I was diagnosed with bi-polar disorder as well. I believe you can be without medication, but you need to have a strong mind in able to cope with it. I keep a journal and I constantly research it so I know what I am dealing with. I used to take medication, but they made me more depressed I'd gain 10-15 pounds, eating when not even hungry. I'd lay around and be severely fatigued and tired. It's not even that I still haven't found the right combination, it is the fact that none of them are 100%. You're always going to find a flaw on one of the medication combinations. Plus a lot of those medications aren't good for your body they are filled chemicals and slow down your metabolism. My period went away for 3 months and my thyroid levels were showing up as if I was going through early menopause. If you have a bad case of it, then I definitely do not recommend getting off of them. However, if you think you are able to control it I'd suggest seeing a therapist, taking vitamins, eating right, exercise and keep a journal to keep track of your moods. The mind is much stronger than we think and it will believe anything you tell it. I believe in the next 10 years something better than medication will have come about to help deal with this disorder a different remedy that will not hurt your body. To help lack of sleep, buy a good tea and make it before bed and those help you relax and do help me sleep.