I actually asked my pdoc once if I could do that --I figured it would be so much easier to get rid of everything else and just take the one med. But he said I'd always have to take an AP regardless of whether I were taking Lithium or not. And then if there's anxiety in the mix, as there is with me, there's something for that in addition as well.

As far as swapping out AP's I really like Abilify in that 1) It's helped a lot to stabilize me in combination with Seroquel and 2) I haven't noticed any side effects. I recommend Seroquel for its effectiveness for both depression and hypo/mania, but it's a big weight gainer and, and at least for me, it gives me a hangover in the mornings -the next day, really. But I've weighed the pros and cons (I relapse whenever I try to lower the dose) and have decided it's better that I take it.

Best of luck on this med journey!