Well CamW can give you the "technical" end of it also the "other" end of it. I've been on 900mg a day of lithobid since Oct.2001 cause Depakote wasn't working for me plus made me gain 20lbs in 6 months, lithium only made me gain 10lbs since last year. I find it to be a good med. it is just that because I am no longer manic/hyper I now lack energy but who knows it can be this extra damn weight making me less energetic, who knows? The positive thing is that I no longer "sweat" the small things in life, which makes situations more bearable than before. I was diagnosed as being a "bipolar II" (mild) all because the way I reacted to my husbands"s "close" relationship with his pretty female co-worker, well there were "lies" I came across which triggered this whole thing, otherwise I was always considered a real stable person who had their act together. I had no side effects from the lithium, my doctor started me gradually and it went smooth. Depakote made me tired, lose some hair, and gain weight. Lithium is nice cause it is non sedating. The dose you've been put on is even less than mine so maybe you will not have any side effects. I only noticed in the begining that I was once in awhile more thirsty than usual but that wasn't a problem cause I do not drink as much water as I should so this helped me drink a little more Every few months I have blood levels done, no big deal, with depakote you have to have blood levels done too. I hope I gave you some info., my brother has been on lithium for 30yrs and he has been fine all this time It comes from the "earth" so I console myself with knowing it is a natural element, ha!ha!
"darkeyes"