. moderate exercise is helping, as are hormones, stretching and my diet.

I hope I can get off my medicine before my shrunken head is displayed on a stake in the ground.

[Nancy]

I was on Dilantin early so I can't remember the dosage, but when I saw a recent neurologist he was looking at my records and threw a fit. He yelled that I should never have taken the stuff because I'm skinny (back then) blonde, freckled, small boned and was certain to have osteoporosis now.
He ordered that bone test and, sure enough, I had fairly advanced osteoporosis and I've been taking Fosamax since then. He says Dilantin is almost certain to cause bone damage.

[brain]

Oh boy! My Neuros have done a
lot of Scans but never said anything
about any shrinkages and I had been
on -----> 400 - 600 mg
Dilantin / Phenytoin for ages!



The only thing it did was wreck a havoc on
my teeth where my Oral Surgeon stated that
he wanted me OFF of it and on another anti-epileptic drug
before he could perform surgery as there were
newer and better anti-epileptic drug's out there.

I still call Dilantin the "Spare Tire in the Trunk"
something to fall back to in case all else fails.