Posted by medlib on April 23, 2002, at 1:51:00
In reply to Re: Info on oxcarbazepine - Thanks! » medlib, posted by 2sense on April 20, 2002, at 17:15:10
Hi 2sense--
My son has been on Tegretol since he was 14, when he experienced his first grand mal seizure. He's been taking 1200mg. (300mg. 4x/d) for many years with no major problems. He's had no sexual dysfunction, but weight gain is a continuing struggle. It's not the inevitability that it is on Paxil or Zyprexa; it *is* controllable by exercise, but vigilance is necessary to avoid the insidious creep upward. For him, the worst side effects are serious difficulties with short-term memory and overall alertness. He gives a whole new meaning to the term "absent minded," and it frustrates him as much as those he deals with. It's my impression that the side effects are pretty much dose-dependent. Other meds have not been as effective for him, so he's had to adjust to the one that works. And he's done that well; he completed his B.S. and Masters with 4.0s, has a good job he likes, is happily married and just presented me with my first grandchild! Best of all, he didn't inherit my Aspergers or double depression.
The minimum therapeutic dose of Tegretol for epilepsy in adults generally is considered to be 800mg/day (or used to be). I believe very strongly that epilepsy should be managed by a neurologist who specializes in it--an epileptologist. Your seizure sounds like it could be a one-time event; not all docs prescribe ACs after a single seizure (particulary a "situational" one). But, if you *do* need to go on an AC, the need for meds probably should be reevaluated in 6 mo-1 yr. I urge you to consider getting a second opinion from the best epileptologist you can find before starting (or continuing) an AC.
Hope things go well, and please keep us updated!---medlib
poster:medlib
thread:41526
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020416/msgs/103877.html