Does this seem odd?

I had surgery in 1997 to remove a large benign meningioma from the frontal part of my brain.  Since then, my doctor has prescribed me to take 400mg of Dilantin a day as a precaution for siezures due to the trauma on my brain from the surgery.

I have NEVER had a seizure, not before the surgery, and not since.  I have asked my doctor if I should have an EEG (I think that's what it's called) to see if I need the Dilantin.  He said he knows it will be abnormal.  He's seen a lot of brain scans (MRI), and he feels I need to stay on the Dilantin from the looks of it.  His rationale is I am leading a normal life (which I am) so why change anything?

Since the surgery, I do feel a little different. I sometimes feel very brief "things" happen in my head, almost like a jolt of electricity. Does this sound like a symptom of seizure activity?  There's really nothing other than that very noticeable.  I guess the other thing is I can day dream fairly easily, or just space out I guess.

While I am not currently suffering any major side effects (thankfully), I am worried about the symptoms described above and any effect on my liver down the line from the Dilantin.

Does it seem strange that my doctor has kept me on Dilantin for almost 10 years and I have never had a seizure?  Should I push harder to get off the medicine?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

Tim

Tim

Probably the reason that you're not having any seizures is because the dilantin is controlling them.

It's like an insurance policy. Chances are if you weren't on dilantin, you would have a full out gran mal seizure ~ possibly while driving and lose your drivers lisence.

It's definately a trade off, either suffer the inconvenience and side effects of the dilantin but be seizure free or take the risk of not taking your medication and possibly have a seizure and risk your safety or that of others.

IMO ~ If you can tolerate the dilantin, why take the risk. (if it's not broke, don't fix it)

Like Jenn said, if you do decide to go off the dilantin, please consult your Doctor.

Re: liver damage from long term use ~ I speak from 27 yrs. of dilantin use and have my blood and liver enzymes checked and have had no probs.

Randy