Hi, im new to this board and have epilepsy. For those of you that are not on disability, where are you going to get health insurance at a decent price? I've been told by my doctor that I should stop taking my dilantin medication due to its long term side affects. Dilantin is the medication thats work for me the best, but for people that are taking dilantin have you noticed any long term side affects???

Hi willis,
Now as for insurance, you can get insurance, but they will charge you ALLOT more for a pre-exisiting condition. Also now in the recession, they may no longer accept that, or they may charge even alot more per month. My epileptologist, and general practice doctor got me on SSA Disability, and also on the states medical aid. So medicare pays for most of the bill, and then medic aid pics up the rest. It goes the same way for the meds. with SSD you'll get a monthly check, and medicare. Then you can also have a part time minimum wage job, and always get your monthly check from SSA. Then if you find a job that even paid $250,000 per year SSA would still give you your monthly check, and medicare for 9 months. They do that just incase you lose your job because of your disability. That way you won't have to go through the whole application process again. But a few years ago bush told SSA to stop accepting so many for disability. That's because over the years it will hurt his war budget he says. my neuro beged me to go with SSA, and medic aid. She said that she has to fight too hard with all the insurance companies.
As for your med, I was on that years and years ago. So sorry I can't tell you anything there. I just remember my first neuro told me it wasn't doing a thing for me so he took me off of it. I've been on every med on the market and nothing has helped. But tegretol did a little at first, but then I became immune to it, and it won't help. Just now the VNS was removed, and the RNS was implanted. You take care.

Hi willis,
Welcome to the forum! You might want to check with the state insurance agency to find the best deal on insurance or you can call the Epilepsy Foundation of America if you're here in the U.S. you can reach them at
1-800-332-1000. They can help you also and give you info. on the dilantin also. I know I just received a letter from them stating that they are making a new form of dilantin. I wish you the best of luck and May God Bless You!

Sue