Im sorry this happened..Shame on your pdoc for not explaining the medication to you and doing the follow through needed. I mean really your putting a metal in your body. Lithium on the periodic chart is considered a metal. I often think maybe it would be better to suck on your cell phone battery for a few minutes daily than take the pills.
I do think everyone needs to research the meds they may be taking or are taking. Best to be your own best advocate. I have never just blindly taken a prescribed medication I'm to paranoid for that.
Good luck