1. < Epilepsy & Seizures

Dilantin, Toprimate to Keppra Dilantin and possibly surgery

Posted by richardlsolomon @richardlsolomon, May 25, 2018

I been dealing with seizures 16 yrs. I been on Dilantin the whole time but added Toprimate a year and half ago. It seemed to be a little worse since now there looking to weaning off Toprimate for Keppra but stay with dilantin. My new neurologist mentioned another option of taking off meds and into a hospital bed. They would hook up electrodes to see what area the seizures come from. They possibly could look at surgery.
Has anyone done this? What are some flaws to surgery?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Epilepsy & Seizures Support Group.

Brian | @briandungan | Jun 4, 2018
In reply to @briandungan "I had surgery and was told but there was a 50-50 chance of it working. My..." + (show)
@briandungan

I had surgery and was told but there was a 50-50 chance of it working. My particular situation did not work and cost an infection in my skull. I think it depends on each patients situations.

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First surgery was 2012. At first I felt a lot better finished my college. In 2014 lots of seizures found the infection removed most of the infection from my skull. Still have the infection but a lot less. If I hadn't gotten the infection it would have worked.

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richardlsolomon | @richardlsolomon | Jun 4, 2018
In reply to @briandungan "I had surgery and was told but there was a 50-50 chance of it working. My..." + (show)
@briandungan

I had surgery and was told but there was a 50-50 chance of it working. My particular situation did not work and cost an infection in my skull. I think it depends on each patients situations.

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Hey Brian it's too bad you got the infection cause understand how great it would of been for it to work. Hopefully maybe to get the infection done can cure it. I want to thank you for sharing your story and message me anytime of any changes. Good to hear different stories as it's something I may go through.

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richardlsolomon | @richardlsolomon | Jun 4, 2018
In reply to @jakedduck1 "I think your wise going off the dope-a-max as many people call it. My doctor tried..." + (show)
@jakedduck1

I think your wise going off the dope-a-max as many people call it. My doctor tried to put me on it but I told him “It will NEVER happen.” Good luck with the Keppra.

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Thanks Jake
If anything new comes up and can private message me.
Good to hear different stories of so outcome from others dealing with seizures

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Leonard | @jakedduck1 | Jun 4, 2018
In reply to @briandungan "I had surgery and was told but there was a 50-50 chance of it working. My..." + (show)
@briandungan

I had surgery and was told but there was a 50-50 chance of it working. My particular situation did not work and cost an infection in my skull. I think it depends on each patients situations.

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Although I understand everyone is different and may respond differently but you may ask your Neurologist about Phenobarbital (largest selling AED) however most docs don’t like it since it’s a barbiturate. Personally I think Benzodiazepines are far worse. I was on Klonapin, a Benzodiazepines and about never got off it. Where as Valum & Lorazapam (both Benzos) have no effect. But that’s me. I hope the Keppra works out well for you.

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Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Jun 5, 2018
In reply to @jakedduck1 "I think your wise going off the dope-a-max as many people call it. My doctor tried..." + (show)
@jakedduck1

I think your wise going off the dope-a-max as many people call it. My doctor tried to put me on it but I told him “It will NEVER happen.” Good luck with the Keppra.

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Hi Richard,
You'll notice that I removed your private email from the public discussion board. I did this because Connect is a public site and we don't want you to get unwanted spam in your inbox. Should you wish to contact a member privately, simply click their name and send a private message. It is more secure.

While you can message each other privately, I'd like to point out the benefits of sharing in the forums. This allows others to join the discussion, such as Brian just did yesterday, and share their experiences so that we can all learn together.

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Moderator
Lisa Lucier, Moderator | @lisalucier | Feb 7, 2020
In reply to @richardlsolomon "I'm hoping Keppra and Dilantin work and if not being able to try and see if..." + (show)
@richardlsolomon

I'm hoping Keppra and Dilantin work and if not being able to try and see if surgery is an option. I'm behind the doctor decision. Toprimate since I've started has been really crappy for me and just made things worse. It wasn't too bad just Dilantin as I been fighting forest fires for 15 yrs on it.

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Just wondering how your levetiracetam (Keppra) and phenytoin (Dilantin) worked? Is the surgery option still on the table?

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