As many of you may remember I have been using Trileptal to help control pain. I am now off Trileptal (4 full days) I tapered off quicker than what is recommended due to serious mental health issues.

I believed my anxiety/panic attacks, irrational thoughts, agitation, mood swings, uncontrolable crying and yes, thinking about taking an overdose warranted a quick end to Trileptal in the event it was the cause and not just a normal depression episode.

Let me assure everyone I am now okay. The longer I have gone without the Trileptal the better I am feeling...mentally. Unfortunately, the pain is again increasing.

I was not aware of the possibility of mental health issues with Trileptal. I found this out through someone somewhere else and I am quite greatful.

I went about searching extensively to find more information on Trileptal and mental health issues. I found it and would like to share with you the information. Some of the information I have found also includes meds many of you already take.


The link to the entire information is listed below this brief section about Trileptal:

you should know that your mental health may change in unexpected ways, and you may become suicidal (thinking about harming or killing yourself or planning or trying to do so) while you are taking oxcarbazepine for the treatment of epilepsy, mental illness, or other conditions.

A small number of adults and children 5 years of age and older who took antiepileptics such as oxcarbazepine during clinical studies were found to be twice as likely to become suicidal than people who did not take the medication. This increased risk of suicidal behavior was seen as early as one week after starting the medication.

You, your family, or your caregiver should call your doctor right away if you experience any of the following symptoms: anxiety, agitation, hostility, mania (frenzied, abnormally excited mood), talking or thinking about wanting to hurt yourself or end your life, withdrawing from friends and family, new or worsening depression, preoccupation with death and dying, or giving away prized possessions.

Be sure that your family or caregiver knows which symptoms may be serious so they can call the doctor if you are unable to seek treatment on your own.
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/medmaster/a601245.html

This is a portion from a release dated July 10, 2008:

The drugs reviewed by the FDA were: Carbamazepine (marketed as Carbatrol, Equetro, Tegretol, Tegretol XR), Felbamate (marketed as Felbatol), Gabapentin (marketed as Neurontin), Lamotrigine (marketed as Lamictal), Levetiracetam (marketed as Keppra), Oxcarbazepine (marketed as Trileptal), Pregabalin (marketed as Lyrica), Tiagabine (marketed as Gabitril), Topiramate (marketed as Topamax), Valproate (marketed as Depakote, Depakote ER, Depakene, Depacon) and Zonisamide (marketed as Zonegran). Some of these drugs are also available as generics.
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_66827.html

Oh my goodness, Snoopy! I'm so glad your instincts are so well honed that you sought this info. out! I hope a better alternative to control the pain is found.

snoop,

thanks soooo much for this info.
it was very informative.

most of all i'm glad you're ok and recognized something was wrong and able to contact your dr.

be well.

Wow Snops! I am glad you figured this out! Now I hope there is something else for your pain!

Wow, Snoops, another Med aside effect fiasco.. I am so sorry..

You and Becky, both, have proved, the importance of being your own advcocate and watchdog.

I hope you find something safe and soon, for your pain....This just sucks for you, right now, but I am so relieved that you feel better, Mentally..

Snoopy, this is why I get so nervous, especially for newbies who are put on so many new meds at once. How in the world does one know what is causing problems when they are thrown on steroids, then Avonex, then Baclofen, maybe an antidepressant, and then some med to keep them awake . . . all at virtually the same time??

... then they have to try to wean off, or go cold turkey, to figure out what the offending med is. As if MS isn't enough to contend with?

Glad you know yourself and this disease well enough to know when some external factor is causing you problems.

Cherie

Snoopy, thank goodness you're feeling better, and you're a smart woman to do the research. Thank you for the links.

Funny I see Carbamazepine on the list. I had such a crazy reaction to that stuff day 2 of taking it... it changed my pitch perception of music. I was bawling my eyes out while my ex bf listened to the same songs as I had on the same computer and said, "They sound fine to me". I was scared I had permanently damaged my brain or something. Thank goodness it resolved in 24-48 hours.

It's not listed in the warnings, yet I truly did experience it. I only made the connection when I sat at my pc frantically searching "Music change" "Pitch change" with Carbamazepine. Then I found cases like mine.

http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/j...TRY=1&SRETRY=0

And this link "There are also reports of an auditory side effect, whereby patients perceive musical notes about a semitone lower than their actual pitch (so middle C would be heard as the note B3 just below it, etc)."

http://www.answers.com/topic/carbamazepine

(not the best resources surely, but I'm not a medical Internet savy person, so if you find any reliable resources, please post them up, because I'm still curious about this side effect!).

The drug was originally prescribed to me when Trigeminal Neuralgia was suspected prior to MS being in the picture.

Oh yeah, I should have added. I told my neurologist (current) about this side effect that I had, and that I would never take the drug again. He looked at me with a smile and said, "That means you are musically trained to perceive that. You should start playing an instrument!". LOL. I love my neuro.

Snoopy
I'm sorry for your scare, and am so relieved you are okay. Having recommended Trilepal I can't help but feel responsible. Are you sure you're ok?

I just saw my neuro and we are working on upping my dosage to try and relieve some of hands' sx, now that siezures are controlled. I appreciate all the info you provided. I'm going to be more vigilant then ever.

's

Im so happy you are feeling better but being in pain stinks

Wishing you continued improvement

Wow, how scary for you, Snoopy. Thank goodness you had the presence of mind enough to make the connection and take yourself off that drug.

I hope you can find something to give you relief from the pain without the bad side effects. Seems like we always have to put up with side effects that are sometimes worse than the problem we're trying to correct.