Lithium might have saved my life. I was rapid cycling and having mixed episodes with strong, violent suicidal impulses. When I was just depressed I wanted to OD and go to sleep, but with these episodes I wanted to throw myself out of moving cars etc. I felt like my first dose of lithium diminished my suicidal impulses immediately. My dose was gradually increased to 1500mg and it's been months since I had a mixed episode. My depression isn't as bad but I'm not functioning to the point where I can work yet.

I gained about 40 pounds from all my psych meds but I didn't know until I read this post that lithium could do that. I'm also on Zyprexa and Seroquel, so it could be any or all of them. My worst side effect has been a stomach ulcer. I didn't know to take ilithium with not just food, but a full meal, and I've been fighting nausea and vomiting and trying to remember my meds at meal times. I also get very thirsty. Sometimes it feels unquenchable and I'll end up drinking way more than I should before bedtime. For me, the positives far outweigh the negatives.