Welcome back Lena!  What a frightening experience that must have been for your loved ones (and you, with the little bit you remember!).  I hope that the rest of your recovery is smooth and uneventful.

Hugs from out west,
Jill

Lena,
How terrifying.  I cannot imagine having such intense things happen and not being able to remember them.  I am proud of you for sounding so strong and being on top of things. Many hugs!

I was wondering if you were on any steriods during these crazy spells?  I have a friend who warned me about Prednisone.  When I was on it (several years ago) she told me that her mother went kinda' psychotic while she was on it, but then was okay once they took her off.  Just wondering if that could be an explanation? 

They talk about Decadron's possible side effects here (look under the "Neurological/Psychiatric" section):

                    Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or

This is the steriod they usually put peole on after brain surgery.

Good luck to you and LOL, ;
Stephanie

Hello,
no, I wasn't put on steroids coming home from the hospital after  the surgery. I'm wondering if it might have been the Dilantin. I asked this question to the medical proffesional and were told of course not. The seizure like symptoms I was having at the DRs. office during a regular blood draw for cholesterol level, My dr. then called to Boston(Brigham and Womens) to talk to Brain Surgeon, Nurse practitioner told them to pump me up with a dose of Dilantin . They did do so, it seems from there  I was Jeckle and Hide for  5 days.
I'm going to research my theory some more.
     Thanks MM friends!!!         Lena the curios....

I must say that I had debilitating side effects from Dilantin...plus it was such a pain to have my levels checked.  I was sluggish and very spacy, as well as always tired. 
My headache doctor moved me to Keppra, which I love!  I do not notice any side effects.  I have also heard great things about Lamictal. 
I too will research Dilantin...interesting possibilities!
Take care ;,
Stephanie

That is very, very interesting about Dilantin.  I knew about the level testing...I had to do those at least bi-monthly.  What a pain that was!  I, however, didn't know anything about the adverse reactions to mixing meds.  I am impressed you found that article.  I looked for several hours yesterday and found nothing linking Dilantin to any type of behavior you described.

Good luck talking with your doctor about your findings! Please let us know what the doc says. I am proud of you for finding a possible explanation. We have to teach our doctors these days as much as they teach us!

Take care,;
Stephanie

Thanks for the info Steph and Lena...

I do have my Dilantin levels checked quite often, along with other lab work, but the wierd thing is...although my Dilantin was increased up to 400 mg per day, somehow my body didn't absorb it and my levels still showed way below the "normal" range.  If I may ask, how much were you prescribed?  

Oh my gosh!   I have experienced first hand Dilantin's interraction with other medication, specifically my thyroid medication Synthroid!  It's a long story, but my TSH levels increased way above the normal range, and I definitely felt the side-effects.    My current neuro didn't start me on Dilantin, but he is slowly weening me off, as this is not his choice of anti-epileptic drug for me...

Lena, I personally don't think that Dilantin directly caused your unfortunate violent behavioral episodes, but it could've interacted with other medications you may have been taking, especially because you mentioned that you were/are taking 4 others in the category mentioned (maybe to prevent such episodes)...but that's just my guess.    Like Steph mentioned, please keep us informed on what your dr. says...I'm going to mention this to mine too...

Take care,
Shan

hello,
I was on 300 mg per day, the boost I recieved at the DRs. office was 300 mg  after that morning I had 100 mg.
( took 100 mg 3 times a day).
When they stopped it in the hospital on Sunday. That night I woke up every hour during the night feelig better, better, better. By the morning I was me. The next day they started Trileptal 600 mg per day, for a week up to 1200 mg per day. I feel great, no episodes, and I feel like myself. I'm happy and have lots of energy. I do get tired at times but, that can be expected. All is going well for now. You, are correct it wasn't Dilantin itself but, the interaction with the other meds that could have caused adverse effects.
               Your MM friend Lena

Hi Lena...good to hear you're taking Trileptal.   Yes Yes it made Cara very tired which is why the doctor wanted her to take at night only...then little bit in the day time...I guess you are taking it in pill form...Cara is taking it in liquid form (4ml in am and 5ml in pm)...it used to knock her out...now shes full of energy and been on it a year now (dosage is also double of when she started)...so I guess once your body gets used to it then it won't affect you as much.

One day I have her 2.5ml and my husband gave her another 2.5ml ...neither knew it...she was slurring her speech, falling asleep at therapy (before she returned to school)....and we figured it out.  Cara now says Daddy already gave me...or I double check.

It sure was scary hearing from your friend the episodes you were having...but am glad they figured it out and you're getting back to feeling good.

Tight Hugs,

Carol