I've been on Lamictal for about 5 years now. Varying doses and a few times off it. It seems to spread things out quite a bit, but I see where it takes some time for it to fully kick in. I was off meds for a couple of weeks, and when I realized that wasn't working so well, my doc started me stair stepping back on it. At first I thought it wasn't working, but it's been about 6wks to 2 months since I started back and now I'm noticing my swings are slower, and not quite as harsh. My side effects aren't too unbearable. I overheat and sweat alot, but taking black cohosh suppliments seems to help. It also seems to make my fatigue worse, but the Vyvanse helps combat that. I worry that it's the source of my memory fog, but so many of the meds I have taken or could switch too have that as a possible side effect. Since mood wise it seems to help, I guess I'll just have to live with becoming the crazy old lady who tells the same stories over and over again, even tho I'm 26, :P