Suffering extreme depression on Tegretol for TN
Posted , 3 users are following.
Suffering extreme depression on Tegretol for TN. The last discussion was closed. Anyone have this experience? Does it go away? Have only been at full dose (400 mg. daily) for a week, now. 2 100 mg. bid, that is. Also, of course, extremely sedated. Does this also go away, and about how long does it take? I feel as though I cannot function this way; but on the other hand, this dosage does control the TN pain. Thx.
0 likes, 4 replies
Bean926 linette61034
Posted
Linette, glad you asked, because I can share a little hope. I experienced very similar symptoms taking Tegretol for my TN treatment. Although the pain was controlled, it wasn't worth it, as I was non-functional. Ask your doc about Trileptal (similar to Tegretol but not as severe side effects, and cheaper to boot). I also was able to have the Cyberknife treatment, which more or less eliminated the pain.
Wishing you the best! Here for you!
linette61034
Posted
Hi, Bean,
Thank you for your reply. Yes, I plan to ask about Trileptal... but suddenly, I feel pretty well on the Tegretol, too. The side effects seem to wax and wane now, and the pain is controlled. So, we'll see. If it gets worse, it's nice to know about the surgery, too.
So I don't get it; I was a mess yesterday, and now, OK. I have only been on full dosage for a week; hoping my body just needs to get used to it.
Linette
doug13 linette61034
Posted
Good the hear the 400 mg is helping with the pain. I am on 600mg with similar depression and vertigo but am still hoping for a remission from TN. MY family and faith plus an amazing wife help to keep me going.
Fortunately I am retired.
Hang in there and keep seeking help from other professionals. I now go to the local pain clinic for better advice from their neurologist.
HOPEFULLY you will have fewer bad days and get used to the meds.
I have left sided TN for 2 years.
Regards
Doug
linette61034
Posted
Hi, Doug... sorry for delay; I had to take care of something last night, and then suffered yet ANOTHER ATTACK! My entire jaw hurts, but yes, the Tegretol is a miracle drug; I am feeling more severe pressure than outright pain. I thought all my pain had gone away... then, this! I also have a broken tooth in my lower jaw (which I believe is exacerbating everything), but they don't want to take it out just yet, as they want to get this TN under control-- and it's not infected.Sometimes the pain seems to originate from there, and other times, from my upper jaw. It's very strange.
**
So I was going to lower the dose... but now, with this recent attack, I think not. I'll just have to suffer thru. Mine is on my right side, and yes, I am retired, too.
BTW, does anyone know why they say to take Tegretol w/ food? I imagine it's to guard against stomach upset, but I've taken it w/o food, and it seems to work just fine. How important is this? I normally can't get food into myself at first (often in too much pain to eat, or it's when I first get up and haven't had time to prepare it, yet)... does this affect the way the drug works? So it's more like I take the capsules, then there is a 20 min. delay until I eat. Does this hurt anything? Thx.