I would appreciate hearing from folks who are or have at some time taken lithium to treat bi polar.

A new pdoc is recommending lithium. I am going for another opinion before I agree. I have read a few things about lithium that concern me. I read that it is not very efffective for people with rapid cycling. I cycle rapidly and also have mixed episodes. I also read that it can be problematic for the thyroid. It can bring on hypothyroidism. My thyroid is already shot and I take meds everyday to regulate it. Lithium is hard on the liver and kidneys and the risks are increased if the thyroid is already off. It also sounds like lithium is used to maintain stability. Does that mean you are on it for life? That worries me because we always hear, 'lowest dose for the least amount of time.'

And last but not least the weight gain doesn't sound good.

If you wouldn't mind sharing your experience with lithium I would really appreciate it. This has me confused and scared. I am currently taking 100mg of Lamictal. Increasing to 200 next week. I don't want to make any radical change until I get another opinion. I have some concerns about the last pdocs eventual dx so I am curious what the next one will say and what meds she will recommend. It is still a few weeks before I see her so it is giving me lots of time to obsess about this. lol.

I am generally afraid and sceptical of pmeds so just thinking about this escellate anxiety big time.