Zonisamide & Vimpat -- For Grand-Mal?

Hi, I had a question for everyone here about these two drugs. My last neurologist took me off of Dilatin and Phenobarbital because he said they were old fashioned. I was hesitate in being taken off these two because I had been seizure free for about four years. So my neurologist weaned me off of those two and put me only on Zonisamide 300mg to 400mg. They never did any blood work on me or anything just based everything off of my reaction. I eventually got up to 600mg but  it was too much for me to handle because I was having orbs. So they lowered me down to 500mg and that is where I stayed.  Well about a months after being put on this I medication, I was out for a run and had my first seziure. I was able to walk home which was unheard of for my type of seizure. After I told them about that incident, they pu me on Vimpat (200mg). This medication was way to expensive for me which is what I told them I didn't want to use. But they pushed, and I got on an assistant program which helps pay for it. About another 4 months after the first seizure, I had another one, this one was because I had drank alcohol (which I could do before on my other two medications D&P). I suffered another strong seizure. I told my doctor, he scheduled an appointment and I went to see him. He did nothing for me, no blood work, no EEG, nothing except tell me not to drink alcohol. 4 months after that I had another seizure. This one was uncalled for, I was excercising (might have overdone it just a bit), I was eating healthy, had quit smoking, was excercising everyday. I was pedaling on their excerise bike and had one. 4 months after that I suffered another seizure due to food poisioning and spent two nights in the hospital. 4 months after that I suffered another seizure that happened for no reason yet again after going out with my wife (she was driving). Every time I told my doctors, he would simply tell me to come see him and do nothing to change what was going on.
That is when I decided to switch doctors and found my new neurologist now. Who went over in very extensive details of my past history of medications, what worked, what I liked best. He talked about what he thought was best and gave me several options (other doctor did not). I was then put on Dilantin and Vimpat. After being put on this drug I started to do some research after my doctor told me that normally he gives Zonisamide to people with headaches. I also found out that Zonisamide is to treat partial complex seizures. I suffer from Tonic Clonic Grand-Mal seizures. My doctor was very aware of what type of seizures that I suffered from. Also the side effects were so bad for me, I was having memory loss and trouble focusing. Things I felt uncomfortable talking with my old doctor about because he was in and out with no personal care.

Now here it is 4 months later, I am getting taken off of Dilatin because it's not strong enough for me. Though I have not had anything more than a mini-seizure which I was fully awake for, for the first time in over a year. I did not convulse. I have had auras which is why my doctor has decided to put me on Keppra and Vimpat. From what I have heard from a friend of mine who is also suffering with seizures, he has liked Keppra very much. It gives him energy and he feels less depressed. He is more focused which is something that I miss. I just wish I had known sooner instead of putting my trust in my old neurologist about my care, because I am several thousand dollars in debt, have PTSD and I will eventually have to have surgery again on both of my shoulders because I dislocate them every time I have a seizure.

I was just wondering if anyone has an opinion on this situation? What they think of these drugs? Have you ever been put on these medications to treat Grand Mal? Any information or insight would be extremely helpful.