Dilantin lymphadenopathy

    
      Re: Dilantin lymphadenopathy
    


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Posted by ccfNeuro MD on June 12, 1997 at 10:32:21:

In Reply to: Re: Dilantin lymphadenopathy posted by Teri Ruffini on June 09, 1997 at 21:22:17:

: : My sister is 39 y.o. and 3 weeks ago had two grand mal seizures for the first time in her life!  The Docs placed her on Dilantin.  All tests were negative (CT Scans, MRIs, spinal tap, etc.).  Her sodium level was low and she has had recurrent UTIs for about a year.  The diagnosis of "viral encephalopathy" was given because they couldn't find the cause.  She has had about every side effect possible
  : from the Dilantin:  fever 101 F, joint pain, mental confusion, but the one that most concerns me is the swollen lymph nodes in her neck.  The Docs have stopped the Dilantin and just want to "watch" the nodes.  I think they should be more aggressive. (She is also told she is hypothyroid, but is not being treated)
  : Her physicians consist of a Family Practice doctor and a Neurologist.  She asked about seeing an endocrinologist and/or hematologist and the Neuro Doc said he agreed, but "there is so much going on" that he thought it was premature to refer.
  : She is a physical therapy assistant and is unable to return to work, generalized weakness and fatigue are a daily complaint.  I am extremely concerned about the lymphadenopathy; if it is Dilantin induced, can it be fatal?  Couldn't there still be an underlying cause?  Her latest symptom is a body rash.  (She tells me her latest WBC count in still elevated, I don't know the result).  Please help, my sister
  : lives in Buffalo, NY; I am in Florida.
  : Thank you in advance for any information or recommendation you may have.
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Terri,  phenytoin (trade name Dilantin), is one of the most commonly used  antiseizure medications.  It