Posted by Chloe on April 9, 2002, at 20:03:32
In reply to TEGRETOL questions!, posted by HMK on April 9, 2002, at 13:10:46
> I'm taking Effexor, Geodon, Valium, and Neurontin. I'm bipolar II and need to add another mood stabilizer. I'm hypothyroid so I want to avoid taking lithium and Depakote made me gain too much weight (I'm already 100 lbs overweight the way it is so I simply can't afford to gain more). The only thing left (other than Trileptal which made me sick) is Tegretol.
>
> Could people please share their experiences with Tegretol? Is it effective? How are the side effects?
>
> Your imput is appreciated.
> HeatherHeather,
I was on Tegretol for about a year and a half. It's a very good mood stabilizer, esp. for rapid cyclers, IMHO. But I had a hell of a time with side effects. The dry mouth, constipation, GI problems were uncomfortable and I felt unsteady on my feet alot. So I switched to Trileptal, which unlike you, thought was a breeze in terms of side effects!I would say Tegretol is definitely worth a trial. I would start with the smallest dose which I think is 100 mgs chewables (made for kids with seizures). It took me WEEKS to adjust to this drug. So low and slow would be my suggestion. It's definitely a worthy medication for BP.
Take care
Chloe
poster:Chloe
thread:102523
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020408/msgs/102565.html