Lithium is not everybody's cup of tea. I have taken it for most of the last 17 years and I think it works for me. I do also take Seroquel and Klonopin with it. I have tried Depakote, Tegretol, Lamictal, Trileptal, and many AP's as well over the years. I don't have many side effects. I hardly have a hand tremor. I don't experience cognitive dulling.

I don't have any issues with getting blood work done. (My pdoc requests it quarterly.) It is important to check blood levels to make sure the dose is therapeutic and not toxic. It also important to check kidney function and thyroid function. I have only had 3 experiences with toxic levels of Lithium over the years. All of those were mild and reversible with a dosage decrease.