It's funny, the doc in the hospital convinced me to go on lithium by saying it was the gold standard med for bipolar disorder and that it would stop my episodes. It didn't work. In addition, once I got to a therapeutic level and stayed there consistently my psychiatrist started taking my blood less often, which is what is usually recommended. In November, I was at 1.0. 4 months later, with no dosage changes, I was toxic. I'm having lasting health problems from that.

If lithium works for you, I've heard it can be wonderful. But just make sure you're having regular blood levels and kidney function taken. If you change your water or salt intake or are exercising more, get your levels checked. I didn't feel sick until it had already happened.