Kramer_DU
12-09-2004, 12:30 AM
Ok so I've been Tegretol for about 10 years now, I started it when I was 13. Well lately I've been noticing that I just don't have any motivation or energy to do anything anymore. I'll tell my self that I should go do something, but I just don't have the energy to do it. I've been told that tegreol is a downer. Is tis true? If it is, I need to find something new, cause I'm tired of sitting around doing nothing. And at work, I'm just pooped all day. I go to see the Neuro. in Jan. I'll have to tell him about this. But does anyone else taking tegretol feel like this?
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Mel in Ga
12-11-2004, 01:00 AM
I have also been on Tegretol and now carbatrol for years. I have alot of problems with lack of energy and sleepiness. I usually can't get through the day without needing a nap and this is after sleeping 8 hrs every night.
Mel
Mel
kayakmom
12-11-2004, 12:48 PM
You can see if the neuro can switch you to trileptal. It is in the Tegretol family and is supposed to be less sedating....I hope the appointment in January is a huge help for you!
Phoebe
12-12-2004, 05:01 PM
I was on Tegretol for much longer than 10 years and I did experience times when I had little motivation. I attribute it to the depressioon that can occur on Tegretol as well as due to the epilepsy itself rather than being a physical lack of energy. Tegretol is not a downer if the same sense of the word as other meds are definitely downers. I would term Phenobarb and all of it's derivatives to be of this category only because it is very sedating. Tegretol was not sedating for me, but it did cause a decrease in my cognitive ability and memory. That itself can make you feel slowed down etc. This may be what you are experiencing. I do not feel the side effects I mentioned with their negative effect on the qualiy of my life were worth the little help Tegretol provided. It did not stop my seizures and the great dose made things worse. If Tegretol has no stopped your seizures you may want to consider other options or another AED. I take Keppra now and had surgery 6 years ao. Best decision I ever made. I do wish you well. Oh, do you see an Epileptologist or general neuro? Find an Epileptologist at a Comprehensive Epilepsy Center. Remember, above all else, the Quality of life is the issue. Phoebe