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New here

Mon, 04/30/2007 - 09:45
I'm new here, but i've been suffering from epilepsy for over 30 years. My fits started after I had brain surgery at the age of 11 to remove a cerebral abcess. the surgeons were able to remove it all, but the subsequent scar tissue got infected, and fits of various types followed. This infection has spread from one side of the brain to the other, and the fits have naturally been worsening. 18 months ago I had a VNS implanted, as the doctors had run out of drug options, and with the infection so widepread, direct surgery to remove any infected tissue was out of the question. I have tried almost every possible setting on the VNS, which currently comes on for 21 seconds and off for 1.1 minutes, repeated all through the day and night. this has had no imapct on my epilepsy whatsoever, but I was warned in advance not everyone experiences a reduction in the number of fits. Doctors are now trying to make further adjustments with my medication, with the hope that with the VNS and drug regime combined, some improvement might be achieved. Anyhow, what I really wanted to find out, was whether onyone else out there in the world, who takes Phenytoin (and has been taking it for many years) suffer significant problems with their teeth? Any feedback would be appreciated. Thanks Andrew

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