Dilantin and gums

I was diagnosed with epilepsy thirteen years ago. I never had seizures where I would pass out; in the beginning I only had vibrations and this lasted a few days. After several occurrences and ignoring the doctor, I finally went on Neurontin and that worked fairly well for ten years. Over the last three years, however, I've been having periods where I become confused for twenty seconds or so and then come back to reality. I know it's happening and when I try to communicate it's mostly incoherent nonsense.

Since these seizures have picked up, I've tried every medicine in the book! Dopomax, Tegretol, Kepra; you name it, I've tried it. Finally I asked my doctor about Dilantin; I remember my cousin taking it when we were young. I remember him having to get his gums cut and stuff like that but I was out of options.

With the medicine, I seem to be doing okay. I still have periods of confusement, usually at night but when you teach 7th graders that's bound to happen! My question pertains to possible hemorrhoids or skin tags. Has Dilantin been evaluated in terms of causing such discomfort? I had the actual surgery years ago, so my rhoids have been under control for the most part, however, since I started Dilantin, it seems like my butt is always sore.

I have just been reading the list of, what I am considering to be "possible", side effects from Dilantin . Doesn't everyone, whether on Dilantin or no drugs at all experience headaches, nausea, stomach pains or depression from time to time?
After being on this medication for over 30 years there are some things which I've experienced. Just about everyone complains of hyperplasia but it has been my experience that if I maintain a clean healthy mouth, there is no hyperplasia. If, for one day, I do not brush my teeth, hyperplasia sets in immediately & it then takes a week or so to get it under control. So, brush, brush & brush your teeth.
As far as memory loss or difficulty learning, I suppose it happens to everyone at one time or another. However I have graduared from high school with honours & became a registered nurse (top 5 in my class of 56) all while I was on Dilantin.
The only true adverse side effect from taking Dilantin for over 30 years which I experience is that whenever I am tired, my speech can easily slur. I am very aware of this & it's become habit to pay close attention to my pronounciation & correct it so I may articulate normally. Not a big deal & a very small price to pay.
I'm not one for pity trips or blaming my seizures or medications for my downfalls in life. I am so grateful to have my seizures under control & hate to think where I would be today if not for Dilatin. Remember, if you look for it , you will likely find it. So try not to look for all these adverse side effects (crutches)& see the benifits. We have enough to handle keeping this under control & educating the sometimes ignorant world.
I took control of the epilepsy that attacked my system. I would never allow it to control me. Good luck to all of you. Sincerely :)

I've been on Dilantin for approx. 5 years now because I began having seizures after being involved in an airplane crash when I was 14. I suffered a ABI (Aquired Brain Injury) which has had a considerable effect on me. A considerable problem with this is trying to separate what symptoms are a result of what condition.
Since I've been taking Dilantin - I've noticed first of all my gums tend to be a little more sensitive than normal, bleeding at times when I brush.
My ability to learn new activities & study is also diminished, I find I have to study twice as hard & have to do things twice as much as the average person before it finally "sinks in". To the un-trained eye, this can be easily mistaken for laziness or lack of motivation. I had always attributed these learning difficulties to my brain injury, but after looking into Dilantin side-effects, I've discovered that diminished learning has also been associated with taking this drug.
Another side-effect I've noticed is a diminished sex-drive. Only recently have I started looking into this, but I've dealt with this for the past couple of years, and it has really started to have an effect on my relationship with my wife.