Hi
I was on trileptal for approx.4 months. Side effects were muscle weakness and shortness of breath(at least I trhought there was a connection), also ringing in the ears, thingling arm and face. I was switched to carbitol without weaning as they are both in the carbamezipene family.I have been on carbitrol for 10 days. I have always had great success with my rescue inhaler as my astma centers around seasonal changes and mold.
Thanks for your help.

I was on Tegretol XR for 12 years following a craneotomy to repair a ruptured AVM. My neurologist in an attempt to help me out with my constant drowsiness, started to try me out on different anti siezure meds. Keppra first...no change. Trileptal was next. Significant side effects.... muscle weakeness, etc. A drop in my blood sodium level He was considering moving on to Topamax, but I have read nothing positive about it. I asked to go back to Tegretol and just live with the drowsiness. He opted to put me on Carbitrol instead.
His office called a moment ago to give me the message that my blood work shows my sodium came up since I switched (about 8 days ago). The doc would like me to hang in there for a week. He feels I still may be feeling side effects of Trileptal. I assume he feels the shortness of breath may be unrelated. I do not know for sure. I probably should mention that at the start of all of this---back in March---my GP had mistakenly put me on Cipro for an infection. This caused a siezure. My neuro detected some muscle weakness post siezure. It is definitely worse now. He said if it does not improve, he will get me into physical therapy.