ECT is used for both mania and depression here with success. At one point when I was contemplating stopping meds my pdoc said she would consider letting me, on the condition that I had ECT every 6 months.

When I was put on Depakote (Epilim) the first time I packed on the weight and came off it. Late last year when I was in hospital I was put back on it again except on a lower dose. I have not put on weight this time and I have now been stable for 6 weeks (a new record for me).
If you’ve stopped taking a med due to weight gain it’s worth trying it again at a lower dose.