I'm concerned about long term affects of APs. I was on both a mood stabilizer and AP. after a year of stability I quit the AP and am still stable. It was much easier to catch the signs that an episode might be happening when I saw a T. She was a better more impartial judge than I am. But I don't have a T and I do worry I might not notice the signs until it's to late. My Pdoc asked me to keep the AP on hand, but I need yo know when to use it....that's the catch 22. I do feel some relief in being off the AP though.

The mood stabilizer lamictal has a pretty good record for long term use and I feel ok about taking that one.