I started out on lithium when I was first diagnosed 14 years ago. I put up eith the side effevts for about 18 months before going off it and all my other meds. Long story there.....

Time warp foward 13 years and im back on medication. This time rather than lithium im taking its newer version lomotrigine. Have only been on three months after being hospitalized but the effectiveness of the drug compared to everthing else ive tried in the last 18 months cannot be understated. It works.
As far as I know it has less side effects than lithium (certainly has for me) so I'm definitely sold on mood stabilizers. But everyone is different. ...I hope you can find the right combo for you.

Hugs