I took lithium for 20 years until it began to clog up my kidneys (a seldom-cited long-term side effect) and I had to switch to Depakote. The numbness you describe is admittedly unpleasant but you eventually get over it.

Medications are not an 'ultimate solution'. There is no cure for bipolar disorder and you can suffer a relapse (i.e. an abrupt and severe manic episode, followed by a depression, and so on) even while fully-medicated. Relying soley on prayer and meditation seems very risky given the possible consequences of unmitigated manic or depressive episodes.

You should be able to live a productive life while medicated, especially if you can work with an experienced and compassionate doctor who is willing to work with you to find a drug or combination of drugs that help you to function and stay out of trouble. "Absolutely normal with no numbness" is a lofty goal under your circumstances, but I can't say it's impossible. Studying and working a job simultaneously is a lot of potential stress for a manic depressive, and I've learned that it's vital to keep stress to a reasonable minimum and maintain what others on this site have called 'sleep hygiene', a strict regimen of full nights of uninterrupted sleep. Emotional or somatic stress can rapidly bring on a manic episode

Good luck, hope this helps.

Jon