Too much medication/Carbamazepine?

[twosugartea]

Okay, here's the thing:
I went into meltdown mode a couple of days ago, just pure panic, almost constantly. I went to see my GP, and I just like freaked out I guess. He didn't know how to deal with me, so he called my mental health team and got me an appointment for that day with the consultant. He also gave me a prescription for clonazepam and zopiclone.

So I go see the psychiatrist, and he wants me on a mood stabilizer. He prescribes me Carbamazepine. I ask if this means I can come off of my Quetiapine or at least reduce it, but he says no.

Currently I am taking 800mg Quetiapine, 400mg Carbamazepine (going up to 800mg tomorrow) 2mg clonazepam, and 7.5mg zopiclone. I feel like this is really rather a lot, maybe even too much? I slept for like 14 hours last night. I don't know if I should keep taking it all because it scares me, it feels like a mini-overdose every day :S

Basically I just want reassurance that this is not going to kill me whilst I sleep, that going up to 800mg Carbamazepine tomorrow is going to be okay (everything I've read says 600mg is usual dose, so a bit worried there!)

And also, has anyone got any experiences of Carbamazepine they could share? Thanks :)

[Leni]

I've been taking Carbamazapine for a couple of years (600mg) and I've found it really helpful. The only problem I have with it is that it makes my mind less sharp; my thinking isn't as clear and my memory isn't too good. It's extremely unlikely that these drugs are going to kill you in your sleep! It's not surprising you're sleeping a lot though; they're all sedating drugs. I suspect the Clonazepam and Zopiclone have been given on a short-term basis though. I mean, if you don't feel like you need the Zopiclone to help you sleep, then don't take it. Same with the Clonazepam. They're the kind of drugs docs prescribe for prn use in urgent situations (to use as needed rather than regularly) - if the urgent need to calm down isn't there any more, it should be okay to reduce the dose or not take them. Probably best to double check that with your doc or psych; I'm only going on perseonal experience here, I'm not medically trained

[Steel Maiden]

According to my BNF, carbamazepine actually accelerates the metabolism of quetiapine, thus reducing its plasma concentration. And the same for clonazepam.

But as Leni said, they're all sedating drugs. Best to talk to your doctor. Clonazepam and zopiclone are generally used short-term in psychiatry.