When I was first diagnosed as a teen, no one knew what to do with me.
My parents refused to use the “E” word. People treated me like I was some kind of pariah. (Which didn’t make me feel warm and fuzzy either).
Guys never called back for a second date.
The Dilantin made me feel like a zombie…I even went into a coma once…
They’re necessary, but not necessarily nice. And every med has its own side-effects. Just as different people experience different difficulties.
Here‘s the low-down on the possible side-effects of your drugs and the secrets they may hold.
Some might sound painfully familiar…
Posted in
Epilepsy,
Medication Issues,
ResearchTags:
anti-epilepsy drug side-effects,
Ativan,
Banzel,
Briviact,
Carbatrol,
Depakote and Depakene,
Diamox,
Diastat Acudial,
Dilantin,
Felbatol,
Gabitril,
Hp Acthar Gel,
Kepppra,
Klonopin,
Lamictal,
Lyrica,
Mysoline,
Neurontin,
Onfi,
Peganone,
Perampanel,
Phenobarbital,
Phenytek,
Portiga,
Rufinamide,
Sabril,
Tegretol,
Topamax,
Tranxene,
Trileptal,
Viibryd,
Vimpat,
XCOPRI,
Zarontin,
Zonegran
A research team consisting of epilepsy specialists and epidemiologists (persons who study the causes and control of diseases) reports on a study that answered an important but simple question:
Do anti-seizure drugs cause reductions in bone density?
Why ask this question?
Posted in
Epilepsy,
Medication IssuesTags:
Actonel,
AEDS,
Boniva,
Calcium,
Carbatrol,
Dilantin,
FDA,
Fosamax,
Mysoline,
Osteomalacia,
Osteopenia,
Osteoporosis,
Phenobarbital,
Tegretol,
Vitamin D
This article is not for those with a weak stomach. Because Stevens-Johnson Syndrome is an ugly and sometimes deadly disease.
But if you are on Dilantin or Lamictal, I urge you to read this information.
Posted in
Epilepsy,
Medication Issues,
ResearchTags:
dangerous,
Dilantin,
Epilepsy,
Lamictal,
rare,
Research,
skin shedding,
sometimes deadly,
Stevens-Johnson Syndrome
After talking to a famous epileptologist, I learned that calcium is really a two-edged sword. Which surprised (and scared) me.
I’ve always read that calcium was imperative if you were taking anti-epilepsy drugs — especially Dilantin. Even if your doc “forgot” to tell you!
Posted in
Epilepsy,
Medication Issues,
ResearchTags:
benefits,
bone mineral density,
Calcium,
calcium rich foods,
controversy,
DEXA scans,
Dilantin,
Epilepsy,
heart disease,
Mysoline,
Osteopenia,
Osteoporosis,
Phenobital,
risks,
supplements,
Tegretol,
Valproate,
Vitamin D
They’re necessary, but not necessarily nice.
And every med has its own side-effects.
Just as different people experience different difficulties.
But here‘s the low-down on some possible side-effects.
I hope you don’t have to suffer any of them. (Or as few as possible.)
Posted in
Epilepsy,
Medication IssuesTags:
antiepilepsy drug side effects,
Ativan,
Banzel,
Carbatrol,
depakote,
Diamox,
Diastat Acudial,
Dilantin,
Felbatol,
Frisium,
Gabitril,
Hp Acthar Gel,
Keppra,
Klonopin,
Lamictal,
Lyrica,
Mysoline,
Neurontin,
Ocopri,
Onfi,
Peganone,
Perampanel,
Phenobarbital,
Phenytek,
Rufinamide,
Sabril,
Tegretol,
Topamax,
Tranxene,
Trileptal,
Viibryd,
Vimpat,
Zarontin,
Zonegran
When I was first diagnosed with epilepsy back in 1969, the availability of AEDs was limited.
Phenobarbital or Dilantin.
Pick your poison.
I chose Dilantin. It was not a pretty picture.
I was a walking zombie, constantly keeling over, and the final insult was when I went into a coma because of toxic blood levels. (No brain, no pain?)
But many have their own serious tales to tell. Here are some of their experiences. And some advice…
Posted in
Epilepsy,
Medication IssuesTags:
bone density,
compromises,
dangers,
Dilantin,
Epilepsy,
health issues,
Parke-Davis,
Short-term use,
side-effects,
Stevens-Johnson Syndrome
Since it first came out, Dilantin has always had its fans and its detractors.
Who can forget Jack Nicholson’s out-of-control behavior as the “crazy” in Ken Kesey’s “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest”!
Posted in
EpilepsyTags:
Birth Defects,
bone weakening,
Brain Atrophy,
dangers,
Dilantin,
FDA,
Gingivitis,
Neuropathy,
Purple Glove Syndrome,
risks,
seizures,
side effects,
Stevens-Johnson Syndrome
When I was first diagnosed as a teen, no one knew what to do with me.
My parents refused to use the “E” word. People treated me like I was some kind of pariah. (Which didn’t make me feel warm and fuzzy either).
Touch your neck, right above your collarbone, and you’ll find a little gland called your thyroid.
It only weighs an ounce, yet this thyroid’s hormones control your metabolism.
When those hormones are balanced, everything is fine.
But if your thyroid makes just a little less or more than you need…it could cause havoc, both with how you function and the effectiveness of your AEDs.
Posted in
Epilepsy,
Medication Issues,
ResearchTags:
AED effectiveness,
depakote,
Dilantin,
full thyroid panel,
hyperthyroidism – an overactive thyroid,
hypothyroidism – an underactive thyroid,
metabolism,
selenium,
Tegretol
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