 |
NetWellness provides the highest quality health information and education services created and evaluated by faculty of our partner universities.
Saturday, July 4, 2009
|
|
|
NetWellness provides the highest quality health information and education services created and evaluated by faculty of our partner universities.
Saturday, July 4, 2009
|
Epilepsy |
Decrease in dilantin levels11/05/2007 04:09PM |
I have been diagnosed for more than 30 years with one form or another of epilepsy. At age 11 I was diagnosed w/petit mall, and by age 13 experienced my first grand mall seizure. Several years ago, I had a gastric by pass operation, I have continued on my medication of dilantin, however this year I was diagnosed with Prostate cancer and underwent a radical laproscopic prostatectomy. In the five months following my cancer surgery I have experienced two grand mall seizures. Both times shortly after having had theraputic levels checked and they were at 14. At the time of the seizures the levels were down to 7. Following my surgery, I was treated for cancer using Lupron and Casodex hormone therapy. My question is; has the hormone therapy had some effect on my dilantin levels? (I have since opted to stop that therapy due to other side effects), is it possible that due to the malabsortive nature of my gastric bypass surgery (3+ years later?) I am unable to absorb as much of the dilantin as I used to? I also confess to having had a few drinks the night before my last seizure and the day before that while fishing and watching football. I must add though, I went a ten year span w/o meds at all and drank as much and as often as I pleased w/no ill effects. I am willing to swear off drinking, if it means no seizures. I am 57 and other than the epilepsy and cancer I am in what appears to be top health. Lifetime total grand mall seizures in the last 44 years, = 10 however they are vilolent seizures and have caused me great bodily harm in the past, including but not limited to, bi-lateral torn rotator cuffs, dislocated shoulders, broken shoulders.
There are no known drug interactions between Dilantin, Lupron and Casodex. It is more likely that the gastric bypass had an effect on the absorption of the Dilantin.
|
David M. Ficker, MD Associate Professor Department of Neurology College of Medicine University of Cincinnati |
|
|
|
Please note: only your personal physician or other health professional you consult can best advise you on matters of your health based on your medical history, your family medical history, your medication history, and how information from any of these databases may apply to you. Neither University of Cincinnati (NetWellness) nor any party involved in creating, producing or delivering this web site shall be liable for any damages arising out of access to or use of this web site, or any errors or omissions in the content thereof. (More) |