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Help with Tegretol CR
Wed, 09/27/2006 - 07:56Hello...
I am totally new here, and I hope you'll help me. I had my first seizure 2 months ago. Since then I take Carbaphen and soon (in about a week) I will also start taking Tegretol CR.
Could you tell me how this drug influenced on you? What were the consequences? Did you feel exhausted?
I also have one more question. I take 200mg of Carbaphen in the morning, and 200mg more in the evening (I think). Sometimes I have a glass of beer or tequilla 8 hours after taking it. Is it dangerous? Is it possible for me to collapse or to get a seizure? What about Tegretol CR? Do you drink alcoholic drinks? Does it influence on you?
I forgot to mention that I am 18 years old.
Thank you very much...
Re: Help with Tegretol CR
Submitted by Butterflygrl on Wed, 2006-09-27 - 09:18
Hello Chikita, I am also on Teg CR only 200mgs per day. I've been seizure-free for over 1 year now, after only having 2 gm's @ 1 mth apart. I still get the odd "aura", but it never generalizes into a gm. Everyone reacts to medications differently. There is no set standard to how each medication affects everyone. For me, I am on such a low dose, that the side-effects are quite minimal. In your case, since you are on more than one medication, I guess it would be safe to assume that you have more side-effects that I would. Drinking alcohol while taking medication always has the POSSIBILITY of posing a risk. Note that I said, *POSSIBILITY*. If your seizures are controlled, it shouldn't give you the "go-ahead" to go drink up a storm, as alcohol is one of the MAIN seizure triggers. However, I would think that if you drank HEAVILY you are more at risk for lowering your seizure threshold. I've had the odd drink or two, but if I know I've just taken my medication, I stay away from it. You really have to watch out and be responsible and sensible while on these meds. If you've had only 1 glass of beer 8 hours after taking your meds, and nothing happened, then I'm sure it would be fine. I'm not so sure about tequila. After all, 1 glass of tequila vs. 1 glass of beer, it's all the same. My advice to you would be, is do not make a habit of it. Be responsible. Live a little, but just be careful. A drink once and awhile shouldn't hurt you providing you have your seizures WELL under control. All the best!