Tegretol/trileptal are usually not enough alone for some people.
But with Lithium they can work very well.

I have been on tegretol, low dose, for a long time and find out of all my meds it has the lowest side effects.

I could not handle Depakote either. I have been on seroquel for about 8 years. I wish I never started it. I was always normal weight and I put on 80 pounds from it. I have to admit it has helped control some of my symptoms but at a high price.

If you do go on it ask your doctor about taking Metformin with it. This is a med for type 2 Diabetes. Being on seroquel makes you more susceptible to getting Diabetes like all the newer AP. Metformin protects you from this. I find Seroquel very sedating.

I am trying to slowly wean myself off it.