My Friend & Memory Problems

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Kathy - 02 Dec 2006 03:05 GMT

A friend of mine has been taking Dilantin for several years for Temporal
Lobe Grand-Mal Seizures. About a year or two ago, my friend had a
"spell" where he knew what was going on around him, but it seemed
surreal: He answered the phone, put someone on hold, drooled at the
desk, stood up and walked around searching for the co-worker needed on
the phone and stumbled into a door jam. Later, he had a grand-mal. He is
showing signs of memory problems such as duplicating work already done
and forgetting things like conversations. He seems to need to
concentrate or focus more deeply on verbal questions in order to
formulate his answers. He is sleepy most of the time, and has bouts of
insomnia. He does not appear to be aware that these things are occurring
and/or is in denial.

His neurologist claims all levels are FINE no changes needed. I doubt he
communicates these symptoms to his DR. Is this medication related or is
something else going on here that needs to be investigated? How safe is
it to take Dilantin for extended periods of years?

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partials - 02 Dec 2006 04:30 GMT

> A friend of mine has been taking Dilantin for several years for Temporal
> Lobe Grand-Mal Seizures. About a year or two ago, my friend had a
> "spell" where he knew what was going on around him, but it seemed
> surreal: He answered the phone, put someone on hold, drooled at the
> desk, stood up and walked around searching for the co-worker needed on
> the phone and stumbled into a door jam. Later, he had a grand-mal.

That sounds basically like theme & variations on a Complex Partial seizure
(Temporal Lobe)that becomes Secondarily Generalized into the Grand-Mal (assuming
you do mean with convulsions).

> He is
> showing signs of memory problems such as duplicating work already done
> and forgetting things like conversations. He seems to need to
> concentrate or focus more deeply on verbal questions in order to
> formulate his answers.

There are memory problems associated with Dilantin use and with some of the
other drugs. The basic neurological problem can be responsible for some of the
memory loss though and it's hard to know which to blame the most. The most major
parts of my own memory loss occurred long before I started on Dilantin.

> He is sleepy most of the time, and has bouts of insomnia.

Dilantin can cause a fog, but there may be other things at play here such as
Sleep Apnea which would deprive him of a restful night's sleep. What you
describe is a classic symptom of Obstructive Sleep Apnea. It is far more common
in the general public than once recognized.

> He does not appear to be aware that these things are occurring
> and/or is in denial.

You lost me there.

> His neurologist claims all levels are FINE no changes needed.

His neurologist is responsible for seeing to it that his seizures are
controlled. If the last was that one 1-2 years ago, then that part seems to be
in place.

> I doubt he
> communicates these symptoms to his DR.

Why do you think that and why wouldn't he? My doctor asks me pointed questions
in regard to having any seizures at each appointment. If you mean the daytime
sleepiness, a neurologist might just dismiss it unless he also had credentials
in sleep medicine.

> Is this medication related or is
> something else going on here that needs to be investigated?

The medicine could play a role and I drink coffee, as do others, to counteract
that effect of the Dilantin. However, the way you describe him, I think he needs
a Sleep Study. Depending on the insurance arrangements and whether he is under a
HMO, his General Practitioner (Internist) might refer him to a specialist if
presented with the facts. That involves an overnight stay in the hospital so
that he can be observed while sleeping.

He probably should be seeing his GP anyhow for a thorough physical checkup.
There could easily be other factors at play.

> How safe is
> it to take Dilantin for extended periods of years?

People here report taking it for up to 40 years.

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Sofia - 06 Dec 2006 01:16 GMT

>> A friend of mine has been taking Dilantin for several years for
>> Temporal Lobe Grand-Mal Seizures. About a year or two ago, my friend
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
> seizure (Temporal Lobe)that becomes Secondarily Generalized into the
> Grand-Mal (assuming you do mean with convulsions).

I'm inclined to agree, with this, I don't know if you've ever seen one of
us have a Complex Partial, but we sort of walk about confused, but fully
awake, as if in sleepwalk, - I have approx 3-4 a day personally, but my
grand mal's come separately. It looks like your friend has a rare form of
the Complex Partial, sort of mixed together with his Grand Mal.

I also agree with partials on the piece about memory loss - I've NEVER
been on Dilantin in my life, always different mixtures of other 2-3 meds
together to try and control my several different types of seizures, but
the neurologists are still trying in my case, and my after effects and
memory loss get ever worse.

If he does have memory loss though, this condition is more likely to be
something to do with his epileptic seizures, not anything to do with the
drug he's taking for them. It's a possibility though, so if he's worried,
do ask him to consult his neurologist about it at his next appointment!

Sofie

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