Intro and question about meds

[josrulz_2010]

Hi all,
I'm new here. I hope you don't mind me dropping in and just asking a question out of the blue.

My seizure disorder is generally well-controlled by medication. It's been 4 years almost for me, and it was 6 years before that between seizures. I've been on Tegretol XR for a very long time. However, I decided to make the switch to Carbatrol for a couple of reasons. 1) because I had read it results smoother levels, and 2) because we have an old boat, and the toilet or "head" (boat term) doesn't like anything solid like the tegetrol XR pills going through it.

I've been on the Carbatrol for a couple of days, and I'm feeling a little light-headed, some tingling in the face--stuff like that. I don't really feel like I'm about to have a seizure--that usually causes severe confusion for me, and I wouldn't be able to type this message.

Anyway, I'm wondering if perhaps the Carbatrol release is resulting in a higher blood level for me. I believe the affects I'm feeling are similar to dosage being too high. Does this sound like it might be the case? Should I have never switched?

FYI, I had previously switched from Dilantin to Tegretol, then from Tegretol to the XR version without any problems whatsoever.

Thanks for your help!
-J

[Nakamova]

Hey josrulz, welcome!

Ordinarily, if it ain't broke don't fix it, since changing meds is a bit of an unknown for the system. Every med is absorbed slightly differently into the body, has a different half-life, and uses a different mechanism for seizure control. It's probably a bit too soon to tell if what you're feeling with the Carbatrol is going to fade or hang around, but if you're worried that you're on too high a dose, call your doc and see if you can back off a bit.

Best,
Nakamova

[josrulz_2010]

Thanks Nakamova. Yeah, I know what you mean about "if it ain't broke." And I also agree it's too early to tell. My doctor's office and I have been trading voice mails today. They didn't seem immediately concerned about seizures, but did feel that we should get my level checked soon.

I'll let you know what happens.
Thanks!
-J