Quote:
Originally Posted by fergus
I feel better on the meds I'm on now lithium and seroquel. What I've found interesting though is I feel better on these 2 meds then the 5 or 6 I used to take at one time.
My new pdoc uses an approach that I like. He starts me on a very low dosage of medication and tells me to slowly increase the dosage until I feel the effect. The goal being to feel better with as little medication as possible. I'm on a small almost sub-therapeutic level of lithium because anymore than this and I feel tired and cloudy all the time.
If you don't feel yourself it might be the type or amount of medication you are taking. Personally I also find exercise and low caffeine/sugar diet helpful.
What I still hate though is most medication does an amazing job at controlling mania but no so good job at depression. It leaves you depressed most of the time with no mania in between to cheer you up.
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I benefitted from your post fergus - my pdoc and I are considering trying to simplify my meg regime - and although we are all different, your experience make me feel a little more courageous. Just out of interest what type of lithium are you on and what is the maximum dose before you run into the "tired and cloudy"?
It has been my experience too that, taking away the hypermania has obliterated basic functioning for months on end. Before taking away the hypomania, I didn't even think my hypermania was hypermania because it was such a relief to be able to do all those things I had needed to get done for so long. I thought I was in normal mood and merely catching up on things.
Anyhoo, to not let the thread get off track. Is it possible for me to manage bipolar without meds? For me personally - not a snowballs chance in hell. I have an extremely aggressive case of bipolar. Can someone else? I think only if their symptoms are mild and they make lifestyle decisions consistent with bipolar management. - early to bed, early to rise, no sugar, no alcohol, no caffeine, an hour a day moderate exercise, meditation, yoga, cognitive therapy. I think a good support network, and having no trauma issues makes the 'no-med' option, more viable.
Even though I will never be in that bracket, I would like to hear more from people with mild symptoms who do bring symptoms under control with good lifestyle decisions. I'm always happy to hear any way to tweak my lifestyle/cognitive regime, just as I am, my med regime.
Cheers,
Jade