Carbamazepine User Reviews & Ratings (Page 5)

• No ...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 3, 2016

For Trigeminal Neuralgia "Was prescribed the drug for trigeminal pain. Knowing people with trigeminal neuralgia and feeling my pain was nowhere as severe as some, I felt that it may be a bit overkill for my symptoms, maybe we were trying to castrate a mosquito with a machete? In the end, I couldn't stand how it made me feel. Put on 8 pounds in just 5 days. Blood pressure went up, and I was EXHAUSTED. I felt very edgy, lost confidence in my stride, and though the pain I was experiencing did dull, it began to expand to both temples, tingling in my lips and hands. Worst, I just didn't feel myself. I felt both drunk and somehow so fully aware of my strange symptoms. It was as though I was observing myself from a foot away. 200 mg twice daily for five days."

• 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!"

• Blo...
• May 16, 2017

For Trigeminal Neuralgia "Was diagnosed in January with TN, although I thought that's what I had. My dad and his sister had TN as well. Started on a low dose of carbamazepine, 200 mg a day, and naively I thought this would make the pain disappear. No, it did not. They gradually increased the dose to 300 mg three times a day, and this worked for approximately 8 weeks. I thought I had found the dosage that would work for me, and I would be pain-free forever, but no, the pain returned last week, and it was excruciating, I could hardly eat anything. I increased my dose to 400 mg in the morning, 300 mg in the afternoon, and 400 mg at night, and gradually the pain has disappeared. Spoke to the doctor today, and I can increase the dosage to 1,600 mg if needed, and she will prescribe slow-acting carbamazepine as well."

• Lul...
• August 21, 2020

For Trigeminal Neuralgia "I thought it was a toothache happening in my right upper jaw. My partner recommended that I see my doctor, who referred me to a neurosurgeon. He recommended surgery. I had the surgery, and the pain was gone for 5 years. Then, out of the blue, the pain hit me. My home doctor issued carbamazepine, but it took a while to take effect. They started to work, and I was pain-free for about a year. Suddenly, the pain returned. I increased the dosage, but it still hasn't helped. The pain happened when I went to wipe the nasal part of my nose on the right side. The shock went from there to my cheek and eye area. I was taking 2 pills in the morning, 1 pill at lunch hour, and 2 in the evening. Shocks happen in the morning, and now they are unpredictable. I saw the doctor, and he said to add one more at lunch time. I thought it may be from drinking coffee, as it has caffeine in it. So, I'm cutting out any caffeinated drinks and seeing if it's part of the problem. Praying for everyone who is suffering from this horrible pain."

• Red...
• September 29, 2016

For Trigeminal Neuralgia "I got the TN problem 3 years ago. Initially, thought the problem was with my teeth and did a root canal. It was not necessary and was diagnosed with TN. Tegretol helped to reduce the pain to a manageable condition. I took 400 mg 3 times a day. But that much medicine every day made me feel so drowsy. So, I read about the chiropractic and started doing the adjustments and started doing brisk walking every day for 4 miles. With this for a year, the medication is reduced to half. Now I am taking only 200 mg 3 times! This is a good improvement in my case and want to continue the same until I stop taking any medication to reduce my pain completely. Hope this helps many who are going through this mega pain to reduce the medication."

• Liz...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 4, 2012

Carbamazepine for Bipolar Disorder "I've been on Epitol for a little over 6 months, and it has CHANGED my life. I had a hard time finding a medication that didn't worsen my condition or give me weird side effects, and so far, I've had NONE of that from Epitol. The first few weeks were a little difficult, as it made me kind of tired, but I quickly adapted and no longer get drowsy. (I still find it best to take it before bedtime.) My depressed symptoms are all but gone, and my manic spells are much more mild (though occasionally longer). This medicine was a Godsend."

• Chi...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 26, 2016

For Trigeminal Neuralgia "I have only had two doses so far, 100 mg/2x a day. The pharmacist said it could take 5-7 days to feel the full effects as it has to build up and that I could still take Motrin or Vicodin (neither of which really put a dent in the pain) until it starts to work. So far, I've had probably 9 or 10 'episodes' of pain, and instead of what I can only compare to contractions (I've had 3 natural childbirths), the pain is now about a 6/10 vice 10/10. I am so happy about this. I developed TN 6 months ago and thought, like others, it was in my teeth or gums; I now know it was due to a sinus surgery... The pain has gone from mild, one episode a day to intense, excruciating, balled up on the couch crying every hour, bad. I hope this medicine works."

• Anonymous
• November 27, 2011

Carbamazepine for Trigeminal Neuralgia "After being on regular Tegretol for about a year in combination with Neurontin, my neuro changed it to the Tegretol XR with fantastic results. I have been taking this for about 2 years now, and other than the annoying side effects and occasional breakthrough pain, I am very happy. Be warned, though, that the new generic of Tegretol XR may not be as effective as the name brand. When the generic came out, my insurance automatically switched me, and they didn't work near as well, and I was having a lot of breakthrough pain. My Dr. had to make a request to my insurance for the name brand, and thankfully they approved it."

• Jan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 9, 2013

Carbamazepine for Trigeminal Neuralgia "My problem started with severe uveitis/iritis (inflammation of the iris) for which I was under an eye specialist's care. This went on for almost 3 years before the doctor was able to get it under control. I lost a lot of vision in the left eye (it was in both eyes). Eventually, I became aware that I had tested positive for Lyme disease in 2005 but was never treated for it. I continued to have severe pain around the left eye that was incapacitating. I finally found a Lyme doctor after much pain, agony, and suffering. I was told I had trigeminal neuropathy in my left eye. I was given carbamazepine 100 mg x2 per day. I have only been taking it PRN, but after reading other people's experiences, I believe I need to take it every day to get the full effect. Thank you."

• Ema...
• May 24, 2016

Carbamazepine for Bipolar Disorder "This was the best medication I have ever had. I take 2 at night and 1 in the morning. The only trouble I have had was that one time the doctor tried to up me to 2 at night and 2 in the morning, and it caused a terrible vertigo-like feeling. I couldn't even stand up. Overall, I would say it's a great medication."

• Gle...
• September 29, 2020

For Trigeminal Neuralgia "I am 71 years old and experienced severe face pain last week, so my first port of call was the dentist. I asked him to X-ray all my teeth and give me a check-up. The X-rays showed little difference from those taken 5 years ago, and a thorough examination of all my teeth showed no problems. That evening, I tried to eat scrambled eggs, and the pain was excruciating when I tried to bite down on the food. The next day, I managed to see my GP, explained all my symptoms, and was given a prescription for Tegretol 100 mg twice a day. I took 5 in all. The pain is gone, dizzy and confused, I nearly fell down the stairs. I started to feel sick, couldn't face food. I stopped taking them after 4 tablets and will wait to see if the pain comes back. I am not sure if these pills can be taken sporadically or over a period of time to work. I am scared of this medicine, as my mother-in-law, who also has TN, warned me that the medical profession has doubts about the safety of this drug."

• Mny...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 25, 2019

Carbamazepine for Epilepsy "Tegretol is the only medicine that stops my tonic-clonic seizures. I've been on it over a year, taking 1,000 mg a day. The first month I had memory problems and drowsiness, but that went away fast. The biggest side effect I had that never went away is severe depression caused by it. My depression is gone thanks to Lexapro 20 mg a day. I highly recommend Tegretol for tonic-clonic seizures due to epilepsy."

• Anonymous
• July 7, 2010

Carbamazepine for Epilepsy "No seizures while on Tegretol. Extreme headaches first 4 weeks, extreme tiredness. Six weeks after starting Tegretol, hives started to appear and got worse. Blood tests showed liver enzymes were three times higher than usual and red blood cell counts slightly reduced. Thyroid gland swelled up also. All these were shown to be a severe allergic reaction to the drug. People should be aware of this as a possibility."

• Ryd...
• August 7, 2020

For Bipolar Disorder "I've suffered from bipolar and psychosis since I was 14 years old, probably triggered by sexual abuse when I was a small child. I had a psychotic breakdown 12 years ago, and my doctor prescribed carbamazepine (I had been wrongly diagnosed with schizophrenia, in fact, it was schizoaffective disorder). After just one dose, I felt my head calm down, and I experienced a semblance of peace at last. It genuinely saved my life despite side effects, which I can live with."

• Ano...
• December 31, 2010

Carbamazepine for Epilepsy "I am 39 years old now and have been on Tegretol since I was 20. I have not had a seizure for 19 years. Then, this past weekend, I went on a trip and did not take my Tegretol for 3 out of the 4 days I was there. The next day, I had a grand mal seizure, and the ambulance came. I attribute it to becoming complacent, and it really bit me, but I will not make this mistake of being lazy and not taking it again. I was on 200 mg for the last 3 years without a problem, but will increase it to 400 mg just in case. Tegretol really does work wonders, and I hope to be seizure-free the rest of my life if I can faithfully stay on this medicine."

• Kat...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• May 20, 2014

Carbamazepine for Epilepsy "I have been on this medicine for 27 years. Except for extreme tiredness, I seem okay. Have not had a fit when on this medicine. One week I came off the medicine, between suicidal thoughts, crying jags, and depression, I had massive fits. I have not been off since. This medicine seems to affect the liver, so liver tests are a must."

• Al1...
• January 31, 2017

For Trigeminal Neuralgia "Trigeminal neuralgia started about 6 months ago. Started the carbamazepine about 3 months ago and have been having the dosage steadily increased to 200 mg 3x/day with an additional 100 mg at night. Pain is easily triggered by the slightest touch to the right side of my face, and I can avoid that for the most part during the day, but nighttime is bad. The effectiveness of the additional 100 mg at night lasted 2 days, and pain is just as bad again. At 61 years of age, with multiple health issues and on disability because of COPD, not sure how much of this I'm going to be able to take."

• ssd...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 20, 2015

For Bipolar Disorder "I was diagnosed with Bipolar I and OCD when I was 14. I am now 38 and a mother of 3. I have been taking Equatro/Tegratol XR (carbamazepine) for 3 years now. I also take it with a mild antidepressant. I think on its own the carbamazepine worked okay, but I found myself still depressed. No more rage or bursts of anger, but zombie-like. As soon as my doctor introduced the antidepressant into my regimen, I feel wonderful!!! I take 600 mg a day total of the carbamazepine XR, 1 tablet in the AM and 2 before bed. My morbid thoughts have stopped, and my suicidal tendency went away almost completely. My moods are elevated and stable now. I am able to enjoy life now."

• Anonymous
• November 3, 2009

Carbamazepine for Epilepsy "I have taken Carbamazepine for 36 years and have experienced no significant side effects. I take 400 mg per day and have gained almost total control of my condition. No seizures since 1983. Do not cease taking Carbamazepine suddenly for any reason whatsoever. The withdrawal can be extreme. The ER medication is very useful."

• Tab...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• July 24, 2022

For Bipolar Disorder "At age 38 years old, my new doctor diagnosed me with Bipolar Disorder, hypomania, and lengthy mixed states. He prescribed Tegretol XR. Within 48-72 hours, my world and everything in it changed. Colors were brighter. My fear of going places and doing things slowly dissipated. My attention was being drawn towards the outdoors and hobbies. First grade was a special kind of hell for me. Poor social skills with people my own age. I was 6 years old and knew that on a fundamental level, I was broken, somehow wrong. Later diagnoses were Adult ADD. An OCD-like behavior and study methods led me to look at a potential learning disability. I had been an A/B student most of my life, yet it was true. I have overcome much in my life, but Tegretol XR opened that door for me. Side effects were barely noticeable to nonexistent. On a scale of 1-10, sorry, but I give it a 50. It changed my life."

• Sno...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 31, 2016

For Trigeminal Neuralgia "I only started taking Carbamazepine 6 days ago after the Dr told me I 'possibly' have TN. My symptoms of extreme pain in my teeth/jaw on one side started a month ago only when I have something to eat/drink that isn't warm or if I breathe through my mouth. I am only on 100mg twice daily and have had only a minor side effect of a very slight feeling of 'spaced out' rarely, though. The meds seem to have reduced the severity and length of the pain already, but I'm hoping a trip to my chiropractor can help even more. I will let you know how that goes."

• Tin...
• February 13, 2013

For Trigeminal Neuralgia "I started taking gabapentin for my trigeminal neuralgia nearly 3 years ago, but it gave me alarming mood swings. I nearly hit my wife! This sent me back to the doctor, and I was put on pregabalin, which was slightly better on the mood swings but became less effective over time. Now on Tegretol slow release (400 mg morning and 600 mg evening), it allows me to work but in some pain. I tried 600 mg twice a day, but I slept all day, every day for a month. Breakthrough pain can be helped by taking tramadol and co-codamol, although only slightly. Overall, good, but it will leave you sleepy and forgetful - don't forget its job is to slow the neurons in your brain (I believe it was originally developed for epilepsy). Don't expect to be completely pain-free, and good luck."

• Sch...
• February 29, 2016

For Peripheral Neuropathy "I had shingles 10 years ago in my mouth and it developed into Trigeminal Neuropathy on the left side of my head. A year ago, I started with a terrible burning, electrical shock-like feeling on my left foot. My toes burn terribly, my right foot feels as if it is wrapped in plastic wrap all of the time up to my calf. My left foot feels the same but with my toes burning. I have been taking Cymbalta, 60 mgs per day (20 mgs 3 times a day). I have also been on Tegretol (800 mgs per day) for 2 years. I finally had very little pain in my feet, so I dropped from the 800 mgs a day of Tegretol to 600 mgs last Monday. I thought I was taking the Tegretol for my mouth burning constantly from the Trigeminal Neuralgia and migraines and thought I'd give it a try to drop down to the 600 mgs to see if it made any difference. Since last Monday, my right toes are burning constantly again, and I've had migraines caused by the Trigeminal Neuralgia. I am DEFINITELY CONVINCED Tegretol along with Cymbalta have been my saving grace from pain. The two, together, are almost stopping my pain completely in my head and my feet. It's amazing the difference and only since last Monday. If you can take Tegretol and Cymbalta together, I suggest doing it. Both are great medicines."

• bea...
• June 24, 2014

Carbamazepine for Epilepsy "I have been on Tegretol for 31 years, as well as Lamictal, excellent until I turned 52. Then had some partial seizures. So my neurologist upped it from 400 to 800 Tegretol and upped Lamictal as well. Getting control slowly. Been 5 months. Now, improvement is happening but slow. Confident. Depends on what meds suit your body. Keep positive."

• Que...
• September 22, 2019

For Trigeminal Neuralgia "I was diagnosed 4 years ago with trigeminal neuralgia and was put on Tegretol 200 mg a day. For 2 years, I was fine, and then I was put up to 400 mg. 4 months ago, I had a massive flare-up, so I have seen the neurologist 3 times, been off work 4 months, taken 3 x 600 Tegretol under neurologist, and given pregabalin to run alongside 400. I’ve now got it under control. Back down to 900 mg Tegretol, off pregabalin as it did nothing for me. I am still having pain on top of my cheekbone and have been given nortriptyline for that. Tegretol does give me brain fog, but I would say I am 90 percent normal and as good as I’m going to get, I’ve been told. I have requested MVD op, but it's a long way off. Also, I have put in for PIP claim and have an assessor coming out. (Tegretol refers to carbamazepine)"