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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.
Comments
Re: Dilantin Withdrawal & Depression?
Submitted by teri smith on Tue, 2009-02-03 - 10:17
Re: Dilantin Withdrawal & Depression?
Submitted by apmast on Tue, 2009-02-03 - 10:33
Wow Terry, what a situation you're in. There are so many medications out there for seizures and it seems (based on what I read in the forums) that everybody seems to do better with one over another. I have only had dilantin (for 10 years) and now Lamictal (5 months). Dilantin was very good to me but after 10 years the theraputic level began to fall and the doctor switched me to Lamictal. Lamictal messed with my spelling (typing) for a while but I'm good to go now. I actually felt a good boost in mood after a few months. Now, the generic is $10 at walmart, which is saving me a lot of money.
I wish you the best. When I tapered off of Dilantin, my doctor had me take 400MG for a month, then the next month 300MG, then the next month 200MG, then the next month 100MG and finally no more. It took me 4 months to taper off. I hope you taper slowly as fast withdrawal may lead to status elipticus (Status epilepticus (SE) refers to a life-threatening condition in which the brain is in a state of persistent seizure.)
Perhaps with the new Obama Administration healthcare for individuals will be more readily available!
Cheers, Andrew
Wow Terry, what a situation you're in. There are so many medications out there for seizures and it seems (based on what I read in the forums) that everybody seems to do better with one over another. I have only had dilantin (for 10 years) and now Lamictal (5 months). Dilantin was very good to me but after 10 years the theraputic level began to fall and the doctor switched me to Lamictal. Lamictal messed with my spelling (typing) for a while but I'm good to go now. I actually felt a good boost in mood after a few months. Now, the generic is $10 at walmart, which is saving me a lot of money.
I wish you the best. When I tapered off of Dilantin, my doctor had me take 400MG for a month, then the next month 300MG, then the next month 200MG, then the next month 100MG and finally no more. It took me 4 months to taper off. I hope you taper slowly as fast withdrawal may lead to status elipticus (Status epilepticus (SE) refers to a life-threatening condition in which the brain is in a state of persistent seizure.)
Perhaps with the new Obama Administration healthcare for individuals will be more readily available!
Cheers, Andrew
Re: Dilantin Withdrawal & Depression?
Submitted by teri smith on Tue, 2009-02-03 - 10:28
DEAR THINNLING, You just described exactly how I feel!Many days I dont want to go on living like this! Plus it's not even controlling my seizures, and @ the hospital it barely shows up in my system(dilantin).I just dont know what to do or how to cope anymore. my phone # is 850-522-5868.call me if youd like. Good Luck!!!!!!!