Hi RDRK,
My comments are probably not much help, but since starting lithium three months ago, I've put on 10kg (not sure how many lbs that is), but it's an enormous amount of weight and absolutely none of my clothes fit. It really sucks.
But, generally lithium has improved my moods - levelled me out to a degree. My experience to date is that there is no complete answer, nothing will make you feel completely normal (whatever that is) it's just a matter of attempting to manage your illness so you can work and manage life and your family.