Jerky movements

[RanMan]

Another bad side affect from long term use of Dilantin.

I don't know if this has been posted before but here it goes anyway.

I've found out several years ago that I can no longer make smooth movements such as:

When driving, I can no longer move the gas pedal or brake in a nice easy motion, just "jerky" motions like a ratchet wrench.
It results in hard braking or quick starts. It also effects other things such as operating a computer mouse. (no accurate control, just jerks) or doing fine precise work or helping my wife with the clasp on her bracelet or necklace.

 

[Dolores]

Ranman, I find it interesting that we have such different reactions to the same medications. I'm on a higher dose of Dilantin (same dose of phenobarb and no mesasol) and have been for decades. Yet I don't experience the same side-effects. I have always driven a standard-shift car and work at shifting smoothly - not so easy now that I have a metal bar supporting my left ankle & keeping it stiff.

My big problems are with overdosing given the way Dilantin can suddenly increase or decrease in your system (more like a sine curve than a linear geometric increase). When I'm overdosing I start to lose my coordination and sense of balance. And I do believe it adds to depression. Oh, and then there's the lack of memory thing that I keep forgetting about! :roflmao:

Dilantin is controlling my seizures so I'm not willing to change but yes these side-effects are not fun at all no matter which set of effects you experience.