I've also read many terryfying things on the net.

But then generally people don't go on to the net to write "I went onto Lithium and everything was ok"

I was on Lithium and with a bit of adjustment it was fine. Just drink lots of water and you soon get used to it. It didn't work long term for me but that's because I tend to depression and anti-depressants don't work for me so I went onto Lamotrigine.

Valproate is not something I'd recommend for someone who might get pregant while on it.

Lithium is generally geared more towards Depression and it works very well for that. I used it for 15 years and loved the fact that the side effects were so low. I also like that it wasn't a chemical. It is a salt, a natural element, you do have to stay hydrated.

I used Depakote for my Seizure Disorder and didn't care for it. It made me feel like a Statue that walked. To be fair the dosing is different when using it for Seizures vs. BiPolar, but it just sucked everything that was "me" out of me. I stopped it after 1 month, I couldn't tolerate it.

I have been on both Depakote and Lithium. I'm Bipolar 2 so my tendency towards depression is my major issue. I was on Lithium for many years and ended up going off of it because my cocktail was no longer helping the depression symptoms. Lithium is also excreted through the kidneys. You have to have a level taken every 3 - 6 months to make sure you are where you are supposed to be on the "healthy" side of the spectrum. (I have a long history of kidney stones so this was also an issue for me personally.) Depakote made me feel "heavy." Like my shoulders and body were always weighted down. I experienced a literal "buzz" from it. Like the buzz of an actual bee, vibrations sort of. I have been on so many meds I don't even remember them all. It is daunting wading through all of the options that exist out there and weighing the pros and cons of their side effects and effectiveness. Best of luck navigating the maze.

Ive been I. Lithium about two years. I have hypothyroidism due to it but otherwise it’s ok

I take lamictal. 300 mg/day. When I was on lithium I gained a lot of weight. I don’t remember why I went off depakote since it was so many years ago.

It can be so hard to navigate all the different meds b/c one that works well for one person has totally different effects on another person.

I tend toward mixed states too and even though i’m BP1, I can lean toward depression easily. Especially as I’ve gotten older.

Best to you on whatever you decide. Hugs.

The first med I took after being diagnosed was Depakote and it didn't work, so my pdoc kept increasing the dose until I experienced Parkinsonian Syndrome. It was horrible! Then he put me on Zyprexa which caused extreme weight gain. Zyprexa worked great for my bipolar symptoms, but I didn't like the weight gain. Then, I took Lithium and lost the weight gain from the Zyprexa. Lithium worked well for a number of years. Then it stopped working and I started taking Seroquel. I was also taking Zoloft and Xanax with all the above antipsychotics. I've been on Seroquel for many years now. It worked ok, but not as well as now that I've been on Abilify with the Seroquel. I no longer take Zoloft or Xanax. I don't take an antidepressant any longer and am on Klonopin for panic attacks and anxiety and help with insomnia. I also take Ambien for insomnia. Of course, every med is different for every person. But, my "cocktail" of meds now, seem to be working pretty well. I have experienced weight gain from the Seroquel and Abilify, but I'm choosing stability over the weight gain for now. It took about 20 yrs for me to feel as good as I do now. So, it may take a while before your pdoc and you find the best "cocktail" for you. Good luck and I'm sending positive thoughts and prayers your way.

Good analysis!!