Discussion:
Carbamazepine - Tegretol For BiPolar Treatment?
(too old to reply)
John T
2006-08-10 22:02:42 UTC
Permalink
I recently had to acquire a different doctor, a general practice
doctor. My previous doctor, of about 3 years, left the GP part of the
health system to do specialty bone work and no longer sees general
patients.

I was diagnosed as BiPolar in 1994, (and there's more to that story..
as I think there always is) My previous doctor wasn't truly treating
my BiPolar disorder with any particular medications, for BiPolar
disorder, as far as I could tell. I was, and am still taking Xanax,
..25mg, 3 times a day or as needed (Normally 2 - 3 a day is what I
take.) I am also taking Klonopin, but, a much lower dose than my
prior doctor originally prescribed for me and with his ok. I take
..5mg before going to bed and it does, normally, help me sleep a little
longer and possibly better. I have learned to deal with my Panic,
BiPolar and Obsessive tendencies over the years. I am sure I could
be better, but, I know I was much, much worse back in 1994 and I sure
don't want to go back there!

At my first appointment with the new doctor, he spent about 1/2 hour
with me, just basically discussing the BiPolar matter and decided I
should stay with the meds I was currently taking, but, also added
200mg of Carbamazepine or Tegretol to my medications. I have been
checking the web and have found that Tegretol is used to treat BiPolar
in some cases, but, I have found virtually nothing in any of the news
groups from actual individuals using Tegretol for BiPolar. I would
like to know if any of you out there are using it and maybe hear some
of the pros and cons or any other comments about this medication. I
am extremely skeptical about taking any new drugs. I have not started
the Tegretol yet and I will not until I learn some more about it.

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Any medications that are
working for others out there would be of interest, too. I obviously
realize that no one medication is going to be right to treat everyone
:) But, other treatments are always interesting and may be helpful.

Thanks,

John T
Kelli
2006-08-12 22:33:24 UTC
Permalink
Post by John T
I recently had to acquire a different doctor, a general practice
doctor. My previous doctor, of about 3 years, left the GP part of the
health system to do specialty bone work and no longer sees general
patients.
I was diagnosed as BiPolar in 1994, (and there's more to that story..
as I think there always is) My previous doctor wasn't truly treating
my BiPolar disorder with any particular medications, for BiPolar
disorder, as far as I could tell. I was, and am still taking Xanax,
..25mg, 3 times a day or as needed (Normally 2 - 3 a day is what I
take.) I am also taking Klonopin, but, a much lower dose than my
prior doctor originally prescribed for me and with his ok. I take
..5mg before going to bed and it does, normally, help me sleep a little
longer and possibly better. I have learned to deal with my Panic,
BiPolar and Obsessive tendencies over the years. I am sure I could
be better, but, I know I was much, much worse back in 1994 and I sure
don't want to go back there!
At my first appointment with the new doctor, he spent about 1/2 hour
with me, just basically discussing the BiPolar matter and decided I
should stay with the meds I was currently taking, but, also added
200mg of Carbamazepine or Tegretol to my medications. I have been
checking the web and have found that Tegretol is used to treat BiPolar
in some cases, but, I have found virtually nothing in any of the news
groups from actual individuals using Tegretol for BiPolar. I would
like to know if any of you out there are using it and maybe hear some
of the pros and cons or any other comments about this medication. I
am extremely skeptical about taking any new drugs. I have not started
the Tegretol yet and I will not until I learn some more about it.
Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Any medications that are
working for others out there would be of interest, too. I obviously
realize that no one medication is going to be right to treat everyone
:) But, other treatments are always interesting and may be helpful.
Thanks,
John T
Hi, I'm new here, but I wanted to respond to your post anyway. Tegretol
is in the same class of medications as Depakote, Lamictal, and
Trileptal. They're all, technically, antiepileptic medications, but
they have been at least moderately effective in moderating the mood
swings of bipolar disorder. I don't take Tegretol, but that's the plan
if I should ever develop the rash from he!! from the Lamictal. I
currently take Geodon 80 mg q.a.m and 160 mg q.p.m., Lamictal 150 mg
b.i.d., Cymbalta 60 mg q.a.m., Adderall XR 60 mg q.a.m., as well as
Altace 5 mg q.a.m. for my hypertension. I wish I could help you more
regarding your quandary of taking the Tegretol at all. If you haven't
yet, go to www.rxlist.com and plug Tegretol into the search bar. When
Tegretol comes up, click on the generic name, and you can read the full
prescribing information for this medication. Maybe that will help you
make up your mind.

Kelli

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