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Dilantin Withdrawal & Depression?
Wed, 07/02/2008 - 17:16After a stressful 2 months on dilantin, my neurologist has decided it is safe to take me off of it (normal eegs and question as to whether or not I actually had a seizure in the first place). I'm slowly weaning off, and am down from 300mg to 200mg for almost a week now, but the last 3 days or so have been feeling depressed. I'm not sure if it's the reduced amount of Dilantin or just the ordeal I've been through or what. I'm presently on an SSRI for depression which has come and gone for years, but until now I've been fine (although I did suffer greatly from anxiety the last 2 months).
I was just wondering if anyone else has experienced depression when coming off of dilantin or knows whether this is a side effect or not.
Re: Dilantin Withdrawal & Depression?
Submitted by Marcia M on Fri, 2008-07-04 - 19:39
I know how you feel, my 12 year old is also on 5+ seizure meds, one of which is Dilantin. I have never seen such terrible side effects... he is dizzy and seems intoxicated all the time. He sleeps until noon everyday... only awake 8 hours a day. They want to wean him off of Dilantin because we can't get the right dosage, it's either too high too low and his doctor says he cannot be on this long term. We are scheduled for the wean on Mon 7/7, he is going to be hospitalized, and I am scared to death. But something needs to be done, he is currently on Keppra, Topamax, Lamictal, Diazepam, Lorazepam, Dilantin, and Phenobarbatol. There is not much else they can try, except start from scratch. Epilepsy sucks!!