Hi. I haven't posted for awhile, but I'm in the throes of bipolar mania. It's been getting worse and worse since January after I stopped taking Abilify due to severe sugar cravings and a substantial weight gain. Shortly after I stopped, I developed a severe case of tardive dyskinesia. It was hell. I was so afraid it was going to be permanent, but it did go away after awhile.

I have all the classic symptoms of mania - needing less sleep, racing thoughts, irritability, outbursts of anger, and uncontrollable spending sprees. I racked up over $12,000 in credit card debt in the last year. Luckily, I had more than enough in my Roth IRA to pay it off. All credit accounts are closed and I will never, ever have another one because I just can't control using them. It's cash only from now on. My husband was furious when he found all this out. I have never seen him so angry.

Anyway, I am rambling. I know I need something to help with the mania, but I will never, ever take another antipsychotic because of the TD risk. I don't ever want to go through that again. I see my psychiatrist a week from today and I know she's going to suggest lithium. I'm terrified by the constant blood tests, possible kidney and thyroid damage and weight gain. I have worked very, very hard over the past year to lose 78 pounds and I don't want to regain any of it back.

So, is anyone taking lithium? What has been your experience with it? Did you gain weight? Are there any horrible side effects?

Thank you for reading this long post. I'd appreciate any advice.

Lamictal 450 mg
Wellbutrin 150 mg
Klonopin 2 mg
Trazodone 100 mg