CARBATROL

  The doctor recently prescribed Carbatrol for my 75 year old mother who he suspects
  has had several seizures. (3 over the past 2 1/2 years).  He has not been able to provide a specific diagnosis, but has stated that based on what my mother and myself
  have told him he feels very strongly that she has had "epileptic type" seizures.
  Since July 1998, she has undergone a battery of tests and examinations and still nothing can be pin-pointed.  I am concerned because she appears to be having some negative side effects from the medication.  She has been taking it for less than 1 week.  She is experiencing dizziness, clumsiness, and an overall sick feeling since she has been on the carbatrol.  Are these normal side effects that will go away soon,
  or should she discontinue the medication?  I have not been able to get a return call from the doctor and I am getting very concerned.
  Any information that you may be able to provide will be greatly appreciated.
  Thank you
=============================================================
The symptoms you describe are very typical in someone who is starting to take Carbatrol  or carbamazepine, these symptoms usually subside within a few weeks because the body learns to break down the drug faster.
It would be a pity to stop without giving the drug a fair chance because it is very effective in certain seizure types and once established on the drug, side effects are minor or absent. a particular advantage of the Carbatrol preparation is that it gives steady concentration of the drug in the blood which improves seizure control.
If these problems are particularly bad right now, she could have a level of the drug checked and adjust the dose downward temporarily until her body gets more used to it.
The test is easy to perform and would be available in any ER.