First of all, I've been on Dilantin for 36 years.
*** This is just my opinion,you may be different.***
My balance has been effected severely by this drug as well as my gait, short term memory and mood swings.
I started to notice some changes about
15 years ago. They got worse every year after.
I'm constantly tripping and/or losing by balance, lost my drivers license about
10 yrs ago due to my poor judgement and jerky movements on the brake or eccellerator.
Constantly getting dizzy, can't look upward or to the sides without holding on to something.
Other than that, my life has been normal.
Apathy was definitely happening and led to carpel tunnel surgery in both wrists about
10 yrs ago (my Neurologist says it's from long term use of Dilantin) and now I'm scheduled to have carpel tunnel surgery again, this time in both elbows.(I have numbness in both hands and arms now)
It's so bad that it wakes me up every morn. (my Neurologistays it's a side effect of long term use of Dilantin) So it has definatly shrunk my cerebellum, however, on the other side of that, it is 95% controlling my seizures and if I were to change MEDS, my seizures could come back, possibily more frequently and more severe.
Most of the new anti-epileptic drugs have not been out long enough to be tested for long term effects, it could be worse, that's the payoff and a chance I'm not willing to take.
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Diagnosed with epilepsy and ulcerative colitis in 1979,
Been on meds ever since.
