Comments on: Bipolar Disorder Medication Spotlight: Tegretol (Carbamazepine)

By: Stevie

Stevie — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 17:26:08 +0000

I am a 24 year old man and ive been taking tegretol for over a year now. I have no problems with the side effects, I dont experience any at all, as far as i know the stuff is working. I was diagnosed with a psychotic disorder about a year and a half ago. I serve in the US Army and am currently deployed.

By: Lu

Lu — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 14:24:27 +0000

Jennifer, isnt zoloft an anti depressant? Anti depressants on bipolar people make them psychotic. I had to quit celexa because i was having crazy psychotic episodes on it. Do some research then talk to your doctor just in case

By: Jesse

Jesse — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 20:21:00 +0000

Just started Tegretol after being on Lithium for 13 years. I went through 17 ECT sessions about 10 years ago. I have been off Lithium for 6 months and things got bad (mixed) again. I decided to try Tegretol, but I’m very nervous. Today is day 2. 200mg in a.m &200mg @night. My Dr. wants me to increase to 400mg @night by Monday.

By: Annelise

Annelise — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 04:05:35 +0000

I started Tegretol for bipolar disorder as well as a seizure problem about two weeks ago, and I was wondering if these terrible side effects go away. I fall asleep in class all the time (which is completely unlike me), I’m oddly less and more irritable than before, I keep having these strange panic attacks that are completely different from my usual anxiety attacks, involuntary eye movements, and this terrible sense of doom. My trichotillomania has gotten significantly worse, as well, but my doctor keeps telling me to wait it out a little longer. I feel rather hopeless at this point as to what I should do, I am a minor and I don’t feel as though I have as many rights. Will the symptoms lessen over time?

By: Jess

Jess — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 02:34:45 +0000

I am 23 and just started taking tegretol for my bi polar disorder. I take it twice a day with wellbutrin for my ADHD. It’s been 3 weeks and I haven’t had the pleasure of feeling the positive side effects, but I definitely feel the negative side effects. I’ve had headaches, confusion, and dull mood. I can’t think straight, especially when I’m trying to find something, it’s right in front of me and I don’t see it. I also can’t hear too well. I was taking zyprexa for two weeks and it made me bloated, and I had my period twice in two weeks. I’m having high hopes with the tegretol, but I’ve noticed while I’m trying to sleep my face twitches, and I’ve had weird dreams… Waking up is always a weird snap… Like someone is pushing my face and I get scared. Weird… But I’ve never felt this way until I started the meds.

By: Jelly Bean

Jelly Bean — Sun, 18 Sep 2011 12:55:40 +0000

Well i have been on Carbamazepine for the past 7 years and it has saved my life really. I have always been on 800mg. (400 twice a day. My body wont tolerate any more despite them trying! A year ago i had a relapse after 3 years of being well. I have not taken 800mg for about 2 years. I have only been taking 400mg at night because, sounds stupid, but i just cant be bothered. I hate taking tablets. I also take Mirtazapine and Agomelatine (anti depressants). I take those properly. I think it’s just because i take all the rest at night and so don’t bother with my morning one. I don’t want to take any of my meds anymore i am fed up with it all and want to feel normal again. I hate bi-polar disorder and the medication and doctors i just want peace.

By: jen

jen — Sat, 06 Aug 2011 00:24:11 +0000

Me i was on lithum and buspar around 16yrs or 17yrs of age. when i turned 18yrs i stopped taking those meds. I blimped up from 160 to nearly 240 while on those meds. and i have not lost the wieght since.

I was recently admited (court-ordered) for a pysch stay at the regional hospital. where i stayed for 9 days.

They put me on Tegertol 400 mg a day ( 200mg in the morning, 200mg at bedtime). Celexa 40 MG once daily in the morning. and Trazadone 150 mg a day at bedtime.

The stuff keeps me drowsy and i guess you could say zombine/sedated mode all day. but it has stopped my racing thoughts. It makes me want to sleep alot, it makes me semi incoherent ? ? I know whats going on around me but im not really paying attention to it.

Its been 15 days that ive been on this combo from not being on anything at all. I am being treated for bipolar I , thats what i was told i had as a kid but at that time they called it manic-depressive.

I dont like being a zombie and im not sure if ill be able to return to work like this. but on the other hand unmedicated jobs dont last long for me either….

there seems to be no happy balance.

By: Joanne

Joanne — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 10:55:54 +0000

I have used carbamazepine since I was diagnosed with bipolar, and I don’t really think it is all that (but I was told my only other option was lithium and I am not down with the weight gain!). Unfortunately, it really does have much more of an effect on my mania, the only bit of bipolar I personally like. I still get some bad episodes of depression, and unfortunately I don’t really think this medication is worth it! Only sticking to it so I can (hopefully) keep my job!

By: Angel

Angel — Sun, 10 Jul 2011 06:37:50 +0000

I take tegretol for my mixed bipolar and so far so good. It helps me so much. I have amazingly had no side effects from it. It is a relief after trying so many medicines that I had reactions to. Thank you so very much to who ever created this medicine. You have no idea how much it means to me. I can actually interact with my day with out becoming depressed or pissed at the littlest things. THANK YOU!

By: ky g

ky g — Thu, 26 May 2011 07:05:20 +0000

Tegratol_Anger Issues with son mention in post when he stopped taking it. Certinaly, from personal experience with self and son, anger issues arise when you stop the drug. Your body has become accustomed to using it to regulate these moods and your brain learns a patterened response. Take that drug away and the learning process must start from scratch again for those responces and stimuli that causes it. I can say this with 99.9 accuracy/conviction. (I haev a son who has TS, ADHD,, mild Asie, ..but also a teen.)
As far as my tegratol use and making me off balance or dizzy..i have been sober nearly 14 yrs and a good frnd asked me if i was drunk…i have had to simply quarter my doses thru out the day. This ceased all those reactions and Teg. has been quite effective w/my anxiety/anger, etc. More so than any xanex ever prescribed, mild barb, depokote, lithium etc.
I have had no weight gain, my blood tolerates it well. I HAVE HAD easy bruising from time to time.
I will also say that when i am heavy into my depressed im-mobile side, i cease Teg temporarily so that i dont drag down. Yes, i regulate myself. Been here long enough to try to see clearly and i have a grt support system in place that supplies feedback and notices my moods. I am not a doctor but i have earned my merit badge for cylical disorders and PTSD. I have survied those demon attacks and wear my sash like a girl scout. peace~