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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by danibell25 on May 29, 2002, at 22:15:30
The doctor just put me on 200mg of Tegretol once a day. I've never been on this before. If anyone can help me with any advice or anything I'd appreciate it. Also it said not to eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice while taking it. Does anyone know why? Thanks.
Posted by Kar on May 30, 2002, at 16:08:44
In reply to Tegretol, posted by danibell25 on May 29, 2002, at 22:15:30
Danibell25-don't know how much I can help you with advice per se. I'm 32 and have been on Tegretol for like 16 years. I take 1000mg/day. It controlled the manic episodes quickly and permanently (well, as long as i take it that is...). My main prob for most of the time since I was dx'ed bi-polar has been the depression. It hasn't helped with that. Not really known to do that anyway, tho. Hard for me to tell what side effects can be attributed directly to it...except for sleepiness. I've had some memory loss over the years but who knows what that's from- I've been on a lot! Dunno about grapefruit, but there was a thread on this board about grapefruit and drugs in general not long ago...you might try searching for it. I eat it- not daily...no probs.
Don't know if you're a woman, but Tegretol decreases the effectiveness of birth control pills...
Hope this helps a little...
Kar
Posted by 2sense on May 31, 2002, at 5:18:17
In reply to Re: Tegretol » danibell25, posted by Kar on May 30, 2002, at 16:08:44
I have been on Tegretol (actually the generic Carbamapezine) now up to 600 mg since 4/19. I was put on it for a grand mal seizure because I went cold turkey off of Clonazepam (Klonopin) because the psych doc (over the phone -- can't see me until SEPT) said he wouldn't take me off the Clonazepam unless I went on Depakote. I have body image problems and know about the weight gain on the Deparkote. To make matters worse the EEG and MRI were not "normal" but this neurologist just threw me on this Tegretol and after I tried to ask him some questions and got blowen off I decided to go to a different neuro -- problem is that won't be until mid-June. In being on the Tegretol (600 mg three times a day) and still the Klonopin (4 mg. at night before bed -- have slowly gotten to that latter dose over 1 1 /2 years nightly -- put on it by psych doc for insomnia) -- since 4/19 I have gained nearly 20 lbs. I have a thyroid disorder and the tegretol screws up the thyroid labs and the thyroid is out of whack, the Wellbutrin's effects are also negated by the Tegretol -- but I don't have any doctor other than the psych doc who won't do anything but up the Wellbutrin (how at 500 mgs a day -- and that in and of itself with anorexia can cause seizures) and have no neuro and my "regular" doctor is ignoring the rapid weight gain (10 lbs overnight is NOT normal -- the PDR is pretty straight forward about it). Plus tegretol in addition to it being a anticonvulsant is an ANTI-diuretic -- I can't even get my wedding bands on and was at the hospital Wed. for something completely different and the nurses noticed the puffiness in addition to the high blood pressure (I usually have 107/70 maximum and since tegretol it is like 140/110 or variations thereof). There has been no mood stabilization on either the Klonopin and/or the Tegretol -- at least not for me -- and I am frustrated because I really have no neuro to go to and the pscych doc believes what he believes and will do nothing about the anticonvulsant/mood stabilizer (he is thrilled I am on it and was all for putting me on Topamax though the eating disorder therapist said -- stay away from it).
I also have some cognitive impairment -- not a whole lot -- but in writing this post I cannot remember all the side effects (though I have listed the major ones) I have experienced in a very short time). Any information would be appreciated.
Just my 2sense (<-- why too cutesy sorry -- Sue)
Posted by 2sense on May 31, 2002, at 5:21:00
In reply to Tegretol, posted by danibell25 on May 29, 2002, at 22:15:30
Just remembered this, sorry -- the tegretol causes (can cause) depression and cannot be taken, so I have read and am told, with the 'generic' tricyclics -- it also negates Wellbutrin which I have been on. I won't keep doing this -- I have to get the kids out the door for school anyway.
Sue
Posted by Kar on May 31, 2002, at 8:47:38
In reply to Re: Tegretol » Kar, posted by 2sense on May 31, 2002, at 5:18:17
Hey DB- really sorry to hear about all you're going through...I don't know anything about seizures so I really can't be of any help there.
Not sure what you mean about the Teg screwing up the Thyroid lab results...I've had thyroid probs ever since I was on Lithium and haven't had any probs since I've been on the Synthroid. Do you mean that you heard that the Teg masks something in the thyroid levels?
Good God- 20 lbs; you poor thing! I mean it; I can relate. And as if it weren't bad enough already...but that sounds more like the thyroid's fault than the Teg.
Wellbutrin is a fairly wussy AD. Could they try something else? Cheesh if the Teg is causing so many problems i don't understand why you shouldn't just be getting off of it. Obviously the thyroid really has to be stabilized too tho. Why isn't the pdoc addressing this? Have you considered a new doc? Or if he's so set on Teg, why not Trileptal which is a close cousin to Teg but with reportedly fewer side effects. And the water weight gain- a diuretic for now?
God, i really don't know but it doesn't sound like your pdoc is on top of things. You need your life back, ya know?
Sorry couldn't be of much help. Just my personal experience with the Teg...yours could be different...
Take care,
Karen
Posted by Kar on May 31, 2002, at 9:01:28
In reply to Re: Tegretol » danibell25, posted by Kar on May 30, 2002, at 16:08:44
Sorry DB, I had thought I was responding to what you wrote but I see now that it was 2sense who wrote it...
Karen
Posted by 2sense on May 31, 2002, at 14:57:22
In reply to Re: Tegretol, posted by Kar on May 31, 2002, at 8:47:38
Thank you for such kindness. My husband is the bi-polar treated by the same doc and the psych doc is NOT on top of things -- but with 3 kids, a heart problem and waiting on 2 appointments with neurologists (one who specializes in epilepsy and one in strokes) w/in the next 2 weeks -- the psych doc has me on Klonopin (1 1/2 years now -- upped it to 4 mg in the Fall believes I am the manic) and has me on the Wellbutrin SR (which he upped since the Tegretol negates it) -- the doc that is doing the Tegretol is a neurologist who specializes in MS (he believes I have a mild case based on an MRI with one or two under 2 cm lesions that aren't where MS lesions usually are -- he put me on the Tegretol (and isn't seeing me until August -- but I am not seeing him again -- he really does the in and out you are just a number if that -- and he won't do other testing just wants me to start daily injections of Compaxone in August) -- hence I am going to other neurologist (but the good docs you have to wait for)and I really do not want to contact him and the psych doc won't change the Tegretol script since he is not the doc who gave it to me (and he can't see me until September !); the PDR is indicating I am having albeit mild, an allergic reaction to it. I am going to get another psych doc, but it is the end of the school year, I went Wednesday to have a heart catheterization/ablation for tachycardia episodes I have - but the electrophysiologist couldn't even after 2 1/2 hours recreate the arrhythmias that I get -- and since I could have MS and need MRIs in the future he didn't want to chance burning off to much of the A node and my needing a pacemaker and then I couldn't have anymore MRIs.
I do need my life back in more ways than one. The eating disorder (I am anorexic -- I have had 4 bouts, none requiring hospitalization -- it is a coping mechanism -- a lot having to do with living with someone who is either emotionally and/or verbally abusive OR is bi-polar -- he was diagnosed borderline personality disorder years ago -- but his work is his life and don't get in his way -- when he's good -- he's very, very good -- when he's bad... hide under the couch. We have no family here and I have stayed home now 6+ years. My youngest is 6+ years old (I moved here pregnant) and then have a 13-year-old daughter and a 15 1/2 year old son. My parents are de-nilers and my other brothers and sisters ... well I am the point person -- I solve the family problems so it wouldn't make much sense to go to them -- they'll listen but they say -- "I don't know what to tell you." The ED therapist I have seen a year now is at the practice with the psych doc and if I leave him -- I have to give up her -- and she has helped me tremendously. Thanks again for being so kind.
Sue
Posted by Asana on July 14, 2006, at 14:45:13
In reply to Re: Tegretol » Kar, posted by 2sense on May 31, 2002, at 14:57:22
I don't know if this is a repeat post, but I am asking people who've been on tegretol if they've noticed any side effects relating to cognition, the ability to articulate, be creative or dulling of the emotions?
Thanks for any feedback
Posted by shasling on July 15, 2006, at 9:09:59
In reply to Re: Tegretol, posted by Asana on July 14, 2006, at 14:45:13
I have feedback, but it is of questionable value. I''ve been on Tegretol for a long long time, like 20 years. I do have major trouble with all the things you mention, though I can't pin it on the Tegretol necessarily. They also could be due to the depression. I don't think I remember them being any better before the Tegretol though...
Sorry I can't be more definitive.
Posted by zero on July 16, 2006, at 11:54:58
In reply to Re: Tegretol, posted by Asana on July 14, 2006, at 14:45:13
I've been on Tegretol for about 13 yrs., and have found that it can have negative effect on all the things you mention, but it's very *dose dependent*. For me, very bad at 800mg., minimal at 400mg. ( which is my "sweet spot" dose-wise, where I get mood stabilization and anxiolytic benefits, with barely noticeable cognitive side effects).
Best,
zero> I don't know if this is a repeat post, but I am asking people who've been on tegretol if they've noticed any side effects relating to cognition, the ability to articulate, be creative or dulling of the emotions?
> Thanks for any feedback
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