Question 1

could the tegretol i'm taking for trigeminal neuralgia be making the pain worse?

Accepted Answer

Unlikely: Tegretol is the only fda approved anti-convulsive drug that has proven to be effective in the treatment of tn.  Upwards of 79% of folks with tn have at least some improvement.  You can become "resistant" to the drug over time, but it is unlikely to increase the pain of tn.

Question 2

what is the best medication for trigeminal neuralgia aside from tegretol?

Accepted Answer

There are a number: Gabapentin and Trileptal are common. Clonazepam, Dilantin and Baclofen are less effective. Some a combination of these meds are used.

Question 3

if carbamazepine isn't working to treat my trigeminal neuralgia, what is a good drug to try next?

Accepted Answer

Varies: Carbamazepine used to be the main agent in treatment of trigeminal neuralgia years ago.  We now have a multitude of anti-neuropathic agents with better side effect profile. To list a few, we have lyrica, (pregabalin) neurontin, topamax, etc.  The choice is based on coexisting medical issues and other medications on which patient is placed.  The physician can make this determination on a case by case basis.

Question 4

i am 48, male. i suffer from trigeminal neuralgia since 2001.600mg tegretol xr /day helps. but pain/frequency worsen during rainy season_ why?

Accepted Answer

Change in temp. ?: Something similar occur with arthritic pains and cold temperature. May be rain changes in the environment loke humidity or even the local tempertaure triggering change in the autonomic or peripheral nervous system.

Question 5

on tegretol xr twice a day, what's the best way to deal with breakthrough or triggered (cold/touch/chewing/wind/etc) pain from trigeminal neuralgia?

Accepted Answer

Depends on dose: Depending upon the dose of carbamazepine you are on it may be possible to increase the dose to avoid painful breakthrough events. Sometimes, a combination of carbamzepine and gabapentin can be helpful to patients. Please speak with your prescribing physician.

Question 6

is there any other medicine besides carbamazepine for trigeminal neuralgia because this medicine is not effective anymore! plz suggest any other med..

Accepted Answer

Neurologist: The med usually works well for that disorder. There are other drugs. Make sure you are being treated by a neurologist.
Also, make sure the diagnosis is right. I've seen patients with cancer misdiagnosed. Consider seeing an ENT doc for another opinion.

Question 7

just diagnosed with trigeminal neuralgia. following the schedule for increasing the tegretol xr per neuro. how can i reduce impact on my job as a mgr?

Accepted Answer

Triennial neuralgia: treament with carbamazepine does not usually require a titration ( yes you will be a bit dizzy for 2 days ) start with 300 twice a day and go up to 400 twice a day as needed.  Do not use brand name Tegretol XR as there are dose failures ( medicine does not pass through tiny hole in capsule ) Use carbitrol instead .  most cannot work until symptoms abate

Question 8

i'm on carbamazepine(300 mg) for the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia can it lead to elevated ggt level?

Accepted Answer

Not conclusive : First of all, a single blood test in isolation do not provide enough information to form any definitive conclusions. A number of tests must be performed to have any meaning. Carbamazepine may cause an elevated GGT level, but also NSAIDs OTC may. Talk to your treating physician to find out what the test could mean for you. Carbamazepine 300mg for TN is a very small dose.

Question 9

can glossopharyngeal neuralgia make bppv worse?

Accepted Answer

It Depends: There are intimate connectivity between  the glossopharyngeal nerve and the vestibular cochlear nerve. Are there any associations between your neuralgia pain and your vertigo? Perhaps keeping a pain and vertigo diary might be useful.

Question 10

just been diagnosed with trigeminal neuralgia, and started on a treatment course, will the pain still get worse over time? will my anxiety decrease?

Accepted Answer

No: trigeminal neuralgia, although it can be very painful, can be treated.  There is no reason it should get worse over time, especially if you find the right treatment.  Once you are no longer in pain, your anxiety might decrease.

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Doctor answers about:

Tegretol neuralgia making pain worse

A member asked:

Could the tegretol i'm taking for trigeminal neuralgia be making the pain worse?

A member asked:

What is the best medication for trigeminal neuralgia aside from tegretol?

A member asked:

If carbamazepine isn't working to treat my trigeminal neuralgia, what is a good drug to try next?

A member asked:

I am 48, male. i suffer from trigeminal neuralgia since 2001.600mg tegretol xr /day helps. but pain/frequency worsen during rainy season_ why?

A member asked:

On tegretol xr twice a day, what's the best way to deal with breakthrough or triggered (cold/touch/chewing/wind/etc) pain from trigeminal neuralgia?

A member asked:

Is there any other medicine besides carbamazepine for trigeminal neuralgia because this medicine is not effective anymore! plz suggest any other med..

A member asked:

Just diagnosed with trigeminal neuralgia. following the schedule for increasing the tegretol xr per neuro. how can i reduce impact on my job as a mgr?

A member asked:

I'm on carbamazepine(300 mg) for the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia can it lead to elevated ggt level?

A member asked:

Can glossopharyngeal neuralgia make bppv worse?

A member asked:

Just been diagnosed with trigeminal neuralgia, and started on a treatment course, will the pain still get worse over time? will my anxiety decrease?

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