I'm not on Carbamazepine, but I'm on Oxycarbamazepine (Trileptal). I've been taking it since the summer, I think it's a little easier on the body than Tegretol. I get some very weird side effects about 20 minutes after taking it, which last for about a half hour. I get a weird feeling-- not really dizzy, but kind of "stoned." However, I do find it tolerable, and it doesn't last the whole day. When I first started taking it, the side effects were pretty minor-- headache, a little stomach upset, nothing too bad. The only problem? It's not really working. But other than that it's great. Haha. I wish you luck in finding a medication. I am still on that search myself, and I know how frustrating it can be. I am so scared of side effects, I don't even want to tell my pdoc that I don't think it's working because at least this med was tolerable. I am scared to go on something new, but I guess, what is the point of staying on something that doesn't work?