I've been on Lithium for around 10 years, it's been a life changer for me. Aside from mood stabilisation, I feel it's had positive effect on my mental health in general, odd little kinks and glitches ironed out.
However physically I feel like it's been quite rough on my body. I've had various issues to do with inflammation (e.g. hospitalised for cellulitis), have developed horrible painful psoriasis on my scalp that turns into welts, and get incredibly itchy in my hands and feet especially so take antihistamines to get under control.
Does anyone else have experience like this or am I wrongly thinking this may be lithium related? My GP doesn't think it's necessarily related but may be.
I'm considering changing meds but not sure of the effectiveness of others,, what the side effects may be and how they would make me feel.
I've been on Lamictal and abilify since I was formally diagnosed about 4 years ago. I've had none of the issues you've mentioned and it seems to work for me. I've never been on lithium though.