Hi all. My neurosurgeon told me to go up from 50mg 2x a day of tegretol to 300mg 2x a day (my neurologist had me on this, plus 10mg of baclofen 3x a day and 600mg of gabapentin 3x a day- the neurosurgeon said it was basically a useless dose). I wasn't instructed whether or not to just jump right up or to titrate up. I do need to have been on this dose for a bit before I see him on Feb. 12th. I guess if this dose works I am a candidate for certain procedures. Anyhow, it is the weekend and I obviously won't be able to reach him. I have worked up to 150 2x a day. Does anyone have any thoughts of whether I should just jump on up to 300mg 2x a day or if I should build up to it? Do people ever just start on that dose? Thanks for reading my ramblings!
I would call the pharmacist and see what they think....people on these meds will chime in, but everybody has different BMI, different metabolism, different dosages here.
: )
Yes I agree with Kc Dancer Kc. You should ask pharmacy as we all are different. I am now on 2400 mg of tegretol but it took time to build up to that dose.
Lesley
yep, i too agree with both KC and Lesley...check with pharmacist.
I'm on 1200mg ...but i did take some time getting there. Although, i will say that when i was first given tegretol, i was told to take 100mg right off the bat and was pretty quickly up to 200mg.
Hi
You may want to get a second opion becuase Tegrital has many different side effects...If you work it may be very hard to work on 300mgs
Thank you all for responding. I spoke with a pharmacist who said I could do either way, but it was completely normal to just take 300mg 2x a day. I eased up over the weekend, dipping my foot into 100mg on Friday - no side effects, 200mg Sat morning, 250mg Sunday morning - a little wonky. I tried 300mg last night and am on 300mg this morning. I def feel funny. I am a little unsteady and tried to go for a walk but felt too weird. Fortunately (and unfortunately) I am not working right now because of the TN. I don't know, but I feel like this is a dose I could actually get used to over time. It doesn't seem terrible. We shall see if it actually works though. The on and off nausea I could live without. Thank goodness for crystallized ginger chews!
Edster, this is the third Dr. to suggest tegretol- I am just going to go with it for now. Thank you so much for your concern!
Just wanted to add LBhiker that the side effects you mention above will go away in a few days as your body adjusts to the dose. I’m currently going through the same thing as I had to add Keppra to my arsenal. I started the med yesterday and I know by Wednesday/Thursday these symptoms will go away.
I worked, took care of my household, kids, volunteered, was active etc on 800mg of tegretol for over 2 years.( with no pain or adverse effects) I did bloodwork every 3 months.
Good Luck, I hope this dose gives you relief!
(( hugs )) Mimi
titrate, always!
Thanks for the vote of confidence Mimi!
Jackie, thank you for your input!
Man, I was fine at the goal dose on Sunday night, Monday morning, and Monday night. Come today (Tuesday) I am having double vision and an unsteady gait. As I am not working right now my Dr.'s office wants me to continue on the dose as it is a diagnostic tool to see if I will be a candidate for any Brain Surgeries in the future if I choose to go that route. They call them "annoying but not dangerous" side effects. I guess I am couch bound. I had really wanted to start walking again and losing weight. I even got a FitBit (pedometer/accelerometer) a few weeks ago and was making progress. Sigh. I guess we have all been in a position like this before.
At least the major pain is gone. Now if the annoying burning and itching (what?!) would stop in my nose, I would be happier!
Bah, it's all okay! Right now I really do have a good outlook on things. I just needed to vent a little. Thank you for your time TN friends :D!