My new neuro wants to take me off Dilantin and switch me to Lamictal.
I've been fine on the Dilantin, and I'm uncomfortable with the switch, especially as a new semester of grad school has started and I'm not anxious to experiment on my brain with the homework pouring in.
I tried that switch and didn't tolerate Lamictal very well. It managed my seizures, but left me feeling really foggy.
We all react differently to different meds, but the fact of the matter is that they all have side effects. Many neurologists take the stance that the older meds have more side effects or cause damage to the body when used long-term. The way I see it is that we just aren't aware of what the long-term effects of the new meds are yet.
If the Dilantin isn't causing you any current problems maybe you could put off the switch until you are finished with graduate school. There is no way you can predict what your reaction to the drug will be and it isn't worth putting your education on the line unless you have no other choice.
Dilantin was my favorite AED..if there is such a thing. I had to come off of it because it was causing my liver enzymes to elevate. Since then I have been on Topamax, Lamictal and am now on Keppra XR. I have experienced more side effects with the newer meds than I did Dilantin.
Why does your doctor want you to switch? If it aint broke, don't fix it, right? You have the final say. If you don't want to switch now, you can decline to.
I had Lamictal added to my cocktail of meds, and it's working great for me. The only side effect that seems to be lingering is acne. :o( But it works wonders on squashing my seizures.
But everyone's different.
be careful if you do switch. I was started on Lamictal, and I ended up in a bad way. My feet broke out in horrible rashes and blisters. I read someone else's experience and they came down with something similar to mine, a different disease, that could have killed them.
If you can avoid the switch, do so.
(I was in Rome, at the beginning of a trip around Italy when I started Lamictal, and it nearly ruined the trip. I quit taking it right away.)
My neuro also suggested a switch about a year ago. Wasn't having any issues at all. I respectfully declined and remain on Dilantin. I'm of the "better the devil you know than the one you don't" school.
My new neuro wants to take me off Dilantin and switch me to Lamictal.
I've been fine on the Dilantin, and I'm uncomfortable with the switch, especially as a new semester of grad school has started and I'm not anxious to experiment on my brain with the homework pouring in.
Any thoughts? Has anybody made the switch?
Yes, I am very happy switching off dilantin. You may be use to the side effects that come from dilantin or dont have any at all. What about Lyrica as am medication? Ask questions from your doctor. go for switch..........
If you are comfortable with Dilantin, I would stay on it. I have been on it for over 60 years! Have had a dr. toy with my medications and lost three years of my life. So, I say, don't mess with success. You call the shots; not your doctor.
My new neuro wants to take me off Dilantin and switch me to Lamictal.
I've been fine on the Dilantin, and I'm uncomfortable with the switch, especially as a new semester of grad school has started and I'm not anxious to experiment on my brain with the homework pouring in.
Any thoughts? Has anybody made the switch?
Yep, I had long term side effects from the Dilantin.
30 years. It put me in the hospital and the docs thought that there was something wrong with my heart.
LOL I told them it was the Dialntin but no one really wantede to listen. So I went to a new Neuro & she started me on Lamictal XR. I felt great for about a month & on 200 mg.'s while weaning of the Dilantin.
Assoon as it was increased to 300 rapid heaertbeat started and lost my sense of taste. Now being weaned of the Lamictal XR & taking Trileptal. Still working on titration dosing right now.
Don't feel too uneasy about switching from the Dialantin,
because long term it will do some damage to you.
It will not only wear your liver out somewhat, but also cause osteoperosis. change bone structure particularly in the jaw area. So many things including Irritable bowel! Joint pain!
It's crazy the list of things that stopped since I got off of the Dilantin.
