I was recently diagnosed with TN and put on low dose of Tegretol. What are some of the side effects of the Tegretol that others have experienced? Also what are some other meds that people have been put on?
The following link will inform you on medically documented side effects of Tegretol (Carbamazepine). http://www.rxlist.com/tegretol-drug/side-effects-interactions.htm . Our Face Pain Info pages (menu above) also provide a list of medications commonly used to treat TN. See http://www.livingwithtn.org/page/info-8
Regards and best,
Red
I started on a low dose of Tegretol in July. I have read a lot about the various side effects that people have experienced, but personally I've found it ok. Initially I did feel a bit of brain fog - I felt very slow to react, and found it hard to find words when I was talking. I also found it quite difficult to get up in the morning - but I seem to get this with every new drug or dose increase, and I'm not a morning person, so I was expecting it. As I got used to the tegretol I found the side effects reduced and it has helped my pain. My dose went up about 3 weeks ago, and initially the effects increased but I found I adapted more quickly. There were days when I was upset by it as I am used to my brain working reasonably well even when I'm in pain and a lot of my work is copywriting, so there were times when I really didn't feel like me any more. But it really has settled down and although the pain does still flare up, generally I am in a lot less pain now than I have been for a couple of years. I'm still only on 400mg a day, but I also take amitriptyline - it helps reduce my level of pain as I have type 2 TN with constant pain, and also makes it easier for me to sleep.
There seem to be side effects with all the drugs that work for TN and everyone seems to experience different ones, but I hope the tegretol helps you. Just make sure that if you do get worrying side effects you check with your doctor or pharmacist quickly.
Thank you for this. I am starting to feel a little out of it and at a loss for some words which not good for my job as I talk constantly (law enforcement dispatcher). I am hoping that the mental side effects clear fairly quickly and the meds kick in so the pain goes away as well. Again thank you for the insight.
Courtney
ruth13 said:
I started on a low dose of Tegretol in July. I have read a lot about the various side effects that people have experienced, but personally I've found it ok. Initially I did feel a bit of brain fog - I felt very slow to react, and found it hard to find words when I was talking. I also found it quite difficult to get up in the morning - but I seem to get this with every new drug or dose increase, and I'm not a morning person, so I was expecting it. As I got used to the tegretol I found the side effects reduced and it has helped my pain. My dose went up about 3 weeks ago, and initially the effects increased but I found I adapted more quickly. There were days when I was upset by it as I am used to my brain working reasonably well even when I'm in pain and a lot of my work is copywriting, so there were times when I really didn't feel like me any more. But it really has settled down and although the pain does still flare up, generally I am in a lot less pain now than I have been for a couple of years. I'm still only on 400mg a day, but I also take amitriptyline - it helps reduce my level of pain as I have type 2 TN with constant pain, and also makes it easier for me to sleep.
There seem to be side effects with all the drugs that work for TN and everyone seems to experience different ones, but I hope the tegretol helps you. Just make sure that if you do get worrying side effects you check with your doctor or pharmacist quickly.
I'm starting Tegretol tonight so this was good to read. Frankly, I think if I had any mental fog it wouldn't be noticable, because I've been pretty foggy in general lately!
I have prior experience with the anti-siezure type meds from using Topamax for migraine prevention, so I imagine it will be similar. They say you lose weight on Topamax because you forget where the fridge is. :)
Update on my previous comment:
My doctor increased my dose two days ago. On the lower dose I had no side effects, but on this slightly higher dose I am having a lot of dizziness. I'm still on what most people would consider a low dose (400 mg a day) but since it's helping with the pain, I think I'll stay here.
At the moment I'm taking the Tegretol and ibuprofen and I am basically pain free so...woohoo!