i am, just started yesterday (newly diagnosed).

I started on it in July. Do you take it?

yeah i started today, but i cant sleep. is that normal?

i don't know that it causes insomnia...it has made me slightly drowsy. Try a site like drug.com or whatever, it should list all side effects of lithium. good luck!

on for 22 years

No because I have 2 1/2 kidneys and it could be harmful for me.
Lithium comes from salt deposits on wine barrels and other interesting sources. It's one of the better drugs for bipolar but needs to be monitored because there are quiet a few side effects. I have a friend that is bipolar 1 and he swears by lithium. I would try it if I could. I'm on abilify and zoloft right now.
As my pdoc explained it, there are the lighter mood stabilizers like lamictil, the medium ones like abilify, risperdal, etc., and the stronger ones like lithium.
Some drs say I'm bp1, some say bp2. If you're bp1, you'll probably want to try lithium; bp2 can be helped by it, too but there are many options.

Yes for a 1month and a week 600mg

I take Lunesta for sleep, since abilify keeps me awake. It's non habit forming and I don't feel groggy next day.

900 mg for two yrs. At first made me sleepy. Makes me feel warm/overheated sometimes. Seems to have helped alot.