I'm baaacckkk...

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moonchild1970

moonchild1970

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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. :woot:

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 :)
 
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 AEDs, 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.
 
Thanks. Hoping it will work. I just cannot take this having seizures every night
and now days too. :(
 
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 neuro to change!
 
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