I've been on it about 4 months tried going up to 50 mgs but started having bad headaches and feeling weird (can't really describe) so went back down again...stuck with it because it's the only mood stabilizer that hasn't made me sick as hell. Am so afraid of being manic again - walked out of a good job 4 months ago in an angry paranoid manic episode which was what finally made me realize I can't do this without meds anymore. Just started taking Pristiq which is turning out to be great for the depression really no problems with it. Changed from Lexapro which made me want to eat 24/7 But I keep switching w/o my Dr's knowledge and last time she got pretty pissed/frustrated but I can't afford to drop in whenever I have problem with meds and she's been prescribing some real nightmares for me trial and error... I have such a pharmacy from previous months of filling scripts, then being too afraid to take them. (Have some Vistaril on hand, thanks for suggesting it) Benadryl makes me sick but Vistaril ok as long as occasional, low dose...thanks for listening and sharing Rainbow it is wonderful to be able to talk with someone who knows what this process is really like....