I have had 5 seizures (all grand mal) starting when I was 27 years old. They were all from anywhere from 6-10 months apart. I had the first seizure a few days after I quit taking Paxil cold turkey after using it for 4 months after a break-up. I thought the Paxil caused the seizure (and sometimes still do). I refused to take any medication and went 6-7 months before I had another seizure with no meds. After this, I decided not to be stubborn and was put on Dialantin 400mg. I had a third seizure after about 10 months on Dilantin. I was taken off of Dilantin due to raised liver enzymes. I was then put on Depakote 300 mg day and slowly weaned off Dilantin when I had my forth and fifth seizures about 4 months later (two hours apart in my sleep!). I had Phenobarbitol 1gr tablet (x2) added to my meds that I take at night. I am 30 now and have been seizure free for almost 13 months now, ever since the Phenobarbitol was added.

My questions are:

Will I ever be able to get off of the meds? I have gone over a year without any problems. Can the Phenobarbitol be taken alone, without the Depakote?

The reason I ask is because the Depakote seemed the least effective of the meds, yet when I had Pheno added, my problems disappeared. I would like to take the Pheno alone if I could. The less meds I would have to take the better. I hope someday to be med free. Is there even a chance of this happening?

I go see my nuero Friday.

Thanks.

HI, Yes, it is possible to take Pheno alone. It could be that it is the Pheno/depakote combo that is helping you. I have a couple of things for you to look into. WHat does your EEG look like? Does it normalize with medication? Sometimes after 1 -2 years seizure free they will redo an EEG and if it looks normal, they can wean you off. Talk to your neuro and discuss wanting to stay on just the pheno. He may try it. Sometimes people who have success in stopping the seizures can go on less. Other times people can wean and end up having more seizures and trouble regaining control when they do this, so neuros are cautious. Best wishes!!Hope it goes well...