Hi Barbara!
Carbatrol is actually an anticonvulsant used to treat people with seizures and an anagesic used to treat the nerve pain of TN. I started out just on 900mg a day and it really wasn't doing much for me. I then went up to 1200mg, the max, and it made me feel drunk and I mean DRUNK! So, 900mg was the max for me.
My neurologist then added Lamictal along with the Carbatrol. Lamictal is also used to treat seizures and Bipolar disease. I had to start out on pack that the dosage increased over a few weeks. This is because it can cause a serious rash that would require hospitalization. Luckily, that did not happen! The Lamictal seemed to help the pain, but it still wasn't good. So, he then added the Lyrica and for me that was the magic pill! But, it seemed that the combo of all three was really the ticket.
I have slowly decreased the Carbatrol over a span of months. I went from 900mg to 600mg to 300mg and now I'm trying 200mg. In 3 months, I'll see my neuro again and he'll decided if I should go down to 100mg. He doesn't want to change anything with the Lamictal and Lyrica. He did say that the Lamictal may be all I need at some point. I was on Lyrica twice a day, but I cut it down to once a day. I just hate being on all this medication. I also take thyroid medication, bladder medication, and Zoloft for depression. It's insane! lol
I hope this helps answer your question. I also hope you're pain is manageable for you. :)
Nan