Though trite, I'll write anyway. People's experiences on medications vary. Lithium is some people's miracle drug, and isn't for others. Some people experience side effects, others not, or they are more than tolerable given its efficacy for them.

My advice in regards to Lithium is to work with your psychiatrist to find the lowest dose that is efficacious. That dose can vary a lot, and being a big or small person may or may not make a difference.

I fit into the group that experienced many side effects from Lithium, except perhaps a common one. Lithium was weight friendly for me.

Lithium was not a miracle med for me, like it is for others. Unlike others, I respond better to some anticonvulsant moodstabilizers and antipsychotics. I didn't get all of the Lithium side effects simultaneously, but did have a number at the same time. When I took 1,200 mg, they were more bothersome than when I took 900 mg.

I was slowly weaned off Lithium about four or five years ago. In my case (can differ), I found that my moods didn't worsen, though I was still on a rather large medication cocktail. What I noticed when I was finally off Lithium was a decrease in my need to pee so often, less thirst, a little clearing of a mild "mental cloud", and better skin appearance. Other side effects had already resolved, while on the med, or became permanent. I won't mention all of them.