Hi! I can comment on the part of your question that says "anything to watch out for while getting off lithium"...

I just got off of it. I tapered for a couple days and then pitched the rest. I know it was not a wise decision, but for me, I became fed up with the weight gain. I am only 2 weeks into being off of it, but I have to say I am SO surprised at how easy it has been!

I fully expected a fight and withdrawls etc. but I did not experience that at all. The extent of what happened was this:

1) after day 2 or 3 without meds my head just felt a little odd. not bad, just odd/foggyish.
2) constipation which has not fully resolved yet (sorry if thats gross but i thought you should know : )
3)I was mildy hypomanic about 3-5 days w/out meds. it lasted a few days and i was kind scared S***less that it would grow into something more intense but i practiced my breathing, stretching, meditation, and relaxation and made it through without any further escalation
4) I gained a little weight the first few days off and now the scale has tipped back the other way (pounds are slowly falling off. I am thankfully down 4 lbs from 2 weeks ago).
5) my energy levels seemed to wax and wane more. I would basically tire out in the mid-afternoon and I am coming out of that now.

Overall, it has been so easy compared to the SSRI paxil-hell-withdrawl I once experienced.

I sure hope you have an easy go of it!