RanMan
Too Much Experience with Epilepsy
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- 408
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Hi all C W E members
I have been with the same Neurologist for 40 years, and the drug that he prescribed for me was Dilantin
for seizure control.
He was very "Old school" and set in his ways.
He advised against me trying a new drug for my E. and that most of the newer Adds have not been around long enough to be proven as a good AED.
He refused to address my issues (Long term side effects) such as poor gait, balance, coordination, astigmatism, erectile dysfunction etc.
At first (1979) he had me believing that this (Dilantin) was a miracle drug b/c it was controlling my seizures with very little side effects, I found out recently that it should only be used for short term use.
He recently retired, so I was forced to find a new Neurologist.
WOW, What a breath of fresh air.
He showed concern with my long term side effects and immediately started me on Lamotigine (Lamictol) and slowly reduced my Dilantin level gradually.
Most of my previous side effects are less evasive but my cerebellum of my brain has shrunk as a result of long term use of Dilantin. (this is the part of the brain that controls your motor skills as per my recent MRI).
Now I feel that my seizures are almost totally under control, and I feel so much better.
I have been with the same Neurologist for 40 years, and the drug that he prescribed for me was Dilantin
for seizure control.
He was very "Old school" and set in his ways.
He advised against me trying a new drug for my E. and that most of the newer Adds have not been around long enough to be proven as a good AED.
He refused to address my issues (Long term side effects) such as poor gait, balance, coordination, astigmatism, erectile dysfunction etc.
At first (1979) he had me believing that this (Dilantin) was a miracle drug b/c it was controlling my seizures with very little side effects, I found out recently that it should only be used for short term use.
He recently retired, so I was forced to find a new Neurologist.
WOW, What a breath of fresh air.
He showed concern with my long term side effects and immediately started me on Lamotigine (Lamictol) and slowly reduced my Dilantin level gradually.
Most of my previous side effects are less evasive but my cerebellum of my brain has shrunk as a result of long term use of Dilantin. (this is the part of the brain that controls your motor skills as per my recent MRI).
Now I feel that my seizures are almost totally under control, and I feel so much better.