Carbamazepine and Pain: What Users Say

• tab...
• July 17, 2009

Carbamazepine for Trigeminal Neuralgia "I started Tegretol a week ago for Trigeminal Neuralgia. I was having more and more episodes of TN, and was miserable. Since starting the medicine, I have only had one brief episode of pain. I have had terrible itching since I started taking it. I saw a different doctor today about the itching, and he said the dose was too high. Hopefully the 100 mg twice a day will relieve the TN pain and not cause itching. I am happy to try the Tegretol, because TN pain is unbearable. Worse than any pain I've ever had (including labor, c-section pain, and oral surgery pain)."

• Gra...
• August 15, 2015

Carbamazepine for Trigeminal Neuralgia "I have been on Tegretol for about 7 years, which has been good with manageable attacks in between. It took 2 years before I was diagnosed, in which time I had the fillings on the right side of my face replaced 3 times looking for the cause! I have now been in an attack for the last 3 and a half weeks and finally have some relief. I am now having double my dose of 800mg but still have a slight electric shock feeling and my top and bottom jaw ache slightly. I am getting a referral at a London hospital to check my teeth, just to make sure they are okay, but it is just like when I was first diagnosed. Wind or air con are worst for me. This is an awful illness, and I do hope you will get the help that you need."

• Jen...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 18, 2015

Carbamazepine for Trigeminal Neuralgia "Diagnosed with TN two weeks ago. Within the first 24 hours of taking Tegretol, I felt amazing. No pain, clear head, etc. A week and a half after starting the medication, I had a horrific TN episode for twenty hours. The pain was so bad it woke me from sleeping. I'm not sure whether to go back to the doctor for an increase or just put it down to allowing the meds to do its thing. Can only wait and see."

• 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."

• 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."

• Tdo...
• June 20, 2011

Carbamazepine for Bipolar Disorder "I just started taking Tegretol on June 3 for mood stability. Also prescribed Celexa on the same day. I also take Methadone 10 mg 4x a day for chronic pain management for the last 10 yrs. I love how it makes me feel, and it's very hard for me to get angry, BUT it interferes with the methadone. At first, nothing except feeling drunk for the first 4-5 days. Then it started. Withdrawal symptoms, increased pain, restlessness, insomnia, fatigue, and nausea. Not sure if I can continue treatment but will find out on June 24 after my doctor's appointment. Also taking meloxicam. Will let everyone know my results Friday afternoon."

• sna...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• January 7, 2017

For Trigeminal Neuralgia "I am a 6; 5' 245 71 yr old retired teacher after 30 yrs since 2007. I played 2 yrs NFL and 2 1/2 yrs in ABA and am a nightclub bouncer, working as a bond recovery agent and security guard at troubled apartment complexes. 3 tours in Vietnam. I have been shot, stabbed, been in numerous fights, and in the last 45 yrs have had 11 surgeries ranging from 2 total hip replacements to eye, knees, nose, and ankle. Suffice it to say I have experienced pain. Have TN for the last 16 yrs. Unequivocally, this is the WORST pain I have ever experienced, bar none. And as I get older, as I am told by my doctor, it will only get worse. I was prescribed 300 mg 3x/day, but since June of 2014 have been taking 150 mg 4x daily. Now taking 900 mg/day and I can't seem to balance the pain. Any insight ???"

• Teh...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 10, 2017

For Trigeminal Neuralgia "Tegretol (carbamazepine) and Caflam plus Toredole injections when my pain is out of control and I am screaming. I was diagnosed with Trigeminal Neuralgia (TGN) last week, and after that, two MRIs followed, showing a clear report apparently. Tegretol initially helped me for a day, and then the pain returned. I was put on Zegap, Phlogen, and Ansaid, but nothing controlled my pain. I was, and I am still taken to emergencies every day, twice. In emergencies, they inject Toredole, and that tamed the pain. But now it tames the pain in my temples only. The pain in my jaw and teeth on the right side aches a lot :( My doctor says surgery is the only solution to this sort of advanced level pain, and even if the pain comes back, it won't before TEN years. I doubt :("

• Jay...
• November 9, 2015

Carbamazepine for Bipolar Disorder "On 400 mg, making me very nauseous, along with neck and shoulder pain."