I have super rapid cycling bipolar. I'll be "normal" for two and a half to three weeks, then get hypomanic for 1 or 2 days, then have 3 to 5 days of mixed episodes, then about a week to week & a half of ever deepening depression. Then, suddenly, within a day or so, I shoot from the deepest dregs of serious (dangerous) depression to "normal" and it starts all over. And I'm on meds which have slowed the cycle down considerably--I used to cycle 2 or 3 times a day!! I am 59 and the mixed episodes are getting more intense with age, so are the depressions. My Pdoc has had me on Saphris & clonazepam. He is now adding Tegretol XR. I am skittish about meds but I know I need them to help me work through my cycles. We're hoping the Tegretol will slow the cycles further and dampen down the intensities of the swings. Has anyone had experience with the combo of Saphris & Tegretol? I work very hard at living well with bipolar and have succeeded on very low doses of my meds as well as using cognitive skills, planning, goal setting and charting, and mindfulness. Part of living well is knowing when I must accept an additional med no matter how much I dislike the idea - I am so stinking sensitive to them, my Pdoc & I have to be very careful. Anyone using Tegretol & Saphris? A success story will put me more at ease.