I was put on lithium about 10 years ago and stayed on it for about 18 months before I decided it wasnt working and the side effects weren't worth the small benefits. So after discussion (read me refusing to take it any longer) other drugs were used. I'm now on Lamotrigine and believe its by far better than lithium and way less side effects. Thats my experience and I keep in mind everyone reacts differently.

I agree with what has been said already. You need to take some control back. Trust yourself to know your own body. I have a pad that I take to my Pdoc. It lives beside my bed. Every night upon reflection, if anew side effect or question occurs to me, I write it down. Before each visit I type it out and print a copy for my pdoc. I include two categories. ...what I don't like / why and How I have been feeling and how I want to feel. Then when I see pdoc I have all the information with me, I dont have to think or genralize....I know exactly what I want to talk about. He reads it then we talk.

It means I retain control and get to voice properly whats going on.