as far as I remember, if you're over level 30 and you haven't got any dragon fangs, you're fucked for getting Lionheart becuase T-rex drop them between levels 20-30. Also those stupid frame like monsters in the Laguna's dream section inside ice cavern drop energy crystals (I think). So you're fucked for getting them too. Lionheart is the only worth while weapon upgrade in the game, so shiiiit. If you are finding it too hard, you haven't been junctioning magic correctly. Draw a hundred Tornados if you can and equip them to strength to triple your power. FF8 is pretty stupid in that you're best attack method is always... just to attack. GF's are too slow and get less kinda useless for attacking later on. Also, Never ever use magic, save it for your junctioning.
I feel ashamed I know all of this
p.s. You'll probably want to start the game again to get all those items and probably numerous cards that I take it you didn't win. The first time I played FF8 I got to the end of the seconds disc and realised I'd fucked up so I restarted. This is the major flaw of FF8 and also is why I usually follow a guide playing games from now on so I don't miss all these crucial items