I have been taking dilantin for 36 years. Dilantin has all types of side effects with tinnitus being the worst for the past 10 years. I have tried to switch dilantin to other epileptic medications with no success. The alternate prescriptions having more side effects than dilantin. Recently I read about the amino acid Taurine. It moderates potassium, sodium, calcium, magnesium, etc keeping the seizure thresh hold high. I have reduced from 3.5 pills a day of dilantin to 2 pills a day. I am taking 3 1000mg taurine pills a day. No seizures yet, my nervous system is more a wake, and tinnitus is reducing. I feel more confident about my gums clearing up. If all goes well, I should be dilantin free by December 2005.

Anyone had or heard of anyone with experience with taurine? I definitely think doctors should rule out natural alternatives like taurine first before writing the patient all these prescriptions. Problem with prescriptions , the longer you take them, the greater the risk of side effects. Thanks. :cool:

Sadly, you will never hear the doctors talk of the natural "stuff". In the last four months I have had 3 siezures. It had been 7 years prior to that. After this last one I have been experiencing severe depression, at least I think it is severe. In talking to my doc about this last one and what have triggered it he brought up the depression and how to treat it. He was speaking of therapy and drugs while my heart was speaking exercise, diet and healing for me. My spirit was just told me you know what you need and it is not more pills. I continue my depakote, raising my dosage because it was extremely low but I refuse more pills, at least till I try the other road. As one doc did say to me "Well, you know your body better then I do" so I listen to it first. Blessings

I started 1.5 dilantin yesterday with 3 1000mg taurine per day, I feel better then I have since I was 16 before I started taking dilantin. Tinnitus completely clear today, able to hear the world again. By December, I should be on zero dilantin. :)

Lawrence,

My mother has very bad tinnitus. Do you think that by taking 3 1000mg of taurine per day would help?

I'm so glad to hear about your success. That's awesome!

Thanks

Bluedog,

Unless your mother is replacing her dilantin with taurine, I doubt if taurine would help her tinnitus. In my case, tinnitus was side effect of dilantin. Tinnitus may be caused by other medications, viral infections, impacted ear wax, etc. Your mother needs to see her doctor to rule out possible causes of her tinnitus. Good luck to you and your mother.

Adjusted my taurine to 7gms a day. Down to 1 dilantin a day. I think I will be off the dilantin soon. For me, 2gms taurine equals 100mg dilantin. Naturally no side effects with taurine.

Today is day 2 of being off dilantin totally. I think 7gms of taurine per day is enough for me. First time I have been prescription free in 36 years. Can't wait to see what my gums look like in 6 months. I haven't noticed any side effects with taurine and only positive benefits such as constipation clearing up. I am nutrient deficient and not prescription deficient.

Lawrence,

Congratulations on your success! And totally rx free...awesome!

Hi Lawrence4040,

Congrats on the Taurine working for you!

I have done some research over the last couple of years and have a book on
natural alternatives for E. Our daughter had a left temporal lobectomy in June 2004 and has been seizure free since, but is still on Lamictal twice/day.
She will be on meds until June 2006, at which time we will try to have her come off. I have still considered the Taurine as a back up plan or just to add.

She also takes Phosphytidal Serine (sp) for mental sharpness, folic acid, CO Q10, and a multi.

Good luck and keep us posted!

Vicki

Lawrenece, I’m glad you’ve found a natural alternative. I’m not sure if you’ve already posted this or not but how do you feel, do you feel any side affects at all? Keep us posted with your progress.

I am now on zero dilantin and 7 taurine 1gm pills per day. My nervous system doesn't feel suppressed, my red blood cells shouldn't be enlarged anymore and my gums should start looking better soon. In my case it took 3.5 dilantin/day or 7 taurine/day. 2 taurine for each 1 dilantin. Seizures may be very complicated and vary per patient.

Lawrence:

Please keep posting your progress. This is so interesting. Congratulations on getting off the dilantin.

Hi,

I've been taking a combination of Taurine, DMG, and B-Complex for a couple of months now. I have complex partial seizures that are very hard to control and,in the past, I've often switched between one medicine to the other every other month. So, when I gained a ridiculous amount of weight from Depakote and lost a considerable amount of weight from Zonegran, I decided enough was enough.

My seizures reduced dramatically and I'd almost forgotten I had them. But I got a cold and bought some Halls (Cherry flavor). Not sure if there is some kind of dye used in them that made me sick or not. But it made me sick enough for me to wake up in a puddle of blood the next day and a deep cut in my forhead, nose and lips.

I'm all for Taurine, DMG(Di-methyl-glycine) and all the other natural meds, but I'm going to start paying more attention to what I put in my body. 100% fruit juice, no artificial coloring (if I can help it) and an all over change in my diet.

Hello! I've been following your natural treatment with great interest because of my son's seizures. Please post and let us know how it's been going for you since you started the Taurine. I so hope that it's working for you as well now as when you first began! I've been giving my son half a tablet once a day along with his Lamictal with some success and would love to hear about your results!

Take Care,
Brent's Mom