Side effects of Dilantin

My husband is a type 2 diabetic and is 70 years old.  Out of the blue a few months ago he had an episode in the night that I didn't witness but the symptoms were that of a seizure according to the Doctor who saw him in the hospital (he had a fall at the time and had superficial facial wounds)  The doctor put him on dilantin and they did an EEG.  Then he was taken off the dilantin because the EEG didn't show anythin g.  A month later in the night he had two grand mal seizures and at that time a full workup was done at the hospital.  He is now back on dilantin and has been seizure free with the side effects that a lot of people mention (slightly disoriented at times, light headed etc)  However he has had a cough at night since then and it can be quite bad.  He isn't able to get a good nights sleep (nor am I) since then.  His chest Xray was fine.  Has anyone else had a problem with this?

[peggy64]

HI,

I am on Dilantin for about 10 yrs now.  The only side effects I have are a feel somewhat mentally sluggish at times, but this could be because of my hypothyroidism.

I do not have a cough.

So sorry this has happened to your family, but you will make it.

PEggy

[clemaugie]

Thanks for your reply.  There are so many side effects from so many of the drugs that I wondered if the cough could be one of them.  I guess it is just a coincidence.  Have you been seizure free since you are on dilantin?  His seizures were so violent (he broke a bone in his back caused by the seizure) that it really scares me.  He has been fine now but I am the one listening to every noise and not being able to relax.  The neurologist was wonderful and did make me feel he would be OK as there wasn't too much activity in the EEG.  By the way, my daughter was born with a non functioning thyroid and it wasn't picked up right away.  She was in trouble for a few months before they caught it and just in time thank goodness. Although she is constantly monitored and her dose adjusted she has had a few problems along the way.  I also take thyroxin and know what its like when it gets out of whack!!! NOt fun.

Thank you again for your response.  I am keeping my fingers crossed that the dilantin will keep things under control.

[becky808]

I had a seizure 11 years ago where I broke my cheek bone. My EEG results also showed everything was normal. My Dr put me on Dilantin for 3 years. I had very few side effects other than weight loss over time.
I recently had another seizure 2 months ago (this was the first time in 11 years). Thankfully I didn't hurt myself this time, but my new medication (Lamictal) does make my throat hurt. Some seizure medications can cause dry mouth and would probably also dry out his throat. Have you tried a humidifier while he's sleeping? That seems to help me quite a bit. Hopefully your husband's cough and sore throat will ease up soon.

I'm sorry you had to be a witness to such a scary event. My husband tells me it's a horrible thing to watch and he felt so helpless.

With nothing showing on his EEG, it is very likely that he will not have another seizure while medicated.

Take care and good luck.  

[clemaugie]

Thanks becky.  I am hopeful that the medication will keep him seizure free.  What happened when I was with him were two seizures within a couple of hours of one another.  The biggest problem was he was so out of it in between.  He was wandering around and I couldn't handle him.  He kept pushing me away and was looking for the bathroom but he thought the kitchen and other rooms were the bathroom and kept trying to sit down thinking it was the toilet but he wasn't even near a chair.  That went on for over an hour.  When I got him back to bed after him urinating in corners around the house he just lay there with his eyes open staring into space.  Then he had the second seizure which was violent.  He didn't come out of it so I had to call 911.  Apparently due to the violent movement with the seizure he had a compression fracture in a vertabrae.  So, it has been quite a struggle to get him on the mend.  I lie awake at night worrying about every noise he makes.  I know in time I will become more relaxed and hearing from you really helps.  Thank you for your consoling words.

[peggy64]

Man, you 2 have had a rough go of it.  I sure do hate that. I have had more seizures since starting medication. Thank God, I have not been out driving.

I had one this past Saturday morning, but nothing so severe as to break a bone. My son was with me.

It would be good if they could find out what is causing them. I have no seizure activity show up on the EEG either.

From what I had read and experienced, Dilantin has the least side effects, if that is any comfort.