Has anyone here taken Tegretol? If so did it help stabilize your moods and how bad were the side effects and how quickly did it help you?

And also anyone on Lithium ....I have been stuck on no meds that can help or meds that make me sooo drugged I cannot get up. So on my Dr.'s list these are the last two. I took Lithium a long time ago and it did help from what I remember. But made my hands shake terribly, could not write and had some weight gain and makes me extremely sick to my stomach. But am desperate now for help so debating between the two.

thanks if anyone can help...I can't go on like this, he must find something. There has to be something or I wont make it.

Karen