Were you ever given an option to take a smaller dose? Something to limit the really bad swings? Is this something you'd be able to test?
I described my experience with lithium, and while there were sedatives and antipsychotics that I was prescribed which had a far greater numbing effects, I was not speaking to them.
All of the medications I tried had different consequences, Lithium's were not the worst (Lamictals were the most interesting musically).
Be well. I can only hope our life experiences both rock regardless of whatever bumps in the road we hit. I didn't put the low-lights of my life on meds into my post, but they are legion. Leeeeeeegion.