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Dilantin Withdrawal & Depression?

Wed, 07/02/2008 - 17:16
Topic: Medication Issues

After 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 cvargas on Tue, 2009-02-03 - 12:42

Hi here      you know it is true Dilantin has alot of side affects but for some it is the one that works the best.  

I had brain surgery four years ago and Dilantin was the "drug" that worked for me then now it is a different story Iwas feeling the deppression the anxiety in a 30 day period I had 22 migraines.  obviously The Dr. trust Dilantin but they also know when to get you off of it

Since '85 ive been epileptic and Ive been on all kinds of meds but there is one thing I do do is I trust my Dr's and most of all I ask all kinds of questions and I dont start new meds untill I read up on them

think of it you may be able to get off of other meds that dont affect epilepsy and thats wonderful!

 

God bless you and I hope everything goes well

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hi here      you know it is true Dilantin has alot of side affects but for some it is the one that works the best.  

I had brain surgery four years ago and Dilantin was the "drug" that worked for me then now it is a different story Iwas feeling the deppression the anxiety in a 30 day period I had 22 migraines.  obviously The Dr. trust Dilantin but they also know when to get you off of it

Since '85 ive been epileptic and Ive been on all kinds of meds but there is one thing I do do is I trust my Dr's and most of all I ask all kinds of questions and I dont start new meds untill I read up on them

think of it you may be able to get off of other meds that dont affect epilepsy and thats wonderful!

 

God bless you and I hope everything goes well

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Re: Dilantin Withdrawal & Depression?

Submitted by prettyleopard on Mon, 2010-05-24 - 17:15
I believe Dilantin is not a good effect because since Its the same pill I took for 6 years it is dilantin its really dangerous its toxic. I find it believe that dilantin is bad for me because I feel worse while I get light head, dizzy,tired , headaches, blurry vision , pain muscle , sometime pain chest, sometime head shake and leg shake from seizure, memory problem, Cant remember at all, start forget what words to say, , hard breath, itching, short breath. Aso I got easy depression. It didnt go really well this time.

Re: Dilantin Withdrawal & Depression?

Submitted by apmast on Tue, 2009-02-03 - 13:41

 

Hi avalon1,
 
I have been off from Dilantin twice... The first time was my effort to stop taking it because I had had several EEGs with no sign of epilepsy.  A year later I had a small tonic clonic shortly after I fell asleep.  So, since 2003 I was back on Dilantin... last year I got off and switched to Lamictal.  
 
I can't say that I had depression, but I did have occassional moments where I felt disoriented and that led to anxiety and worry that I was having a seizure.  A few moments really jogged me and I would just breath and take it moment by moment.  
 
If you coming off Dilantin I would expect that it will take several months before you'll feel 100% yourself.  If you have a recurring seizure any time in the future don't be discouraged.  I wish you the best!

Cheers, Andrew

 

Hi avalon1,
 
I have been off from Dilantin twice... The first time was my effort to stop taking it because I had had several EEGs with no sign of epilepsy.  A year later I had a small tonic clonic shortly after I fell asleep.  So, since 2003 I was back on Dilantin... last year I got off and switched to Lamictal.  
 
I can't say that I had depression, but I did have occassional moments where I felt disoriented and that led to anxiety and worry that I was having a seizure.  A few moments really jogged me and I would just breath and take it moment by moment.  
 
If you coming off Dilantin I would expect that it will take several months before you'll feel 100% yourself.  If you have a recurring seizure any time in the future don't be discouraged.  I wish you the best!

Cheers, Andrew

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