Back Pain, Taking Tegretol. Have Blood Pressure, Diabetes And Neuralgia
Thanks for posting your query.
Tegretal and other class of antidepressant drugs have soothening effects on the nerves; thus reducing pain and burning sensation. However as your doctor suggested they can take a while (average 2-3 weeks) to produce significant results.
During this time if the response is not adequate we can increase the doses (maximum tegretal dose would be 1200mg day) if you are tolerating it well or add another drug to it to relieve the symptoms. The drugs can then be titrated according to your needs.
In addition vitamin B12 supplements can be tried for additional benefits.
Discuss with your doctor since I do not feel any over the counter pain killers can soothen this neuralgic pain. I also hope your doctor's have ruled out shingles (if the pain is unilateral).
Hope this answers your query. Let me know if you have need additional information.
If you do not have any follow ups, please close this discussion.
Get well soon!!
Regards
Dr. Prasad