Lithium has worked fine for me, but I've only been on it for about four months now... still plenty of time for things to go tits-up.
I've certainly heard about it not working, different people react differently to different meds.

Annddd.... I LOST weight on Lithium. Go me.

I am on Lithium...and it has been a wonder drug for me. I have actually lost weight since taking it. The fact is that all people are different. I have spoken with many people who feel the same as i do...and I have heard horror stories. If it is not working, then try something different...and if your pdoc won't listen to you, then get a new one. I think the hardest thing to do is advocate for ourselves. I was over medicated for 2 years before going on Lithium and it was horrible. I have a new pdoc now, and I feel much better. Good luck and hang in there:-)

Nothing works all the time for all the people. While I've used lithium successfully for 28 years I know not everyone can tolerate it. That's why there are alternatives and your docs should be familiar with them. If your docs can't get beyond that then it's time to see a new doc because you deserve effective treatment.

I just started it, so I don't know how it affects me yet, but I have heard it DOES NOT help everyone. It helps some a lot, but if you feel like it hasn't helped, it is time for pdoc to give you something new. If you are worried about weight, stay away from depakote. I heard that puts weight on the worst.
Good luck!

Anne, if it's been a year and you are having so many issues, please insist on trying something else. Rememeber they are supposed to be there for you. Lamictal is a good mood stabilizer for many.
Bottom line - insist on pdocs paying attention and working with you on your meds. A year is too long to put up with that! Take care!!

The docs in my area here in Maine rarely perscribe Lithium anymore.

Hi Anne. I just started taking Lithium a couple of weeks ago. Before that I my BPdoc has been trying different combinations but none have been working. I am taking an anti-depressent Wellbutrin right now but lowering the dose....my BPdoc thinks Lithium alone might work for me...sooooo....here I go again...hope my doc is right this time. If it isn't working for you I would talk to my BPdoc and keep a diary to take with you to back up whats been going on with you and this med. Hope everything works out for you, just make sure you have good communication with your BPdoc and he will work better with you too. Keep us updated. Take care. Love and Prayers Ramona xoxooxox

I've just started Lithium myself. I guess it works differently on all sorts of people. There are many other choices of mood stabilizers out there. I know this because I did a lot of research before going onto Lithium. I guess altogether I find drugs scary. I'm still caught in the middle of what to do and where to go from here. Talk to your doctor about your other options.

It's worked for me.It's called Olde Faithful.
But I just read that it works for 50% of it's users.

It's pretty well worked for me and stopped the weight gain. No I just need to stop eating all the tasty carbs to actually lose the weight Seroquel and Epival put on me. Some drugs suck more than others. Lamictal doesn't seem to effect my weight but I seem to cry more on it? Damn side-effects are ruining my tough bitchy exterior.

I'm experiencing that my anxiety has gone. That seems to allowed me to be more manic..which is surprising. I'm not taking anything else.