I started Tegretol 3 weeks ago and after 5 days of increasing my dose I found relief from my pain. Today I have had some bleed through pain, but it was nothing compared to what I was going through without this drug. So far so good. Published: March 07, 2008 ::

I was on tegretol for 3 weeks for trigeminal neuralgia. It was working very well to relieve the pain. But then I developed a nasty rash, first around my knees, then up my legs, arms, neck and face. Dr. had me stop taking tegretol immediately, saying that the rash could be life-threatening. I was broken-hearted to go off tegretol because it provided the first relief from pain that I'd had in years. I'm on gabapentin now, but it just does not relieve pain well, and I'm gaining weight despite daily exercise and a lowfat diet (7 pounds in 8 weeks.) Published: February 10, 2008 ::

liver function numbers way too high Published: September 25, 2007 ::

I have not experienced any side effects that I know of and I have been on this drug for ten years. Published: October 16, 2007 ::

Tegretol seems to help me identify my depression from periods when I'm manic; this helps because knowing what mode I'm in, I can treat the symptoms of depression like not being too hard on myself, knowing my limitations, accepting them, be kind to myself, make sure that I eat. When I realize that I'm manic, I treat the symptoms by taking a walk to release increased energy & journaling to purge myself of racy thoughts. I still cycle about every 2 weeks, and I have terrible problems with irritablity & anger management. Whether manic or depressed, its all about self-care. Before taking tegretol, I was in a state of constant chaios because I didn't understand what was happening with my mind. I thought I was either going crazy or just being carefree; I couldn't understand why I couldn't keep a job and such. The only side effect I feel I have is fatigue. Tegretol does not do alot to control my manic-deppresive episodes; there are times I feel like I could crawl out of my skin, my head reels, and things seem so surreal or I get so depressed that I don't get out of bed for a couple of days feeling catatonic. Like I stated before, the tegretol does help me identify my mood swings somewhat and that helps. Published: January 06, 2008 ::

I've been on Tegretol for 27 years and the only trouble I had was sensitivity to the hot sun. I was on a sweltering holiday in Tenerife and bloated up-like a blow fish all over my body in 24 hrs with a terrible thirst. After only one anti-histamine I made a full recovery in 12 hrs. Tenerife was very hot that holiday and the average British summer has never caused me any trouble. Now I just take a precautionary anti-histamine should the temp on holiday rise above 85. My GP told me this is a reaction to taking Tegretol. Overall, my Epilepsy is well controlled and I lead a wonderful and full life! Published: October 22, 2007 ::

I'm a 46 yr old bi-polar male who has taken tegretol for mood swings since I was 19 yrs old. The medicine works great with stabilizing my moods and the only problem I have is when I had either ran out of it or stopped taking it and had to go through withdrawls. This medicine took over having to take lithium. Published: January 10, 2008 ::

At this time any relief has been welcomed. Still have break troughs but tolerable for now. Published: February 11, 2008 ::

Tegretol has kept me seizure-free for over 20 years, with no side effects. I just switched to XR a year ago. To the person who posted "I actually passed the pill in my stool after 12 hours for a 24 hr extended release": What you passed in your stool after 12 hours was the shell/casing, not the pill itself. And each pill lasts 12 hours, not 24. That is why you take it twice a day instead of once. Hope this helps someone with the same concerns. :-) Published: January 28, 2008 ::