*** Is the Tegretol you use a time released one?  like Tegretol XR or
CR?   If it isn't most people now are prescribed one of those as they
keep levels in blood more stable than older plain Tegretol.
  Did the Dr. have any idea why the seizures came back? as often if
they're fully controlled finally, the med. levels could stay stable
and normally not drift off like that?

  Alternatively, when my Complex Partial szrs. got stronger again,
rather than take me above 800mg for my weight (160lbs, 70+Kg),  my
Neuro slowly reduced the night dose (over about 8 weeks), and at week
3-4 added a newer *complimentary pill that had recently been approved
in Canada for CP seizures --   there are several that could be used,
but mine happened to be Frisium 10mg (Clobazam).   Later when I had
another szr. we added half a tablet (5mg) in AM and then to a full one
with the Remaining Tegretol CR.  That was the last of the CP szrs. I
had (1997).

 Some medications (the type) might stop being effective after a
period of use depending on the type of szrs. we are having, or other
considerations that a Dr. would have to assess.
 Also **both time-released *and the regular Tegretol take a period of
time at a new dose to reach a stable level in your blood.   So from
last Saturday to Tuesday (now) is not necessarily long enough for it
to reach a therapeutic level for your metabolism.
   You don't want to Over-medicate Tegretol, so without any input
from the Dr. you should avoid the hope of e.g. adding More Tegretol to
what he just added, in hopes of getting this to Quit it finally....
This stuff is strong, and doesn't work like Aspirin.   And as I
suggested above takes a period of time (the Dr. should know how long)
to get to a balance in the Kidneys or Liver where it's absorbed.
Overmedicating with it can produce side effects too, that won't help
getting more control as you'd like.

  So that's one idea, based on experiences with Tegretol, and
(finally in my case) success with it. With most Anti-ep. medications
they'd try them for a longer period (6-8 weeks?) before considering
use of a particular one as a failure to control szrs. properly.    G./

I hate to have to tell you this, but it's usually only children that
sometimes may grow out of epilepsy. I've had epilepsy since I was 9
years old though, but after I'd past 25 years old, my GP took me to one
side and broke it to me gently that I may never grow out of it, and I
haven't - I'm now 41, and my seizures have consistently gotten worse!

There is *no* cure for epilepsy. It is a condition that can only be
controlled by medication - cut down to what they would originally be like.

I should know, nowadays, I'm on 800mg Tegretol Retard twice daily, 750mg
Keppra twice daily, and 150mg Zonisamide twice daily. I was a Mural
Painter in my mid-twenties, painting these immensly large paintings high
up scaffolding, but my seizures just became worse and more frequent. I
didn't just have to give up work altogether, but my hubby also had to
give up his job to become my carer after I began to fall everywhere and
anywhere without warning.

I know people can be cruel sometimes, but I sympathise, I usually do my
best to hide it from anybody unless they're really close to me. Mainly
letting my friends and relatives know, but you'll find when they're grown
up and little more mature, they can be very helpful in say, calling
an ambulance if you're unconscious in the street or helping you out if
you're completely confused perhaps!    

Sofie