My doctor prescribed Tegretol 200MG 3 times per day. How long does it take to get relief from the pain? Have been on it for going on five days now and don't feel any relief yet?
Thanks!
Hi Teresa,
It can take a few weeks to find the right dose…usually therapeutic relief can be found between 600mg-800mg. Sometimes it’s re-working how you take them…I ended up changing to the slow release version ( Tegretol XR ) and found taking 400mg in the a.m and 400mg in the p.m worked well for me.
We’re all so different though. It’s trial and error. Give it at least 4-6 weeks and make sure you work with your doctor on how to taper up before you give up on the med.
Good luck. Hope you find relief soon,
Mimi
Thank you so much for your input.
I second everything Mimi has said. I take tegretol 200mg 4 x a day. I also had to add gabapentin to my tegretol. I take 3000mg of gabapentin a day broken up into 4 doses. I also take extra gabapentin immediately if in having an attack. We are all very different and unfortunately there’s no set combo of medications that work everyone.
I must be a wimp. I could not handle the side effects from that stuff. My pain felt better!
I’ve worked up to these dosages over time. I didn’t start off like this. I still have some effects but they are tolerable compared toy pain. I’m glad your pain felt better!!
Thanks for info on tegretol XR was not aware there was an extended release. Am taking 200mg 5x daily. Whats crazy before surgery only on 200mg 3x daily. But of course I know now its on right side too. I think Mimi is correct it soes habe to read a certain blood level to kick in , correct me if am wrong. Give it some time and always consult with your doctor about titrating up and down on your dose. Hang in there Teresa!
My Best to you
joanne xo
Oh thank you so much for all your comments. They help tremendously. Pain has been getting progressively worse and doctor upped my meds to 400mg 3x daily. Now trying to adjust to being groggy and tired. Dr tells me I'll get used to it. Am having trouble with dry skin, especially on my scalp. Does anyone else have issues with dry skin?
Thanks.
Teresa yes dry skin is awful tried everything I use straight vaseline now that seems to help. Hope increase in tegretol helps you will be groggy for awhile until your bidy gets use to it. I guess these are the trade offs in attempts to be out of pain. Keep us posted and take care!
My Best
Hi Teresa,
Here's my Tegretol story. Background: Type I TN on my L. side for over 5 years and then it took 3 months to get that diagnosis. My electric jolts were like being Taser(ed) at my left lower gum-line. I tried about all the usual TN meds, but ultimately settled on Tegretol. It seemed to work best for me, but the side effects were terrible at first- Dizziness, loss of balance, dopey and listless. Those all lasted for close to 4 months and then just faded away. Many folks around this forum on Teg. have reported similar side-effects for the most part. Then, for me, came the chapter about where my Neuro. Doc.calibrated my Teg. dosage...Just sort of rock the mg down/up to tamp down the shocks while minimizing side-effects. Most people on Teg. go through that as well.
However, I was left with one side-effect: Short-Term Memory Loss; and it is horrible, especially if one is trying to hold a job or maintain relationships, etc. This hasn't gone away yet for me, not that it will; and it has my whole family (except me) worried. I trust that this fog will lift when I'm taken off Teg. Many here also experience this issue to some degree. I hope Teg. never stops working for me and I'll have to start the whole meds process all over again.Neither surgery is an option for me.
So Teresa, that's my TN story and "I'm stickin' to it". I hope there's something here you can use!
Blessings, Rick Bruce
Hi Rick,
Thanks for sharing your story. I hope your short term memory returns very soon. Feel better soon.
Thanks
Teresa
Rick Bruce said:
Hi Teresa,
Here's my Tegretol story. Background: Type I TN on my L. side for over 5 years and then it took 3 months to get that diagnosis. My electric jolts were like being Taser(ed) at my left lower gum-line. I tried about all the usual TN meds, but ultimately settled on Tegretol. It seemed to work best for me, but the side effects were terrible at first- Dizziness, loss of balance, dopey and listless. Those all lasted for close to 4 months and then just faded away. Many folks around this forum on Teg. have reported similar side-effects for the most part. Then, for me, came the chapter about where my Neuro. Doc.calibrated my Teg. dosage...Just sort of rock the mg down/up to tamp down the shocks while minimizing side-effects. Most people on Teg. go through that as well.
However, I was left with one side-effect: Short-Term Memory Loss; and it is horrible, especially if one is trying to hold a job or maintain relationships, etc. This hasn't gone away yet for me, not that it will; and it has my whole family (except me) worried. I trust that this fog will lift when I'm taken off Teg. Many here also experience this issue to some degree. I hope Teg. never stops working for me and I'll have to start the whole meds process all over again.Neither surgery is an option for me.
So Teresa, that's my TN story and "I'm stickin' to it". I hope there's something here you can use!
Blessings, Rick Bruce
Update on Tegretol. Doctor doubled my meds and the pain almost went away. All except chewing but it was manageable.
Was still so tired and groggy. Then woke up Monday morning and had a rash all over my body. Argh! am allergic to Tegretol! Have been off Tegretol since Monday and the pain is returning. Saw my doctor today and she put me on 75MG of Lyrica twice a day to start and possible 4X day. Does anyone have any feedback on taking Lyrica? Side effects? Any and all feedback is appreciated.
A friend recommended trying Coconut Oil. Will try and let you know if it works! Thank you!
tatto20 said:
Teresa yes dry skin is awful tried everything I use straight vaseline now that seems to help. Hope increase in tegretol helps you will be groggy for awhile until your bidy gets use to it. I guess these are the trade offs in attempts to be out of pain. Keep us posted and take care!
My Best
Hi Teresa,
I used to take Lyrica at 150 mg/day split into two doses. It helped with the pain, however, there were also side effects (in my case short-term memory loss, fatigue, nightmares and night sweats). All side effects went away when I came off the drug.
The best combination of treatment for me at the time was Lyrica, antidepressants, regular spine adjustment, massage and acupuncture. It was all pretty costly and time-demanding, but it really helped not only with the pain but with my feeling of overall well-being.
As to coconut oil -- I'd be cautious to use it on skin regularly because it can actually dry it up. I used it for some time as a facial moisturizer (after reading about its benefits on Earthclinic) and after some time my skin was desperately needing moisture. But just like with medication, everyone can react differently even to coconut oil, I suppose:-)
Take care of you,
Oli
Lyrica did not agree with me and did not help my pain at all. I can’t remember what my exact side effects were I’m sorry. I wish I could be of more help. I think the most important thing to remember is that everyone reacts differently to all if these meds. Lyrica may be the magic thing for you, or may work in some combo of other meds. Listen to your doctor, listen to your body, and give any new regimen a couple of weeks to get working properly in your system before you ditch it.
Lyrica did not help me at all..but then again every person is different. I was on it for almost two weeks and was asleep for most of that time (sort of in zombie mode). For me, 200mg Tegretol x2 seems to be working.
I had to figure out when to take it to make sure I'm covered all the time. Can't delay when it's time to take my meds. Still getting used to feeling sleepy and tired non stop. But that does get better with time.
Teresa,
At the height of my pain…I was on 1200 milligrams daily. I was ramped up over weeks to full dosage strength. Has your doctor suggested this is may be an introductory dosage and gradually increased…to find what manages your tn?
I've been on Lyrica for almost 4 weeks, same dosage as you, and not much relief. Pretty constant aching, at times jabbing, bad ear ache feeling, worms in my teeth...lots of heat and icing seem to help and about once a day have real crisis pain where I Almost give in and go to the emergency room. As far as side effects, a little dry mouth and constipation, which I deal with by drinking lots of water and eating prunes!!!! But I need serious pain control....
Teresa said:
Update on Tegretol. Doctor doubled my meds and the pain almost went away. All except chewing but it was manageable.
Was still so tired and groggy. Then woke up Monday morning and had a rash all over my body. Argh! am allergic to Tegretol! Have been off Tegretol since Monday and the pain is returning. Saw my doctor today and she put me on 75MG of Lyrica twice a day to start and possible 4X day. Does anyone have any feedback on taking Lyrica? Side effects? Any and all feedback is appreciated.
Lyrica…worse drug of all for me…did nothing for the pain, except make me not care about it so much. I would repeat the same word in one sentence…it made me an idiot! I didn’t care about anything, except my tv set and maybe lifting my head off a pillow once and awhile. I found eating with spoons upside down best…or food I could slide into my mouth. I hated lyrica! Once again…everyone is different.