"i was on this medication for 8 years.  they wanted me to get to 1200 mgs, but i couldn&#039;t function past 300, so that&#039;s where i&#039;ve been and i take it at night.  i&#039;ve run out several times and have experienced zero side effects. my sodium gets dangerously low and i have to increase my salt intake.  i thought i was all better and stopped taking it several months ago.  i&#039;ve been feeling suicidal and have been on manic spending benders and couldn&#039;t figure out what was wrong.  then i realized i shouldn&#039;t have taken myself off the medication.  i&#039;m also going to see a psychologist.  i don&#039;t like psychiatrists because they always try to pawn off the latest medication marketed to them with perks."