Re: Need advice about tegretol/folic acid requirements

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I just wanted to let you know that I also take Tegretol XR, 200mg 2X/day (relatively small dose). I do have 2 perfectly healthy, beautiful children. I feel truly blessed. I did try to go off of my medicine, but had a seizure (I have had 3 seizures in 13 years, triggered by lack of sleep-none while on Tegretol). I went back on Tegretol and got pregnant 1 month later. You should see a perinatologist, either as your normal OB or they will send you for a consult with a peri at 18-weeks. The latter is what I did because I really like my OB. Anyway, once you have your mid-pregnancy sonogram, and, assuming everything is o.k., I think you can enjoy it as anyone else would. It is nerve-racking; however, if you aren't healthy, your baby CAN'T be.

Prior to and during the first 4 months of pregnancy I take 1000 mcg of Folic Acid 3 X/day as per my neurologist. Remember, a person not taking tegretol has a 2-3% chance of birth defects, 50% of which are major, 50% of which are minor. A person taking Tegretol has 4-6%, which is double. BUT you still have at least a 95% chance of a perfectly normal baby.

People like you and I have very special situations which must be monitored (i.e. regular Tegretol levels, because as your blood volume increases with pregnancy the concentration of drug decreases, which can be very bad). You can do this, and I wish you luck.

At Sun, 21 Sep 2003, anonymous@obgyn.net wrote: >
>My husband and I are planning to start trying for our first child in
>appr. 6 months. I take tegretol for seizure disorder, and do not want
>to go off the medication. I am currently taking 800 mcg of folic acid
>everyday, but have no idea how much I should be taking. Everything I
>read has a different reccommendation. Anyone in same situation with
>advice would be appreciated. Thank you!

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