MyTherapy Discussion Forums - Would You Recommend Carbamazepine (Tegretol)

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Bipolar Disorder: Specific Discussion: Medication

Carbamazepine (Epitol, Tegretol)

Would You Recommend Carbamazepine (Tegretol)

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Administrator
Administrator

14912 Posts
Gratitude: 593
Very caring Very wise I agree

Posted - 11/15/2007 : 22:16:21

Dear Members,

If you have been treated with carbamazepine (Tegretol, Epitol) for your Bipolar I Disorder, on the basis of your experience:

Would you recommend carbamazepine to other members for the treatment of their depressive episodes of Bipolar I Disorder?

Would you recommend carbamazepine to other members for the treatment of their manic episodes of Bipolar I Disorder?

How much did one month's supply of carbamazepine cost?

Before you write your review, please use the Yes-No-Unsure buttons on the bottom of this post to indicate if you would recommend carbamazepine to other members.

Phil Long M.D.
Administrator

aquamarine
Amazing Member (1000+ posts)

1238 Posts
Gratitude: 300
Very caring

Posted - 12/28/2007 : 14:17:15

I have tried more than 30 different medications for my Major Depressive Disorder. My Mood disorder has a bipolar component to it in that I cycle, sometimes very rapidly between severe depression and euphoria that does not quite fit the criteria for BP disorder.

I've tried all kinds of mood stabilizers (Lithium, Epival, Gabapentin, Lamotrigine) and antipsychotics (Seroquel, Risperdal, Olanzipine) to stabilize my mood, but every one had awful side effects (except Lithium) and did not work.

Lithium had few side effects but didn't work so my pdoc put me on Carbamazepine (Tegretol). I had heard so many negative stories about this med....but I have had ZERO side effects.

Tegretol has helped me sleep for the first time in years, I feel refreshed in the morning...not groggy like the other meds made me. Even if I wake in the middle of the night I don't feel groggy, but I fall right back asleep. It took a couple months at my therapeutic dose (800mg) to see any results, but slowly my mood became more stable. I stopped being so labile. I was still severely depressed though and added prozac to my tegretol and overall am beginning to feel better. I still have some trouble with depression...but it is better than it was.

I LOVE TEGRETOL. For the first time in 6.5 years I feel am beginning to feel better and with no side effects.
...aqua

mergirl
Full Member (100+ posts)

142 Posts
Gratitude: 64

Posted - 02/24/2008 : 21:06:41

I think Tegretol (I use the extended release) is a great drug. It has given me stability and peace (finally) where Lithium, Depakote, and many other drugs failed.

I suffer from Bipolar 1 with mixed states. The Tegretol doesn't treat the depression (I take Lexapro for that), but it keeps me on an even keel without making me feel flat or ill. I actually have no side effects. Perhaps some headache in the beginning, but that dissipated very soon. Coupled with Geodon, the Tegretol has allowed absolutely no breakthrough mania in the 3 years I've taken it.

In 10 years I've taken 22 medications in more combinations than you could shake a stick at. I was really ready to give up on pharmacologic treatments (any and all treatment, really) until we tried this. It's a Godsend.

warblaster
Super Incredible Member (10000+ posts)