Thanks for the replies. The thing I am concerned about is that I have atypical facial pain(constant throbbing in upper right molar #2) and I have not found much research that trileptal will help with this. I have tried Lyrica, Tramodol, and Baclofen with no results other than Tramodol helps somewhat but is way too sedating. One thing about my neurologist and facial pain specialist is that I don't think they are good listeners, to my history, to my symptoms, etc. I still believe as my dentist does that I have an unresolved dental issue(for over two years now) but since I have been under the primary care of the neurologist and facial pain specialist I have been following their opinions and going that route. With the trileptal, one approach I am taking is that yes I will take the medicine for a month or so and if it helps than maybe it is really atypical facial pain and I need to decide if I want a lifetime of trileptal, but what will that do to my body over time?..that is why I probably would not take it long term. If Trileptal does not work than it shows that even a gold standard medicine such as this(and Lyrica, etc.) is not working and that maybe I really do have a dental issue that I will pursue with my dentist going forward. Does this make sense? The neurologist and facial pain specialist are worried that any more dental work may cause more problems which I completely understand, but maybe that would be the solution after all...i.e. extraction or root canal surgery , etc. Tough decision. Thanks.

Alex