# Help! **URL:** \ **Category:** General TN & GPN (Old Site)\ **Created:** [September 2, 2012, 9:56pm UTC](https://forum.livingwithfacialpain.org/t/help/3276 "2012-09-02T21:56:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![hcshmily](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/9fc348/32.png) [@hcshmily](https://forum.livingwithfacialpain.org/u/hcshmily)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2012, 9:56pm UTC](https://forum.livingwithfacialpain.org/t/help/3276/1 "2012-09-02T21:56:42Z")
Hey all I just started tegretol on Saturday and am having very unpleasant side effects horrible headache cranky itchy and feel like a zombie I only take 600 mg a day. As far as my TN pain I feel like it has only dulled it. Should I keep taking it or stop and wait until Tuesday when I can talk to my neurologist? I really feel like the percocet worked just as well with less side effects but I don't have enough of it to get me through until Tuesday when the dr opens ---
**Author:** ![Christine3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ed8c4c/32.png) [@Christine3](https://forum.livingwithfacialpain.org/u/Christine3)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2012, 2:23pm UTC](https://forum.livingwithfacialpain.org/t/help/3276/2 "2012-09-03T14:23:37Z")
I would call the neuro ASAP. Th office must have an on all doctor even on the long weekend. I had an allergic reaction to Tegretol, but couldn’t get in to see my doctor, or get the nurse to understand the severity of my reaction funtil two days after I started having the rash. I continued to take the Tegretol until I could see him, and by that time I was covered in a rash and my whole face and head was swollen. I had to take prednisone to address the allergic reaction. He took me off the Tegretol immediately, and I now take gabapentin. Although it is very rare, some people can have an extremely serious reaction to Tegretol called Stevens Johnson’s . Please call your doctor today. All the best to you! ---
**Author:** ![Laura\_Cr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/b5a626/32.png) [@Laura\_Cr](https://forum.livingwithfacialpain.org/u/Laura_Cr)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2012, 3:10pm UTC](https://forum.livingwithfacialpain.org/t/help/3276/3 "2012-09-03T15:10:47Z")
I was prescribed 400mg a day but my pharmacist highly recommended that I start with a half dosage the first week and told me not to drive...so at only 200 mg, 10o in the morning and 100 at night I was dizzy, dopey, etc. so I can't imagine what shape I would have been in if I had taken the full dose the first week. It did work for me in managing my pain and continues to do so but does have side effects I don't like even at low dosage. I have never been itchy on it and that would be a symptom that would concern me most since that is usually my first sign of an allergic reaction. ---
**Author:** ![Min](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.livingwithfacialpain.org/min/32/6259_2.png) [@Min](https://forum.livingwithfacialpain.org/u/Min)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2012, 4:16pm UTC](https://forum.livingwithfacialpain.org/t/help/3276/4 "2012-09-03T16:16:08Z")
Hi, it takes up to 3 weeks to get into your system and reach its full effect. But if you are extremely uncomfortable check with your doctor!! :) ---
**Author:** ![Jess2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/7cd45c/32.png) [@Jess2](https://forum.livingwithfacialpain.org/u/Jess2)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2012, 11:28pm UTC](https://forum.livingwithfacialpain.org/t/help/3276/5 "2012-09-03T23:28:42Z")
That is how much Tegretol I take and I have the same side effects. I took it for 4 months before switchin to Gabapentin, and I can also say Tegretol keeps the pain away better. I am gonna request a blood test for my liver function and go back to Tegretol. The side effects sometimes stick with people. Like you I was a zombie, couldn't carry on a conversation properly without tripping on words, and I was a tired alot. I don't recommend just cutting it off cold turkey. That is a drug that you need to ween off of.