last time I changed my lithium I only got tested twice, at 10 days and 1 month. I get along decently with Lithium. I get mostly body acne,a little weight gain, and occasional diarrhea. That's better than depakote, which gave me more weight gain, more diarrhea, thinning hair, tiredness/low energy, and it doesn't work half as well. My main gripe about lithium is that I can't take anymore and it doesn't stop all of the mood swings, just most.
I have to take other stuff because of that.