Is Carbamazepine (Tegretol) ever prescribed to take as PRN?
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Hello all, winter of 2017 I started having what I thought was a toothache... within 24 hours half of my face was drooping and I was in extreme pain. The ER docs couldn't decide if I had Bell's Palsy or Trigeminal Neuralgia. I went to see my Neuro (I have chronic pain from back injuries and migraines, etc) and I was diagnosed with BOTH... at the SAME TIME. Bell's Palsy and TN... My face was so messed up and the sensations were so weird. She did an MRI just to check for lesions or growths and my MRI was clean, so she prescribed Carbamazepine for me. I already take GAbapentin (nuerontin) daily for my chronic issues.
Anyway, it took a month or two for the numbness and paralysis to fade and a bit longer for the nerve pain... but it did clear up. I stopped taking the Tegretol when the symptoms ended.
I've noticed in the last few days that warm tingling sensation and lightning strikes of pain across my check bone area... and I'm nervous. I have the feeling I might be about to experience another round of the TN. I still have Tegretol. I'm wondering, has anyone ever been prescribed to take it on an as Needed basis (aka PRN)?
I'm wondering if I should call her about it... I'd really rather not go back to taking it every day though, since right now the flashes are intermittent and tolerable. But I also don't want to end up crying in the ER again with face pain cause I didn't do anything.
Any advice?
1 like, 3 replies
fred10352 MommaGx3
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judith81624 MommaGx3
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MommaGx3
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Thank you guys for your thoughts. I figured that when I see the Neurologist they'll put me back on the Carbamazapene and I'm thinking it'll be the same deal as last time, like you guys have experienced... build it up and then stay on it until the nerves settle and then wean off.
My last episode ended like a year ago so I've not had to really deal with it... but for some reason, it's coming back. I can feel it. I think she said I had atypical TN... I even feel it in my right temple. Feels like someone has hit me with a baseball bat and I have a bruise. Touching it is excrutiating. Today, eating carrots, I could feel the pain. Last night was the pain like a throbbing toothache. I'm crossing my fingers that maybe it won't get worse... but I have a feeling it's just getting started. *sigh*
My Neurologist can't get me in until next Wednesday. They said if the pain becomes intolerable just to go into an acute care clinic... but the walk-in places never seem to want to deal with pain management and just want to send me to the neurologist. I guess we'll see how long I can last.