dilantin vs. phenytoin

[Travis from MN]

One of the most noticable effects of the generic I was on (solid pill in the cap) was stomach irritation. That is in addition to the problem of not maintaining stable levels and causing a few visits to the ER.

In the US there is a +/- tollerance for generics. It could have been the buffers or binding agents that caused problems, I don't know.

You are around the dose I was at. 100 Am 200 PM (they added a 50mg later briefly). If the levels for you are "normal" between 10 and 20 thats the range they look for acceptance. Above 20 it may cause toxicity. Below 10 more seizures can be expected IN GENERAL... however thats a textbook range. Some people need to be above 20 to control seizures and are fine with it.

[IMNRVUS]

Thanks Travis from MN...
My side effects could be from phenytoin or diovan (BP med.).
I've gained at least 30+ pounds since 2001. I do blame some of it on lack of exercise. Occasional nite indigestion.
The bottom of my feet hurt, toes to arch... not including either.
My legs knee down to the tops of my feet and ankles are sensitive at times, numb at others.
The big ones I don't like are panic attacks, anxiety, confusion, recent memory loss, and mild dizzyness at times. Sometimes I can't tell the difference between a panic attack and auras, which I still get. These get pretty upsetting at times. That's why I still take 1/2mg ativan as needed. I try never to take more than 1mg/day, and most of the time it works. Then there are the days I think it makes things worse. Does any of this sound right to you?
I was going to start valium instead of the ativan... but I read in a PDR that valium can increase grand mal seizure frequency.

My blood levels have hovered around 4.8 on a 10-20 scale for years.

The only time I had trouble was when I was weaning off of Phenytoin in fall of '05, reducing by 100mg/month. After reaching 100mg/day at night, I had one seizure every 45 days or so while still taking 100mg. After the third GM, I started on 300mg the way I used to (and still do), the only GM's after those happened when my sleep apnea/sinus problems caused them in November '06. Nothing since.

[simple83]

IMNRVUS
As far as side effects, other than dizziness and nausea when I first started taking dilantin, I haven't really had any that I know could be caused by the meds.

My right foot gets numb, or sensations (best word I can think of, not sure how to describe it) something like pin pricks(not the same as if it falls asleep), pulsing or tingling. It's extremely sensitive. I don't know what it's caused by, or if it's related to the seizures. This happens throughout the day, not every day. It's not the same as the partials I have at night, but scares me almost as much.

[IMNRVUS]

I heard long ago that dilantin/phenytoin can cause PAD... peripheral artery disease. I have a lot of those symptoms. My right leg is extremely sensitive below the knee. I notice it when I shower and at night. It's not that feeling like I have to move my legs all of the time like that commercial on tv.

[Travis from MN]

When I was removed from Dilantin, My doc wanted me to use the 50's (I hated the powdery residue and fruit taste); I asked if I could use the 30mg cap. Slower reduction to not shock the body, while introducing a new med (cross drop/introduction). Worked very well. I was leary of dropping it using 50 or 100mg's for reactions (too fast I was thinking).

4.8 is shockingly low at a glance. In theory it should be atleast double that; but I'm only a patient and I can only say what the books have in them.

The patient is often their best advocate. They know their bodies, how they react to medications, what the higher levels "feel" like and so forth. Most of this the trained experts can only read or hear about from patients. Usually higher range (or too high of) levels are easier to detect. Lower levels are not "felt" as much, however they can cause "lack of symptoms" or an increase in seizures.