I'm part of the group that had intolerable side effects, and another member, her husband had SUDDEN kidney failure. His levels were checked like clockwork, and he still ended up in the emergency room. It was such a harrowing experience that she and her pdoc opted that she get off the Lithium too.

Also it is well documented that Lithium is not to be rxd past a certain age due to the high chances of kidney failure in "older" patients.
The red flags surrounding Lithium are nothing like "The boy who cried wolf". They are real.

Just wanted to reiterate Anika's post about rumours and real experience. Most rumours have an actual root and don't get sucked from the rumour god's thumb.

To the OP, I unfortunately have no advice re: coming off Lithium I flushed all my meds and went cold turkey so have no idea which med caused what withdrawl symptom.