I am a 64 year old male who has been taking Mysoline to control epilepsy for over 40 years. About 5 years ago I developed Dupuytrens in both hands and subsequently had plastic surgery to correct this problem. The surgery was 90+% successful. However, I recently went to my GP to see about having skin cancer removed from between my nose and cheek. The need for a plastic surgeon was discussed and I mentioned to this new doctor (my previous GP who knew my background had retired) that I had had surgery for DC. He looked up a Database for Product Information on Mysoline and found that there was "proven" link between Mysoline and DC. I subsequently was given a paper by a Dr G.F.Falasca in USA in which he makes the link between DC and drugs which contain or metabolise into phenobarbitone. Mysoline is one of those drugs.
I saw the plastic surgeon about my skin cancer and also told him what I had been read about Mysoline and DC. He would not accept this and said that the problem (DC) was caused by epilepsy, not the medication.
Is there any one out there who has had similar experiences?
I find it hard to believe that I am stuck with this forever, just because I need medication for epilepsy.
My next step is to see a neurologist and discuss alternative medication.
This was posted on February 20 20001.
I hope that someone else may be able to throw some light on my predicament. If you do have DC and are not an epileptic I would be pleased to hear from you, similarly I would like to hear from anyone else in the same position and what medication you are taking and for how long?

I found out this afternoon that I have DC. I have been taking Mysoline for 2 years and have severe epelepsy. I also take Zonegran and have a Vegas Nerve Stimulator. It was interesting to read David's post about frozen shoulder's being linked to anti epileptic drugs as I have experienced a frozen shoulder (quite painful) and my orthopedic never mentioned it being related at all to my epilepsy drugs..I would be interested in knowing where to find information on the subject as I still am having trouble with that shoulder. If you can change to another med besides the Mysoline..is there a chance the DC will diminish?.. I've been through about every med available.