25yo Epileptic Male After Phenytoin... Posted: 05-16-06 14:24pm
Hey there forum, had a quick question: did
anyone's grand mal seizures ever disappear
and turn into petit mal seizures,
triggered by driving or caffeine?
My grand mal seizures started when I was
age 9-12, in the twilight stage of falling
to sleep or waking up. I was placed on
tegretol for some years, but when I tried
weaning myself off that medication, they
returned at age 18 on two to three
seperate occaisions. I noticed I had
dislocated my right shoulder one morning,
only remembering the seizure and not how I
injured myself. After that incident,
my spilepsy disappeared for many years.
My neurologist put me on 300mg of
phenytoin. After hearing about the
damaging liver effects of the medication,
however, I weaned myself off of it over
the course of a year and stopped entirely
8 months ago. I did not notice any
symptoms until a couple months ago,
experienced only when i'm
driving...Nevertheless while I am awake
now. My symptoms are rapid heart beat,
tingling in my hands and feet, a head
rush. I have counted 4 times now that
I had to pull off the road and exit my
vehicle, get some fresh air, cuz I thought
I was going to have a heart attack.
So I guess that leads into my second
question==could I be experiencing a panic
attack instead of petit mal seizures
(foreign to me)? I have been doing a
lot of moving around the country and have
been stressed lately after college.
Any reactions/advice/experience(s) are
appreciated :ugh:
|
shelbe
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 22 Jul 2005 Posts: 39 Location: UK
Thanks: 1
Thanked:0
Hey Posted: 06-06-06 17:00pm
My condition is a bit different to
yours.I'v had epilepsy now for neally 7
years.I'v been on phenytoin for all that
time.The same as you,300mg which I take at
night.When I first started suffering fits
I was seen by (supposedly)the best
consultant in the uk.He put me on 1600mg
of epillim,200mg of lamictal and 300mg of
phenytoin.Obviously I trusted him and
didn't question his judjement.But after 5
years I was still taking the same
medication and my fits were no better
either.My consultant wasn't interested in
changing my medication so I went private
and found someone else.This doctor was
disgusted at how much medication I was on
and said he wanted to change it asap,but
most of all he wants me off the
phenytoin.I'v came off the epillim and
replaced it with keppra,which my doc is
hoping will also replace my phenytoin.I
tried to reduce my phenytoin about 6
months ago,taking off 100mg.It was
horrible.I was scared all the
time,depressed,i was suffering 2 fits a
night,for a week,untill I decided to start
taking mt phenytoin again.My doc thinks
that taking off 100mg straight away was to
much for my body to handle.Apparantly this
is also one of the reasons they don't like
to pescribe it now.I'm about to try again
soon,reducing my phenytoin by 50mg at a
time.Hopefully this will make a
difference.
It won't alter the fact though,that since
trying to reduce my tablets by 100mg,i
have suffered panic attacks.I can't go any
further than the local shop or taking my
kids to school.If I go anywhere else,i
have to have someone with me.I can't go in
a lift anymore,i can't be in a space
surrounded by strangers.It really has
affected me,but im feeling better lately
since learning what to do,deep
breathing..Etc..!
Sorry i'v gone on,when talking about my
epilepsy I do tend to go on forever.Lol.
I hope you feel well soon.In the mean
time,be carefull when your on the road.And
always carry a brown paper bag.Sounds daft
I know but it does actually work when you
start to panic. :wink:
stay safe,shell xx
