I would retry the lithium. Sometimes to feel better we just have to accept some of the side effects. You don't say what side effects you had so that makes it a bit more difficult to answer this question. At the end of any given day you have to do what is best for you and not what is best for or makes family members happy. (((HUGS))) I hope going back on the lithium works well for you.

I felt better on Lithium, I was able to work and concentrate.
The slight hand tremor was a bit of a hassle , people wondering why my hands shook..that sort of thing.

I'd go back on Lithium in a heart beat, but I went Toxic on Lithium, so no more for me

You could try depakote. I know it works well for some people.
Have you tried lithium ER? That might help. What side effects were you having before your lithium dose was reduced? Hope all turns out well.

Thank you for the advice everyone, I am on lithium er now and was also on it before, I am on 600 mg now and will go up to 900 and maybe even 1200. I was always on the low end for therapeutic. The side effect was frequent urination. My kidneys are fine. I see a urologist as well,.

I have the same side effect but am learning to live with it..... I have learned where the bathrooms are in all the stores we visit and for the most part it is just an inconvenience. Really inconvenient but not dangerous. I find that if I limit the amount of water I drink it helps.... but then I am always thirsty, sigh..... why can't they come up with something that works with no side effects.

I drink water non-stop and sometimes on long hikes or runs it's a problem but over time I've adapted to it. Over all I think it's the best med for me.

When you stop Lithium and restart it there is only a 50% chance of it working again so my doctor said - never stop it if you can help it because you might not get it to be therapeutic again.

I carry a water bottle - sorta trademark by now : )

I do what is best for me. People might care - but no one in this world, gains my rewards or consequences but me. I am responsible for my own goat...

off my lithium I am what the er calls a "frequent flyer" as far as inpatient goes. My endocrinologist tells me the lithium is wreaking havoc on my endocrine system........just had parathyroid surgery they think it caused one to run amouk thus causing my calcium to be way to high and other symptoms. She thinks I have diabetes insipidus and early on my thyroid went bad.

Trying something else has been suggested over and over mostly by the people who never saw me off the lithium. Luckily my current pdoc is who treated me way back when and she does know. I tell her two things .........first I would rather be physically ill then mentally ill. second the only way they are taking my lithium will be out of my cold dead hands then I wont care lol.

BOth my PCP and my shrink(and of course, me) are very adamant that starting today there will be no more lithium in my life. no lowered dose first. simply no more. And my mind will not be the same(as it was THE best mood stabilizer out there for me) but I had too many of the dangerous effects from it. stuff that happens to almost nobody. My PCP literally told me that most people do fine on lithium, but for me, if I stayed on it I would eventually go into renal failure.from the diabetes insipidus . I was a little hesitant at first. I told my PCP that my mind was all I had. I worked SO hard to get and keep the friends I have and behave well and make progess. I've been Toxic on the lithium before and was not taken off. He said "Please. I don't want to run the test that will make me absolutely sure. I don't think I can."
and with that I'm off the stuff. Hell ya I'm nervous. but I know now that I have a great support system and they aren't going anywhere. I sleep for five whole hours this evening. and it was delightful.

I think you should do what works for you and your pdoc. Hopefully the others will fall into line if they see your improvement, and if not, you still have to take care of you, ya know?

Hope it works out for you all the way around. :)

I think you should do what works for you. If you are willing to deal with the frequent urination, go for it. I don't think anyone could get me to give up my lamictal and wellbutrin.

Thank you all so much. I am confident my pdoc and I made the right decision.

your family member have PhD and 1 or more are your Dr., right.
either way your an adult, right. take care of your health and let the want a bee Dr's and your personal Dr., wring their hands.
Your Licensed n skilled Dr know what works. A pharmist is edu n train n skill in medications herbs... you know what works for you.
do you really need your family to tell you. is that their way of being in lime light n feeling above those who work in medical field.
Sometimes mgs need to be adjusted.