Sheba, they make me very manic within week or two or I start rapid cycling. You get a blood test with the tegretol but they do the blood test at the same time I get my lithium levels checked, so about every three months for me. I had a few side effects from tegretol in the first few weeks. Nothing major, tight jaw, yawning. Now I don't notice any side effects. I've also been lucky with lithium, no weight gain, no noticeable side effects aside from slight hand tremors once in a while. I've been on lithium for 6 years and for me it is my go to drug.