Quote:
Originally Posted by sprik
i really enjoy a thread that was posted yesterday about people going off their meds, a lot of people said they had coping skills that helped them maintain their life. I wont go off my meds, which is a personal choice for me, but it is a up and down situation for sure. I was hoping the people who are med free would share some of the ways they deal with all this stuff. Thanks  |
i'm bp2 (hypomanic w/no depression) and after being on lithium (450mg) for 35 yrs. w/ok of my psych nurse, i am off lithium. i still take a small amount of seroquel for sleep and 1/2 klonopin daily for my anxiety. i feel i am very knowledgeable about my illness and know the triggers and destabilizers, etc. i've had thyroid issues, had parathyroids removed and now some early kidney issues all related to long-term use of lithium, but it was a great drug for me. i keep a daily diary of my moods and have a husband who is keeping an eye on me to see if there are any changes in my moods since off the lithium. i have found that the fatigue of requiring a daily nap is gone and waking up, even before taking my lithium in a.m., the feeling of agitation and pissed-offness is gone...almost as if the lithium had created some bipolar issues that aren't presenting now. i am a daily exerciser for over 30 yrs. and use the cardio portion of the exercise to burn off the mania and try to keep my world as stable as i can. should i destabilize due to being off meds, will return to psych nurse to see what mood stabilizer i will need. hopefully the seroquel and klonopin in my body will be all that i need.