Hey. I have taken lithium for over 10 years. It has saved me from my wild moods (Bipolar 1).

It is not an easy medication to be on. You need to have blood tests to ensure that (1) your levels are in the theurapeutic range, because higher than that range can be toxic, (2) that your thyroid is not getting messed up, and (3) that your kidney function is not decreasing.

I have become very hypothyroid after all the years on lithium. My kidneys are fine. I now take thryoid medicine.

Lithium also can make you gain alot of weight, because it increases your thirst. Be careful not to switch to drinking alot of sugary, high-calorie drinks. I used to drink TONS of juice, but had to stop that because of the calories. Now, I drink TONS of water.

When you are sick, be careful to drink, because if you get dehyraded you can get lithium toxicity.

Other side effect are dry skin, acne, dry hair, and tremors. But they usually work out.

I would not get rid of it for the world, because it has been SOOO helpful for me. But make sure you are making an informed decision when deciding to go on lithium.