Hi all, and thanks for your replies. I called my pdoc today and just spoke to him. He's put me back on the lithium for the short term. He said it was better to get me to a place where I could gradually wean off it and maybe introduce other mood stabilisers. [I'm also on sodium valproate and zyprexa as mood stabilisers]. We don't have iop programs where I live, so I'd go as an inpatient if need be. For now, it's back to the lithium, and despite the side-effects, I'm relieved.