I've been on venlafaxine 75mg (prescribed 150mg, but didn't like the increased side effects) for about a year now, I felt elevated mood a bit, but it did little to address bipolar cycling in my case. Recently I was prescribed Lamictal (lamotrigine) off label by my psychitrist as a mood stabilizer. I have just this week come up to therapeutic doses. It has been a huge change. I don't feel like I have experienced any additional side effects, and my mood is much more even. If you've never tried it, you may want to do some research online. Many bipolar patients have reported similar results.