Epanutin

[Tree Roots]

Can long term use of Epanutin affect your feet, different sensations in them, sometimes cant feel water temp, painful all over. I also have fibromygia (sorry cant spell that).

Also can your sz change sometimes with reducition in medication?
I don't know if I am doing this right not use to sites like this.

[Epilepsy Action]

Hi Tree Roots

There are some side-effects of Epanutin that could be causing your symptoms, so it's well worth checking then out with a pharmacist or your doctor. And, of course, it might be nothing to do with the Epanutin, so you still need some advice.

All the best

Kathy

[Dr Hannah Cock]

Dear TreeRoots,
Epaneutin (Phenytoin) has been associated with damage to the ends of the long nerves causing sensory changes in the feet (peripheral neuropathy), but the same symptoms can be due to lots of other causes, so if you haven't already you should see your doctor to get this checked out. There is no association between phenytoin and fibromyalgia.

Regarding your second question, yes if you reduce your antie-epileptic medication this can sometimes result in a change in seizures - you should never reduce the dose unless you have been advised to do so by your health professional.

If you have been reducing the dose because you are worried about possible side effects of the phenytoin, this is understandable - but you should seek medical advice first - it might be that you could be switched to a newer antiepileptic without these side effects. however this shoudl be under medical supervision.

Good luck

[Andrew Kelso]

Even if Epanutin isn't the cause of your symptoms, there are likely to be some good treatments to reduce the severity of the discomfort, so another good reason to get them checked out

Andrew