Our partner
Bipolar Disorder message board, open discussion, and online support group.
by RopeofHope » Fri Jun 08, 2018 6:53 am
I started taking Tegretol a little more than a week ago, switching from Lithium after 15 years.
I took a blood test after a week and it's 7ug/ml. I understand between 4-12 is effective level for bipolar.
My new doc who seems quite negligent, said I could get off the Lithium from day one of taking 400mg Tegretol. With all my years in this roller coaster I know better than to get off a mood stabilizer like Lithium cold turkey and not be certain the Tegretol is in an effective blood level.
I really want to start tapering off Lithium today, but don't want to risk being manic. According to the Doc I should've quit it earlier but I want to know if this blood level is similar to other people taking?
Thanks.
-
RopeofHope
- Consumer 0

-
- Posts: 15
- Joined: Sat Jun 25, 2011 5:40 pm
- Local time: Tue Jun 10, 2025 2:57 am
- Blog: View Blog (0)
by quietgirl2538 » Fri Jun 08, 2018 10:10 pm
I haven't taken Tegratol but I did take Lithium. And my memory is not good. I know I titrated as I was taking it. I can't say for sure that I stopped it going slow too, but I hope another person who has taken it will share what they experienced. I've taken so many meds, my mind has mixed them up a lot nowadays. Like I said, hopefully someone comes in and posts what they did.
“There’s an Asian expression that ‘a burden shared is halved.’"
Bipolar
ADHD
-

quietgirl2538
- Consumer 6

-
- Posts: 6030
- Joined: Sat Feb 16, 2013 2:23 am
- Local time: Mon Jun 09, 2025 7:57 pm
- Blog: View Blog (147)
by RopeofHope » Thu Jun 21, 2018 10:28 am
Thanks for your reply. I don't feel any different really now without Lithium for a week.
I hope the acne I believe (hope) it was causing will stop though.
Meanwhile I did another blood test that showed a surprising lower level in Tegratol, 5 compared to 7 in the first test.
If anyone's taking Tegretol and knows a bit about the minimum blood level effective. I'd hate to be vulnerable to a manic episode, waiting for a call back from new pdoc but worried of a needless increase in dosage and side effects.
-
RopeofHope
- Consumer 0

-
- Posts: 15
- Joined: Sat Jun 25, 2011 5:40 pm
- Local time: Tue Jun 10, 2025 2:57 am
- Blog: View Blog (0)
by quietgirl2538 » Thu Jun 21, 2018 1:45 pm
I'd hate to be vulnerable to a manic episode, waiting for a call back from new pdoc but worried of a needless increase in dosage and side effects.
I can't blame you there, for feeling that way. Let us know what the pdoc says, I'd be curious.
“There’s an Asian expression that ‘a burden shared is halved.’"
Bipolar
ADHD
-

quietgirl2538
- Consumer 6

-
- Posts: 6030
- Joined: Sat Feb 16, 2013 2:23 am
- Local time: Mon Jun 09, 2025 7:57 pm
- Blog: View Blog (147)
Return to Bipolar Disorder Forum
Who is online
Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 6 guests