Carbamazepine User Reviews & Ratings (Page 4)

• BDT...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 26, 2017

For Trigeminal Neuralgia "Diagnosed after an auto accident and airbags smashed me in the face and broke my glasses. Pain of the trigeminal neuralgia was 3 to 5 minutes each time it hit and was, as everyone on here describes, indescribable. This drug worked, but I continually had to keep increasing the dose from 200 mg to 600 mg and, on occasion, 800 to 900 on bad days. I have found great success with this drug combined with an acupuncture regimen, this combo has stopped the continued progression/escalation of pain and has me living on about 600 mg daily, sometimes as low as 400 mg. The reduction has helped with drowsiness, and I am not quite as scared regarding the continual progression/elevation of pain and meds. Just hope it lasts, every bit of reprieve you can get counts for a lot. GOOD LUCK ALL."

• Cro...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• May 3, 2018

Carbamazepine for Trigeminal Neuralgia "Been taking 3x a day for several years. Suffered on and off for decades from head/facial pain with no diagnosis. Finally went to a good neurologist. Tried gabapentin. Didn't work at all. (Neither does Dilaudid.) This does make me groggy still, and I have nausea, brain drain, and more. I would take any side effect for relief from that horrific pain. I've had it so bad, I literally couldn't breathe in. The breakthrough pain I now get is mainly an ache in my ear and sometimes teeth. The side effects also may be from the 15 other meds I take for various problems."

• Sea...
• March 27, 2012

Carbamazepine for Epilepsy "Have had complex partial seizure disorder for over 40 years. My main medicine that held me for years was Phenobarbital. When I started having breakthrough seizures, Tegretol was the secondary medicine that has held me okay for the past 4 years. I tried Tegretol XR first, but for me, I felt very tired, some dizziness, poor memory, and very bland. When the Dr. switched me to regular Tegretol, it was totally opposite! I felt alive again, memory sharp, out riding horses, happy as a lark, and felt like my good old self. People should know there are many different medicines for epilepsy these days and also that there is a Tegretol XR (long-acting)."

• Bea...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• November 5, 2013

For Trigeminal Neuralgia "I have had trigeminal neuralgia for 8 years. I have been taking carbamazepine on and off for this time. This medicine has been very good for me, as it takes 99% of the pain away, with 800 mg per day. My side effect is tiredness, but I guess that is the price I have to pay for no pain. My TN used to stop after the season changes, but now it hasn't stopped, so it's carbamazepine every day."

• Anonymous
• March 8, 2009

Carbamazepine for Trigeminal Neuralgia "Although the side effects can be very difficult to deal with, the pain of trigeminal neuralgia is far, far worse. This last attack that I had with the disorder put me to my knees begging to die, so I started my Tegretol once again, and now, 6 days into it, no pain at all. I am very nauseated and extremely dizzy, but I will take the side effects over the pain any day of the week."

• Esc...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 24, 2025

Carbamazepine "I'm old, have probably had Bipolar Disorder lifelong, and my father probably had it too: he was cheerful, playful, funny, and talked a lot in rhyme! My mania is, at worst, an insane anger. At best, it's useful: I love it! Well, my father was also nervous, hyper. I can't stand tea, or any stimulating thing like what's in many cough medicines. Since my diagnosis, 20 years ago, my mania has been a snap to control with Dapakan (Valproate); HOWEVER, I've had ten-year periods of loving to lie down all day, with no enthusiasm for anything except what's mental. I also have nightmares, am anxious, even seeing spots, bugs, etc. Like you all, I've tried many medicines; and FINALLY, I realize that all drugs dubbed 'stimulating' work for days or minutes. What's calming makes me thrive. Tegretol is much more calming than Dapakan for me, while Gabapentin and Pregabalin too suit me fine. I've no more nightmares or ... Many antidepressants and anti-anxiety drugs are stimulating. Tegretol is quite calming!"

• VWa...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• July 14, 2017

For Trigeminal Neuralgia "I've had TN for about 6 or so years, was put on 900 mg a day, and that worked for a few years. N duh me slowly started taking myself off, and pain got worse, so Dr. upped the dose to 1800 mg a day. That worked for quite a while, then later it started coming back. So I did a lot of research and came across people that did the CyberKnife treatment, and no referral, and they got me in right away for the first appointment and did MRI and CT. They made a mask, and two weeks later I had it done. I'm just a few days out since treatment and the pain will get less and less after a month or so, so I'm hopeful. The other comments said they have been pain-free after the nerve started to die with a slight numbness, and I can deal with that versus pain. I'm hoping they find a cure."

• Anonymous
• February 18, 2012

Carbamazepine for Bipolar Disorder "Started taking this medicine about two months ago, after the Lamictal-induced sickness wore off. Up to 400 mg now, and I think I need a higher dosage as I have been manic for a couple of weeks now. But it started to work straight away, and no side effects except for my third day of taking them when I started to get a little confused. I was okay the next day, though!"

• Fel...
• January 25, 2018

Carbamazepine for Trigeminal Neuralgia "While I've taken Tegretol in the past with no issues, this time is different. First time around, no side effects. This time - possibly due to other medication - I've had horrible side effects. Headaches every day, dizziness, nausea to the point of not even enjoying a glass of water. Lightheadedness, unsteady on my feet - going for a walk with my friend the other day, I MUST have looked like a drunk. TBH - this time around, I'd rather have the nerve pain."

• Lat...
• March 20, 2015

Carbamazepine for Trigeminal Neuralgia "I've had Trigeminal Neuralgia for over 16 years, and the only relief I've ever had was Carbamazepine. Until recently, Walmart was trying to save me money by giving me the equivalent, Epitol, which I was told I'd have the same formulary. This can't be correct, because I can barely function due to being extremely sleepy with this drug. I had taken Carbamazepine for so long, and it worked 11 on a scale of 1-10. Changing my medicine without my consent was not a cool thing to do, and I urge others to make sure that they look into these things before taking different medicines. I'm not pleased with Epitol at all."

• Fou...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 21, 2012

For Trigeminal Neuralgia "I have trigeminal neuralgia with debilitating shock pain running from my upper gum/lip line up across my face into my eye socket. Carbamazepine was prescribed. After increasing the dosage incrementally, 800 mg a day (500 in the a.m. and 300 in the p.m.), it controls most of my pain. I still have touch sensitivity issues, if I run my tongue over my lip too hard, it sets off shocks. One thing you need to note: you may have to play around with the dosage and time of day you take it to control your pain. The first suggestion by my neurologist (100 mg three times a day) didn't even touch the pain. It was only after I kept insisting that it wasn't working that he turned me loose to trial and error on my own, with an upper limit of 1000 mg per day."

• Fun...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• October 2, 2016

For Trigeminal Neuralgia "I have been using Tegretol (carbamazepine) since 2008. I have been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and trigeminal neuralgia. I was put on carbamazepine because of the MS. My first dose started working at 400 mg and worked after half an hour. Now in 2016, because of my building intolerance to the medicine, I am at 1200 mg. I cannot live without this medicine. I have TN on both sides of my face. As soon as the shocks calm down, I will slowly try to back off the medicine back to 900 mg, where I was a month ago. Moving back and forth between doses makes my balance off and makes me feel sick. I take the 1200 mg by splitting it into four times: 8 am, 2 pm, 7 pm, and 12 am, not all at once."

• Tpm...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 26, 2016

For Trigeminal Neuralgia "I've been taking Tegretol for over a month now, right after my TN diagnosis. It took a couple of days to fully work. Ever since then, the pain went completely away. Side effects for me are feeling sleepy and dizzy all the time."

• Fac...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• October 13, 2019

Carbamazepine for Trigeminal Neuralgia "When I was first diagnosed with trigeminal neuralgia, I was in lots of pain. Pain medications did NOTHING. But Epitol worked, but I was continually upped on the dose to keep it working. At the highest dose my Dr. would give, 1200 mg a day, the pain still came back AGAIN. Finally, a neurologist added 25 mg of Amitriptyline and lowered the Epitol to 600 mg a day. I've even lowered that over the past few years to just 400 mg of Epitol a day and still only 25 mg of Amitriptyline at night. I've also used Carbamazepine (the name brand) and Epitol (the generic), both work the same for me."

• deb...
• April 7, 2016

For Trigeminal Neuralgia "Dear God, never experienced such pain like it (not even childbirth) - started with twitching to lower face 5 days ago and then bouts of explosive pain to left cheek, jaw, upper and lower teeth. Pain coming every half hour and lasting between 7-10 mins each - can't do anything other than wait for it to pass (and cry at times)! Started carbamazepine yesterday a.m. twice daily and pain lessened already, but feel very sleepy and a bit nauseous / 'loose' - still feel the underlying pain there, but so much better. Emergency dental appointment today with X-rays - no dental cause. Have had tinnitus in left ear for the past 8-9 months after a heavy cold plus some cervical disc bulging and nerve root impingement at C7. Anyone else been given a cause for this??"

• but...
• November 21, 2016

For Trigeminal Neuralgia "I have TN2. It took 10 months, 5 doctors, dentist visits, and lastly, in the hospital with severe neck, face, and ear pain to get the correct diagnosis. Like most first visits to the dentist, he said nerve issue, but I went to a regular doctor first, was diagnosed with migraine, went to ENT, he said no problem, go back to dentist. Meanwhile, I am having pain 24/7, can only open my mouth about an inch, eating ice cream and gaining weight. Started on a very low dose of carbamazepine because I am very allergic. First few days, numbness improved, then on 200 mg a day, it is working, but jaw pain has not totally subsided. I don't have any side effects so far, thankfully. If all pain does not go away, I will have to up the dosage after I see the doctor. Prayers to you all."

• Her...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 21, 2016

Carbamazepine for Bipolar Disorder "I found Tegretol very helpful. I take it in conjunction with mirtazapine, and it has really changed my life. I have many lifetime issues that will never go away, but with this combination of drugs, I feel my condition is under control. Now I take 400 milligrams per day of slow release with my dose of mirtazapine, and I only get angry now like a normal person, get irrational only in extreme circumstances, but generally, I can function fine."

• Cai...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• December 1, 2013

For Trigeminal Neuralgia "Been taking for 10 years. Just had a bad 3 months, and it took 1600mg for 3 weeks to control it. Now back to 1200mg and am reducing 100mg every 2 weeks. I was down to 600mg prior to this. A very heavy cold set it off this time. For some strange reason, 1 x 400mg tablet is far more effective than 4 x 100mg tablets. I am in the UK, so no insurance and little cost."

• Rff...
• November 19, 2016

For Trigeminal Neuralgia "TN came on gradually over a period of time, initially short attacks lasting only a few seconds prompted by face movement such as eating or talking. Went down the dentist route first and had 2 teeth removed until he told me I should see a doctor. I didn't go for some time, and attacks got worse, lasting longer and incapacitating in intensity. Diagnosed with TN and prescribed Tegretol. Taking 800mg a day and only odd 'breakthrough' pain on certain days depending on where the TN settles (sometimes in the muscle and jaw and sometimes on the skin surface). No side effects from Tegretol, but pain returns almost instantly should I miss my medication."

• Anonymous
• July 14, 2009

Carbamazepine for Epilepsy "I have had seizures for twenty (20) years now. I have taken everything there is to take, nothing worked except for Tegretol. However, I still had breakthrough seizures, so now I take Keppra with the Tegretol. I have not had one seizure for three (3) years now. Wow, oh what a feeling!"

• joh...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 2, 2024

Carbamazepine "Tegretol worked very well, feeling more stable, less depression, and just a plain better lifestyle. Better concentration and stable emotions were noticed by me and my family. Unfortunately, after 2 years, my doctor took me off it. Tegretol was affecting my liver, being over 2000 enzymes, which is dangerous. Went back to normal after stopping the drug. Went back on it at a lower dose of 100mg twice a day and being checked."

• Anonymous
• December 2, 2011

Carbamazepine for Peripheral Neuropathy "It took approximately 3 months for the Tegretol to have any effect. When it did, it was almost overnight. Also found that taking Xanax with it helps tremendously (with doctor's approval, of course). I take up to 3 mg of Xanax 3 times daily and 200 mg of Tegretol 2 times daily. It really works. The burning has almost ceased."

• Non...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 9, 2019

For Epilepsy "This stuff was horrible for me, did not stop sleeping seizures, and side effects gave me such a bad attitude. I was very grouchy but was numb to most feelings for other issues. I didn't want to do anything, ruined my appetite and my relationship. 200 mg twice a day."

• haa...
• July 19, 2014

For Trigeminal Neuralgia "My experience with trigeminal neuralgia is that it seems hugely influenced by emotional stress. Managing this and bringing presence of mind remain for me the most effective ways to deal with this crippling pain. Nevertheless, the carbamazepine seems helpful so far, though the side effects only seem to add to the symptoms of multiple sclerosis I've been diagnosed with for a dozen years."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 12, 2012

Carbamazepine for Trigeminal Neuralgia "It took me 2 years to be diagnosed, and as soon as I began taking Tegretol, I began feeling less pain. I take 600 mg daily. I was taking 800 mg, but the nausea was too much. If I ever miss a pill, I will begin to have pain, but while taking it, I am almost 100%."