How to take lithium for better results?

I am bipolar too, took lithium for about 10 years and it really helped me become more stable regarding mood swings, as you know it is a mood stabilizer used to treat bipolar disorder.
I was on 900 ER, XR,XL (extended release) 450 mgs. in the am and 450 in the pm.
I believe you should spread your doses through out the day as far as I can tell from what you wrote I believe you are taking the IR (Immediate Release) formulation and in my opinion taking the whole 900 mgs. at once is too much unless your Psychiatrist has prescribed for you to take it as such, but I would call his/her office and clarification is required.
In the end as I mentioned it did help, but everything comes with a price. I am not being negative , just realistic, I experienced a couple of side effects which were not pleasant, hand tremors, I remember that one stuck with me the whole time I took it, but the benefits outweighed the risks/potential side effects.

Usual Adult Dose for Bipolar Disorder
Acute Control: 1800 mg/day
-Regular release formulations: 600 mg orally 2 to 3 times a day
-Extended release formulations: 900 mg orally 2 times a day

Long-term Control: 900 to 1200 mg/day
-Regular release formulations: 300 to 600 mg orally 2 to 3 times a day
-Extended release formulations: 600 mg orally 2 times a day

Comments:
-Regular release formulations should be given in the morning, afternoon, and nighttime (3 times a day dosing) or in the morning and at nighttime (2 times a day dosing).
-Extended release formulations should be given in the morning and at nighttime.
-Dosing must be individualized according to serum levels and the response to treatment.
-Alternative extended release formulation doses are 600 mg 3 times a day (acute control) and 300 mg 3 to 4 times a day (long-term control).

Uses:
-Treatment of manic episodes of bipolar disorder
-Maintenance treatment for individuals with bipolar disorder

https://www.drugs.com/dosage/lithium.html#Usual_Adult_Dose_for_Bipolar_Disorder

https://www.drugs.com/lithium.html

Best of luck, masso

My personal experience has been 300mg 3x times per day. For so many years (45) it could have been a dose of 800mg or 750mg, as it is now. It is a narrow therapeutic class drug and as the years go by serious side effects can happen, e.g. coma. Drinking a lot of water is helpful and not reducing the salt.