I hope someone can give me some information about how they switched from Tegretol or Carbamazepine to another drug. Here’s my story: have been taking Carbamazepine long lasting for 18 years, 800 MG per day and am seizure free, however I’ve been in a fog and my memory and energy level are shot. I’m 41 years old. A few years ago the doctor switched me to Valproic Acid. The fog disappeared and I had more energy but after a couple of weeks without Tegretol I had a petite mal seizure. I got scared and went back to Tegretol. I think the switch over was a two week span. I had the shakes coming off Tegretol and I’m wondering if the switch was too fast. One part of me is thankful I’m seizure free but the other part longs to have my brain back. I’ve done some reading and Topamax sounds interesting, I would like to give it a try. My questions are:

How does the doctor make the switch from one drug to another?
How long does the switch over take?
Is it common to have a seizure during the switch – if so how/when do you know the new drug works?

Thanks for sticking with me though this long post.

My only major problem was being an emotional wreck- stupid things were major ordeals, then I'd bawl because I knew I was overreacting, stuff like that- I was on other meds, so the seizures weren't effected at that time. Mostly it was just not reacting to things like I normally do.

Thanks for your input. Now that you mention it I too was like that. How long and how was the switch made?

Topomax is a wonderful drug but it is expensive. I was switched from Depakote to Topomax without problem, if you do it slow enough. It takes some time so don't get anxious and follow what your doctor tells you to do and DO NOT mess with this or it could be disasterous. Good Luck to you, I think you'll enjoy Topomax I do.

The tapering off of the tegretol probably lasted 2 weeks, but it was done slowly on purpose. I'm back on it now (after about 4-5 years without it), and was on Neurontin and Klonopin, along with meds for other things). It wasnt' pleasant gettng off of it, but I lived through it.