I had depression and anxiety for a decade before a diagnosis of bipolar was added.
I am currently on Trileptal along with 8 different medications.
Trileptal is a great drug, but it isn't for everyone.
It is incredibly similar to Teretol which is known for helping many many people.
Basically they took teretol's structure and added an Oxygen to the compound so Trileptal has significantly less side effects.
It's main use is as an AED, anti epileptic drug, but it shown to help with depression and bipolar.
I had serious reservations about starting trileptal but at a good dosage it has seemed to helped me.
Though I will say on a low dosage when I first started and every now and then once I've gone on on the dosage it has seemed to cause me severe night terrors. Taking a xanax or any benzo before sleep will amend that though.
Like they said if you have concerns talk to your doctor but at the same time you need to trust your doctor has your best interests at heart and if you don't feel that you can do that, you need to find a new doctor. The only reason I am alive is because of the amazing relationship I have with my doctor and I trust her to the maximum extent and despite my reservations on certain things she has never let me down or led me astray.