Hey Barb
Side effects suck.
I'm not on that particular med, I'm on Depakote and it makes me nauseus. The trick to all these meds is that the side effects start out hard and then wear off in a few weeks. It takes me _four_ weeks for a raise in dose to "settle in" and the side effects to wear off.
You might want to write down when you started on the med, and then every week write down if the side effects are lightening up or staying the same. Every person reacts differently, so just cuz it takes me four weeks doesn't mean it will be the same for you.
I'd suggest a couple months, because you're just starting out on the med. If the side effects stay the same all the way thru then holler at your doc and see what other meds you can try. Each med has different side effects, so it really pays to experiment until you find one that works good for you.
Mike