i went and got officially diagnosed!

Good for you getting in and getting this done. It is not easy. Hang with it and you will get a handle on it.

Go see a pro. Also, keep in mind that that person is working for you and should be on your side no matter what. If things don't go well, be sure to speak up.

I feared that I'd lose the manic happy part of me... So perhaps an anti depressant solution would help with that? Still, I'll try the lithium first.

Thanks for the advice!

But some of the people buying and selling it sure did.

1- Study up on your diagnosis, from GOOD sources on the internet like webmd, Mayo Clinic, etc. It will help you immensely, I promise you. Try to learn the lingo as well as you can, so you can communicate better with your doctor.

2- About your doctor: Ok, here goes. Yes, SOME doctors and psychiatrists are really nice people with no God complex, and can accept suggestions and feedback. However, in MY experience, they are very touchy and territorial creatures. Do not ever try to play doctor or tell THEM what to do. It sucks, but it's the way it is. Be very tactful and diplomatic, and just describe your symptoms as precisely as you can. If they are competent, they will know what to do. Don't suggest an exact dosage, because you will get asked where you went to medical school. Don't suggest a medication, because of the same reason. You will learn how to work with your doctor eventually. Hopefully you have a humble nice doctor. Ask leading questions in a semi-dumb Columbo-ish kind of way. They will pick up on your lead, if he or she is competent.

3- Lithium is great but very powerful. Get your blood levels faithfully. It's not something to be casual about. Take it exactly as prescribed, which is my suggestion for all psychotropic meds.

Best wishes to you, and keep us updated.

on a periodic basis. Since we got the dosage right for me, my doctor has ordered the blood work once every six months. The patient, of course, has to keep up with his or her end of the deal. If you have too much lithium in your blood, it can poison you like many medications. If you have too little, you might not be getting the drug at therapeutic levels.

Me, I've never been quite right, maybe I never will be, but I've learned to accept that, half a century of practice ,and many scars...

...many fine stories, even the bloody ones.

hope the meds work like a charm.

You'll probably be thirsty anyway.