Hi,
I have been on dilantin for 30 years and my neurologist wants me to switch to another medication due to long term side effects (numbness, joint inflammation, etc). I am now taking 200mg of carbatrol (slow release). I've been taking full dosage of dilantin 300mg and the 200 mg of carbatrol for 2 1/2 weeks. I was tired the first week and that is now better, but now I feel depressed. I am supposed to add another 200mg before titrating down the dilanting!!!! Has anyone switched medications? Was it difficult to function with the two medications. I am concerned about functioning at work once I increase the new medication. Any information would be so helpful. Thank you for your feedback. Emma O:

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Hi everyone. Well my husband has been switched from meds to meds since the age of 6. He is now 24. He has had problems switching over for a couple of weeks. It is just his body accepting the change. Like you said, he does feel tired for awhile but it usually goes away. He is also on Carbatrol - extended release capsules. It has worked very well for him. Then again, he is also on Zonegran and Lamictal. Just give it a try and if the side affects get to bad and you can concentrate at work let your neurologist know. He may prescribe something else.

Annette

Am currently on Keppra (newest, and still gradually adding since I react weird to things), Neurontin, Tegretol, and Klonopin, along with Ativan for onset of auras, Inderal (different disorder), and some others- 11 total.

I've been on Depakote, Lyrica, Dilantin, Carbatrol (no problems, just no med coverage on disability so had to switch to generics of everything listed above, and find sources that carried them- US or otherwise), and seems I'm forgetting something.

I don't do well on meds, so hate adding or switching things, but have found that the current pile of pills I'm on has worked as well as anything, and keeps costs controlled as best as I can.

Thank you for your feedback on switching medications. I have done well on 300 mg of dilantin for 30 years. I did have breakthrough seizures, usually one a year (sometimes seizure free for 5 year period). The last few years, I have experienced fatigue, joint inflammation and pain, numbness on the bottom of my feet and sometimes tingling in limbs. I recently went to a different neurologist and she wanted me to change to carbatrol time release. She is the first doctor to confirm what I had suspected for a long time...I have partial seizures as well. She felt the carbatrol would stop partial and gran mal.
I have not had any partial seizures since I started the carbatrol, but I am having hard time with both medications. I'm impatient and want to get off the dilantin quickly!!!
I am so sorry that many of you take mutiple meds. The side effects and interactions must be difficult to handle. Do they decrease over time? I'm praying when I increase the carbatrol to 400mg (and still taking dilantin) I can drive and work (I'm a therapist and don't want to fall asleep while talking with my clients!).
I appreciate your support. Thank you

When I dropped off Dilantin I used 30's; I was on Teg and Keppra at the same time, so it wasn't my main drug.

changing over to the 30's (so I lowered my 100AM to 60 for the first drop) and dropped PM to 160 the second week.

Dropping one end by 30 every week was a slow but safer method, and didn't taste bad like using the 50's or splitting the 50's.

Those are your two options for getting off Dilantin. The 30's may take a little longer, but you don't have the bananna powder taste to deal with like you would on the 50mg tabs.

For the record my Dr wanted to drop it using the 50mg tabs.

--Travis

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Justwannono and Travis

Thanks for the information, I really appreciate it. About arthritis...I have osteoarthritis in both jaw joints and the doctors believe it is due to the falls I have had during grand mal seizures. Many times I fell face first and hit the floor...black eyes and all!!!!

Lots of secondary health problems occur because of the seizures and medications...most people don't realize what it is like to live with a seizure disorder. You all are perserverers!!!! Thanks again.

P.S. Tomorrow I increase the carbatro.