I have had trigeminal neuralgia since the early 90's. I suppose there are varying degrees of severity because I was easily controlled with Tegretol. When I was first put on it and with each increase in dose I was pretty drowsy but that would go away in about 2 weeks. I guess it would be considered an abuse of the drug but sometimes when I can't sleep I take an extra dose of it. Since it is more milligrams than I take every night it does help me sleep. I take 200 mg in the morning and 400 mg at night.