Tegretol users: What is your Tegratol blood level?

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.

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.

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.

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.