Hey all!
Im really nervous to start Tegretol because of the side effects. I was also wondering if anyone has ever gotten pregnant on it and what happened? Also has anyone ever had Scarlet Fever with ATN/TN? I recently just contracted it and it was the worst pain ever! It threw my ATN into over drive! Thanks for any information!
I had Scarlet fever as a child. My mother, to this day, talks about how sick I was so I can only imagine how it is for an adult.
Yea its horrible! I had to stay away from my daughter so she wouldn’t get it. This is actually the second time I have gotten it as an adult only I didn’t have ATN/TN at the time. It comes with a headache and the headache associated with a sinus infection as well. I thought I was going crazy!
There is an alert pertaining to an elevated but still low-grade risk of birth defects from Tegretol in pregnancy. Suggest you review the materials at rxlist.com for an authoritative statement. Alternately, look up the TN Association's patient representative (Cindy Ezell, herself a nurse who carried a child to term while taking Tegretol).
Regards, Red
Comming from a non prego women my dr prescribed tegeitol to me I took one dose and upon some research was terriifoed to ever take it again … There are so many side effects and risks including fatal anemia it effects your blood platelets not to mention that cancer causing parabens are right in the ingredients of alll the forms of tegeitol … I don’t blame u for being nervous I’d do some serious research iand determine if the benefits out weigh the risks for you good luck hun
Shann and Em,
I think we need to exercise prudent caution when using powerful medications. But that caution needs to be grounded in reading from authoritative sources. Rxlist.com and drugs.com are good places to start for assessing the frequency of serious side effects. While anemia, bone marrow suppression and sodium deficiency do occur with Tegretol, they are NOT common. And all three are manageable with reasonable self-monitoring, doctor oversight and blood testing.
If Tegretol makes you uneasy, there are alternatives. Oxcarbamazepine and Gabapentin are metabolized outside the liver, and many patients report that they are better tolerated than Tegretol, with fewer side effects.
Regards and best,
Red
I was prescribed tergretol at the ER when I was diagnosed. I was so scared of the side effects that I didn't take it till I went to my regular dr and got a second opinion. He told me " silly girl you would of felt so much better if you would have started when the first dr told you to. But I can see where the side effects can be scary but they are very very rare". I tust my physician since he has carried me through a difficult pregnancy, c section, and is my babies dr. After starting the meds I dont feel 100 percent but my severe attacks have been cut in half. I guess you just have to take a chance with the meds to get relief and they all have the possibility for nasty side effects. I hope you find what works for you! Good luck in your battle against this nasty condition.!
Thanks everyone for your replies and support. I have started the Tregetol and im hopeful to have some relief. I would really like to get back to work as well. Mommyheather did you conceive while on the drug? My boyfriend and I are looking to start trying for a family soon and im a little nervous about being on it while trying to conceive.
Thanks Red for letting me know someone has carried a completely healthy baby to term while on! Thanks again everyone I really appreciate all the replies I got!
No I didnt my condition started when my newborn was 2 weeks old.?I hope everything works out for you!
Em said:
Thanks everyone for your replies and support. I have started the Tregetol and im hopeful to have some relief. I would really like to get back to work as well. Mommyheather did you conceive while on the drug? My boyfriend and I are looking to start trying for a family soon and im a little nervous about being on it while trying to conceive.
Thanks Red for letting me know someone has carried a completely healthy baby to term while on! Thanks again everyone I really appreciate all the replies I got!
All,
My Neuro. Doctor switched me from Gabapentin (300mgX4 Daily) which wasn't stopping my break-through pain, to Tegretol 100X3 per day to start.
Still having jolts and am curious why the Teg. tabs are of the chewable variety (w/food or milk). The early morning chewing action kicks off intense face-Taser onslaughts--I need to contact Doc about options again. Chewable Teg. isn't going to get it from what I can see. (L. side facial Type1 TN since Dec 2008).
Hoping you're All having a PAIN-free evening.
Blessings,
Rick