I'm tapering off them and starting valproic acid. Valproic acid works fairly quickly for mania. Valproic acid is considered more effective for preventing depressions than as an antidepressant, but there are research studies and clinical experience showing that it can be an effective antidepressant as well. Sometimes it is necessary to take both valproic acid and an antidepressant. Depakote seems to be favored by doctors today.
Different medicines work for different people.
Both can be effective. I think that cycling several times a day is a severely variable mood rather than different episodes. My general practitioner feels that in the long run I'll be better off without meds. From what I've read, that is unlikely. I agree that your physician's prediction may be unrealistically optimistic.