rheumatoid arthritis anyone?

[logger]

greetings everyone,

well here is an off the wall question. i suddenly started having knee joint pains and swelling in my knees and hand starting 30+ days ago and have been told it may be an rheumatoid arthritis condition. i have a specialist appointment soon and was just wondering if anyone else has experienced body joint problems and if an anticonvulsant med could be the cause or epilepsy itself. i currently take dilantin, depakote, and keppra.

thanks in advance!

logger

[IMNRVUS]

Within months of starting Phenytoin (generic dilantin) I started aching in most joints and muscles. I started OTC meds which helped a little. Within another year or so, most aches went away. The only aches left are on the bottom of my feet... toes to arch only, on both feet. Another is painful rotator cuffs injured during a seizure almost 2 years ago. The OTC meds help some of the time, depending on how much I walk and use my arms... but nowhere near healed. I tried naproxen, but the OTC ones worked better and didn't cause stomach upset.

[Beth800]

Dear Logger,

Remember that dilantin is known for causing lupus-like symptoms. In fact it can actually cause a false-positive lupus test result. The neurologists don't broadcast this like they should. You should also be careful because if the dilantin is causing the lupus-like reactions, then it may also cause a false-positive syphilus test. If this happens, the county gets involved and the only way you can prove you don't have syphilus is by going off the dilantin for a few months and having the test redone. It can be a real mess! Also, get your liver enzymes checked! It might be time for you and your neurologist to try another anti-convulsants. I'm trying to get off the dilantin. My renal functions are starting to look bad. I went on keppra, but it was aweful. Now I'm hoping this lamictal will work. I'm going to start neurofeedback with an MD in august. Take care of yourself