Tegretol anyone????i hate meds

[Deleted member 541]

I was just put on this for Meralgia Paraesthetica (pinched nerve in my hip) and was wondering if anyone has taken this or is on it? I have such a hard time with meds that cause side effects. I tried gabapentin but couldn't take that, so Neurologist it me on this.

I hate meds, but the pain is now unbearable....

 

[provencepearl]

I was just put on this for Meralgia Paraesthetica (pinched nerve in my hip) and was wondering if anyone h...

I don't know anything about your condition. If it is pain management you are seeking there are some things that help.

First, take your mind off it. I know it is hard, but you need to find something else to occupy your mind. Take up a hobby, read, watch a movie. Try ice packs and heat packs. Use essential oils.

When you allow your mind to dwell on it, it becomes worse. You are allowing the pain to live "rent free" in your brain. Throw it out!! Take control.

Many drug addicts start by using prescription pain killers. Then they get addicted.

Research for treatments for the condition and work on the cause of the problem.

I have been very fortunate to have very good health other than the ptsd/apd whatever problems were caused initially by car accident, then abuse by physician and T, then abuse by legal system.

I wish you well and hope the situation improves quickly.

 

[EveHarrington]

I don't know anything about your condition. If it is pain management you are seeking there are s...

Tegretol is not a med that one typically becomes addicted to. It is an anticonvulsant that is used for seizures, nerve pain, and mental disorders. There are a number of meds that are used to treat pain that aren't addictive pain meds. Anticonvulsants and antidepressants are two such categories of meds used to treat pain, but they aren't addictive like pain meds in the news that are responsible for the high number of addictions and the opiod epidemic.

 

[provencepearl]

Tegretol is not a med that one typically becomes addicted to. It is an anticonvulsant that is use...

I strongly disagree with you on the antidepressants and addiction. It is a matter of terminology and the drug companies don't want the drugs to be considered addictive, but they are. That is why it is so important to taper off them. Quitting all of a sudden can cause a lot of problems. They have a lot of very serious side effects. And studies have shown they are no more effective than a placebo.

Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, and experiences differ. But it is important to do one's own research and not just blindly believe what big corporations tell us.

 

[EveHarrington]

I strongly disagree with you on the antidepressants and addiction. It is a matter of terminology...

You're confusing dependence with addiction.

HUUUUUGE difference.

Also, stating that anticonvulsants and antidepressants are in the same realm of addiction as scheduled opioids? This is misinformation and I hope that you can educate yourself as to the differences between these types of meds.

I won't discuss this any further here as its not the topic of the thread. I just didn't want the OP being scared into believing she's on an addictive drug.

Needing to taper off a medication is not the determining factor as to whether or not it's "addictive". There are many non-addictive drugs that must be tapered off of over time. It's a matter of not throwing the body into an unstable state.

 

[ladee]

I've not taken Tegretol, so don't know... are you having any problems , more than usual so far with this med... has it helped at all so far?

 

[Deleted member 541]

@provencepearl UMMMMMM. It's been 6 months, 24/7 with pain from a pinched nerve that I got from a fall that caused a concussion, detached viterous, damaged muscles around my eye, and a screwed up back.

I've tried a chiropractor for a month and the physiotherapist 2 times a week for 3 months. I was given 25 muscle relaxers and nothing else. I've taken every med there is over the counter and nothing has helped. At 64 yrs old I'm tired of the f*cking pain, and NEED /WANT relief,

I think I've done my share of ignoring it, focusing on other things, ice, heat, massage, rolling on tennis balls, stretching, and exercises.

@ladee I've only had 3 pills so far as the drug stores were having a hard time getting this drug. It's apparently an older drug and I'm assuming they don't use it a lot anymore, so it's hard to get. Anyways, so far, the only thing I've noticed, is I'm a bit tired, but so far(knock on wood) NO side effects. I'm praying I don't get any either, cause Neurologist said the next thing is an injection into the hip... OUCH!!!!!!

 

[ladee]

Well, give it some time She Cat, I hadn't heard of Tegretol in a long time... but maybe with all your side effects to other meds they are going with something older..... I know it worked for my friend....
Sure hope you don't have to have that shot in the hip.... that might feel worse than the pain you are dealing with... but O MG they gave you something??? I am so impressed I dont know what to say... so here is hoping you get some relief and no side effects... about time you got a break somewhere.... keep me updated.... gentle hugs for your old broken down self !!!

 

[lostforgottensoul]

First, take your mind off it.

Oh if I had a penny for every time I heard this line! When you are in severe chronic pain, there is no "taking your mind off of it"! You are in so much pain that you would literally take a saw and cut that part off of your body. There is zero you can do to take your mind off of it!

Many drug addicts start by using prescription pain killers. Then they get addicted

Yep, they do. And many chronic pain sufferers are denied help because of this as well.

I have a Medtronics drug infusion system placed inside of my right side delivering, dripping, morphine directly into my lower spine so that I can, at least, walk...for now. I am dependant on an opioid. It is impossible not to be. However, I have been on opioids since my accident in '09 and have yet to abuse them or get high on them. I have a bottle of morphine sulfate still from before the pump implant Nov 11th 2015 and I have only taken one a few times. I do not crave it nor do I care to take any unless I am in such horrible pain that isn't helped by my pump alone (with a device that gives me extra medication called a bolgus).

@She Cat, gabapentin is an anti sezuire med and it is prescribed for nerve pain so I am imagine it helps the same. I haven't been on it though. Sorry.

Why couldn't you take gabapentin? It's what helps my nerve pain. The only thing that helps. Lyrica is the only thing I know of close to gabapentin.

 

[joeylittle]

@She Cat - I checked, and someone I know was on it for awhile. It helped them with their nerve pain; that's about all I got.

Reading the drug info, a few things popped for me - hopefully they told you this stuff already.

- it's good to get baseline bloods done before starting, and to be re-checked periodically. Some people develop anaemia or other blood/liver issues.

- take with food. That's generally around 300 cal.

- it's one of the 'no grapefruit' drugs.

- if you develop a rash, ER immediately. It's serious. This will only be of concern when first starting the drug.

- increased suicidal thoughts should be watched for.

- drink plenty of water

- look for unexpected bruising.

The mechanism of action is unique and unknown. The good news there is, it won't be like any drug you've ever tried.

Do not discontinue abruptly.

Hope some of this helps.

 

[Deleted member 541]

@lostforgottensoul I tried Gabapentin (for something) can't remember, I have C.R.A.F.T ( can't remember a f*cking thing). That's much different from and worse than C.R.S. (Can't remember shit) LOL!!!!! I've taken so many different drugs over the yrs for one condition or another that now the whole drug thing blurs. But, the Gabapentin caused severe dizziness for me, so I had to stop taking it.

Yes, I too get sick of hearing, "just deal with it, ignoring it helps" bullshit, it tends to make you go more nuts than you are after awhile.....

@joeylittle Thanks for the info... I hope this drug works..... even though I hate meds.

 

[Deleted member 541]

So far things seem ok, except for the f*cking itching..... I itch so bad for hours after taking my first dose in the morning that I've almost dug the skin off my chest. By late afternoon it calms down and the I have to take the nighttime pill..... last night I wanted to dig my head till I thought I'd go nuts!!! Ok, so nuttier than usual....

The itching needs to f*cking stop!!!!!!!!!!!!!!