Taurine (Natural Alternative) - Epilepsy Message Board

lawrence4040 · 09-10-2005, 02:34 PM

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.

blueowl · 09-10-2005, 05:22 PM

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

lawrence4040 · 09-25-2005, 11:08 AM

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.

thebluedog · 09-26-2005, 08:25 PM

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

lawrence4040 · 09-26-2005, 11:26 PM

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.