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Carbamazepine/tegretol retard - any views on this med/advice pls??!

Wed, 06/17/2009 - 08:28

Hello - I'd love some advice or people's experience of Carbamazepine (or Tegretol Retard as it's called here, slow release form of carbamazepine)??! I've been changed from Epilim (Sodium Valproate) to Carbamazepine - it's only my first week so I'm still on both. The only side effect I had from going on Epilim was weight gain, quite a lot to be honest. Has anyone had an issue with gaining or losing weight when on Carbamazepine? Also any other side effects? I would love to lose weight coming off Epilim but I'm not sure what happens - my appetite went up a lot when I went on Epilim and my metabolism seemed to slow down!

I had to come off the pill as the dr's said I would need to double the dose if I wanted to change to Carbemazepine, which to be honest I wasn't willing to do! So I'm a bit apprehensive as I'm coming off microgynon (the pill), which I've been on for years, whilst phasing Carbamazpine in and Epilim Chrono out! So side effects wise I probably won't know what is connected to what!

 Any experience or advice would be greatly appreciated! :) 

 It's always hard changing medications, you never know what side effects you might get, whether it will control your epilepsy etc - I tried Keppra a couple of years ago & that did NOT agree with me, sent me to sleep straight away, then gave me massive mood swings/depression and suicidal thoughts when I had nothing to be upset or depressed about! I'm hoping I don't get anything like this with Carbamazepine! If anyone else is changing, hope it goes well! xx

Comments

Re: Tegretol retard - side effects??!

Submitted by Believe on Mon, 2009-06-29 - 12:42

I do not think that I have had any type of mood swings on them, and my family hasn't complained of any of them!  LOL  So, I think I can safely rule that one out.

I will agree to some extent that it does seem to "sap" you.  As you become more adjusted to it that does become less noticeable.  However, to some extent it does hold true.  I find that you really need to be mindful of getting enough rest and relaxtion.

 

 

"Prayer is not an old woman's idle amusement. Properly understood and applied, it is the most potent instrument of action." - Gandhi

I do not think that I have had any type of mood swings on them, and my family hasn't complained of any of them!  LOL  So, I think I can safely rule that one out.

I will agree to some extent that it does seem to "sap" you.  As you become more adjusted to it that does become less noticeable.  However, to some extent it does hold true.  I find that you really need to be mindful of getting enough rest and relaxtion.

 

 

"Prayer is not an old woman's idle amusement. Properly understood and applied, it is the most potent instrument of action." - Gandhi

Re: Carbamazepine/tegretol retard any views on this med/advice

Submitted by bleedingheart on Sat, 2009-06-27 - 23:18

Hello

I have been taking tegretol XR for 19 years and I have virtually no side effects. I did have a seizure when I was undergoing a doctor's supervised medication withdrawal (after having a normal EEG). That is the only time I had a seizure when taking Tegretol XR.

I have gone from taking 90mg/day in 1990 to 400mg/day today. I have no apparent side effects. I still need enough sleep but I can tolerate a few late nights without seizures. Not everyone has as good results as I do. Some of my friends still have seizures but less frequently than they did before. Hope this helps.

.

Hello

I have been taking tegretol XR for 19 years and I have virtually no side effects. I did have a seizure when I was undergoing a doctor's supervised medication withdrawal (after having a normal EEG). That is the only time I had a seizure when taking Tegretol XR.

I have gone from taking 90mg/day in 1990 to 400mg/day today. I have no apparent side effects. I still need enough sleep but I can tolerate a few late nights without seizures. Not everyone has as good results as I do. Some of my friends still have seizures but less frequently than they did before. Hope this helps.

.

i'm on 700mg of tegretal

Submitted by han_xx on Tue, 2009-07-14 - 20:24
i'm on 700mg of tegretal retard a day since 2006, i havent noticed any side effects except very recently because i've developed a tolerance to it. as for the pill, i'm on the progesterone injection, or the depo provera as they call it! i've been on it for years with no problems, i'd recommend it as it can still be administered despite the meds!

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