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Bipolar Disorder, Recently Switched To Tegretol, Experiencing Fuzzy Concentration. Will This Subside?
Hi. I am very grateful that this service is here! I am a 32 year old woman from Ireland. I have had bipolar disorder since I was 25. I have been on various combinations since then and have been doing well enough. Recently my psychiatrist changed me to tegretol. I have had various side effects which have gone away for example nausea , aches and pains, light sensitivity. More recently I have had what I would call a fuzzy concentration which is making me feel insecure. I have been on 600mg twice daily for just over two weeks. Does this fuzziness go away? Thank you very much in advance.
Thu, 24 Jan 2013
Hi there ~
Side effects of medications are not uncommon, however it is good to know what those might be. Tegritol may cause problems or difficulty with concentration which may be due to the possible drowsiness that the medication may cause. Most people get acclimatized with the medication's side effects over a period of time, as in your own case where most side effects have gone away. Please be patient and if it is still not going away and is cause you to have significant problems with daily living, decreasing the morning dosing or taking part of the morning dose away and using more at night may be one solution. However you need to consult your psychiatrist in that situation.
Take care and I hope this was helpful.
Side effects of medications are not uncommon, however it is good to know what those might be. Tegritol may cause problems or difficulty with concentration which may be due to the possible drowsiness that the medication may cause. Most people get acclimatized with the medication's side effects over a period of time, as in your own case where most side effects have gone away. Please be patient and if it is still not going away and is cause you to have significant problems with daily living, decreasing the morning dosing or taking part of the morning dose away and using more at night may be one solution. However you need to consult your psychiatrist in that situation.
Take care and I hope this was helpful.
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Hello......
Thanks for your query. Carbamazepine is a mood stabiliser drug that can be prescribed in bipolar disorder. It does result in side effects like giddiness/fuzziness due to its action on nervous system. I would suggest that you wait for some time since tolerance to the side effect will develop i.e you would not experience the side effect after some period of continuing the drug similar to other side effects. Hope you found the information useful.
Regards
Dr Sundar
Psychiatrist
Thanks for your query. Carbamazepine is a mood stabiliser drug that can be prescribed in bipolar disorder. It does result in side effects like giddiness/fuzziness due to its action on nervous system. I would suggest that you wait for some time since tolerance to the side effect will develop i.e you would not experience the side effect after some period of continuing the drug similar to other side effects. Hope you found the information useful.
Regards
Dr Sundar
Psychiatrist
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