It's been interesting reading all this, because even though I am bipolar 1, my symptoms are so well controlled on lithium that I don't really have any manic symptoms that I notice. My mom says she can, though. It's kind of annoying, because even though I've always occasionally spoken fast, ever since I went manic last spring she'll badger me about the slightest increase in how much I'm talking or if I'm too happy. This is just at home, too; when I'm in public, I do the "in-public" self-check. In regards to your problem (sorry I kind of ranted there), is there anything else you can try taking? Lithium, perhaps? I tend to recommend it because it works so well for me.