Experiancing headaches as a result of Carbamazepine

Had to go to the ER for a headache that has lasted 3 days now. Usually the headache is on my non-TN side around my temple and behind my eye. Recently I have been getting them on both sides.

I noticed that the first medication the doctor ordered was flagged as not compatible with Carbamazepine (I didn't get the name) and as a result was prescribed Hydrocodone. I have been on hydrocodone in the past for back pain and remember still having the headaches so I'm not very optimistic.

Is anyone receiving medication in addition to Carbamazepine for headaches and if so what?

Please call your local pharmacist..... they are the guru for side effects!

This is one of many reasons why I depend on my Walgreen pharmacist!!!!

Recently, my teen son was on requip for restless legs, was on it for a few months

-- he also had 5 other meds he takes for a long time.

Within months, my son lost 30 lbs , only eating one small meal per day, no snacks, no pop.

I was getting really worried, doctor couldn't figure it out.

It was the pharmacist that dug deep for ten minutes and found that 5% of requip users can become ANOREXIC !!!

Doctors are more bogged down and in a hurry into giving you another pill for your headache, not finding the root cause!

Wow KcDancer - how is your son doing?

E - Other than the great advice that Kc gave you all I can tell you is that taking alot of narcotics can cause re-bound headaches that are much worse and just don't want to go away. I have gone to the ER many times in the past for that, it took quite some time to figure out the cause. Doctor changed my narcotic to a different one and the horrible headaches ceased. Let us know what you find out, maybe it will also help others. Feel better....Jodi

Son is eating great!


Until now I have not been on any meds other than the Carbamazepine and its not a narcotic is it?
Jodi said:

Wow KcDancer - how is your son doing?

E - Other than the great advice that Kc gave you all I can tell you is that taking alot of narcotics can cause re-bound headaches that are much worse and just don't want to go away. I have gone to the ER many times in the past for that, it took quite some time to figure out the cause. Doctor changed my narcotic to a different one and the horrible headaches ceased. Let us know what you find out, maybe it will also help others. Feel better....Jodi

Im sure the headaches i experience weren't at your level,but xtra strength Tylenol was a life saver to me.I took too many(3 at a time) but they worked for that dull aching pain and helped a bit with the TN pain.I dodged any ill effect that i know of.I also took hydrocodone right along with it.Good luck.

I’ve been on carbamazepine since I first got diagnosed in September. I also have been getting headaches everyday for the last month. When it gets where I can’t take it anymore, I take a vicodine. My headaches are pressure headache that last from one day to the next. I haven’t gone to the e.r for it. But it’s defiantly new to me. Hope you find some relief soon.

I also get terrible pressure type headaches from carbamazepine. I saw a neurosurgeon at John's Hopkins last Friday and told him that I get these headaches that are bilateral and are all over my skull, forehead and both temples... terrible pressure,achy with some sharp stabbing pains, on and off. It's awful. He said because I have bilateral pain, I most likely am experiencing Atypical Facial Pain, although he said that I also have Typical TN features...going to have a FIESTA Scan early next week to see if I am a candidate for MVD surgery. Hope so, keeping my fingers crossed. I cannot work or drive on these meds, they keep the pain down, but they are also ruining my life. I want my life back!

if you don't mind me asking what medications besides the Carbamazepine are you on? What ones are for the headaches? Our symptoms sound very similar. I have headaches just like you described and TN1 on the left side of my face.

I was given Propranolol 60mg 2x a day for the headaches however, I had to stop them today because of the side affects.



Adele Capozzoli said:

I also get terrible pressure type headaches from carbamazepine. I saw a neurosurgeon at John's Hopkins last Friday and told him that I get these headaches that are bilateral and are all over my skull, forehead and both temples... terrible pressure,achy with some sharp stabbing pains, on and off. It's awful. He said because I have bilateral pain, I most likely am experiencing Atypical Facial Pain, although he said that I also have Typical TN features...going to have a FIESTA Scan early next week to see if I am a candidate for MVD surgery. Hope so, keeping my fingers crossed. I cannot work or drive on these meds, they keep the pain down, but they are also ruining my life. I want my life back!

I tend to get pressure in my head from Tegretol or a buzzy feeling but not headaches per se'. I do get headaches in the morning from my Ambian :( Usually a cup of coffee corrects it, go figure.