"i have been on tegretol for 15 years and it definitely controls the hypomania and rapid cycling, though not the depression so well.  it sort of leaves you feeling flat, but i had tried lithium, depakote, and a few of the atypical antipsychotics and they were too heavy duty or left me with extreme weight gain.  when i went on tegretol i have 50 pounds of extra weight from depakote....it came off within 4 months.  i am not thin now, as i have gotten older, but i suppose it is still the drug for me.  at this stage of the game i don&#039;t feel like trying other meds as i have to work and function.  i also take a small dose of lamictal too."