Because of extensive trauma to some nerves and to the tissues in general from dental work, I now have been diagnosed with trigeminal neuralgia, which is pain in my mouth and face. My teeth are healed now and ready for crowns.

My dentist, endodontist (rc spec) and I cheered today from finding an answer finally.

But I just got a prescription for dilantin, a med prescribed for seizures, which is also prescribed for my condition.

I desperately want to feel better. And I want to be a model patient.

But I just read some frightening reviews from a site called Ask A Patient that said that dilantin causes cerebellum problems.

Now, I took seroquel for insomnia before, which also caused problems like this. Cerebellum controls breathing and involuntary muscles and one night, on Seroquel, I woke up not being able to take a breath. Not congested, I simply could not move my chest muscles or my face muscles and could not swallow well.

Scared me so bad.

One review said "dilantin side effects are worse than seizures".

"don't take this medication".

Maybe I am being too careful.

But this is my body.

I am not a teenager anymore.

And I am very very sensitive to meds.

I am in a quandry now between pain and being scared of an emergency because of respiratory failure.

I would rather take pain.

But I am really upset, too.

I was looking forward to a possibly pain free night finally so that I can sleep!

Billi