Dilantin causing intensive hand and wrist pain

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Jip - 15 Aug 2004 22:00 GMT

I have been on Dilantin for almost twelve months and over the past 3+
months I have been having significant pain in my hands, wrists, and arms.
Can Dilantin cause this? It did not seem to be an issue when I first began
taking it - could it be that it has built up in my system over time and
now it has become a problem?

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Bob - 15 Aug 2004 22:19 GMT

> I have been on Dilantin for almost twelve months and over the past 3+
> months I have been having significant pain in my hands, wrists, and arms.
> Can Dilantin cause this?

I don't know, but I sure hope not as I'm currently in the process of switching
from Phenobarbital to Dilantin to get rid of the same problem. My epi tells me
that Phenobarbital causes the problem in about 2-3% of the people who take it.
Hopefully he wouldn't be switching me to another drug that did the same thing.
You have my sympathy because I know what you are going through.

> It did not seem to be an issue when I first began
> taking it - could it be that it has built up in my system over time and
> now it has become a problem?

They should be running period blood-level tests to determine your current
level of Phenytoin (Dilantin). There are conditions that can cause too high a
level, but your doctor should have caught anything like that with a blood
test.

Bob

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gaross - 15 Aug 2004 23:07 GMT

> I have been on Dilantin for almost twelve months and over the past 3+
> months I have been having significant pain in my hands, wrists, and arms.
> Can Dilantin cause this? It did not seem to be an issue when I first began
> taking it - could it be that it has built up in my system over time and
> now it has become a problem?

Do these show up in the Morning, or more or less during the whole day?
If they're showing up in the Morning, you may be having seizures in your
sleep, so might just need a minor adjustment to the night-time dose. G./

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Jip - 19 Aug 2004 23:47 GMT

I am having symptoms throughout the day and night. My doctor is letting me
get off Dilantin to hopefully get some relief. Thanks for the great
responses and I will keep everyone posted on my progress.

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Bob - 20 Aug 2004 03:40 GMT

> I am having symptoms throughout the day and night. My doctor is letting me
> get off Dilantin to hopefully get some relief. Thanks for the great
> responses and I will keep everyone posted on my progress.

What drug are you switching to for seizure control? You must need something
for your seizures?

Bob

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