Thanks everyone for responding, it is nice to hear that it happens (or temporarily happens). I think the consensus is that there is no cure but long term "remission" is possible. I have a yearly appt with my pdoc to keep him informed. He has asked me the last few visits if I really need to come back and I do think it is important so people who love me, feel better.

I find the hardest thing is that any issue I have in my life, people ascribe to bipolar returning. I have teeny tiny cysts on my pancreas and they are likely to become cancer at some point in my life and after I told my friends some of them asked my husband if they were real. In another situation, I yelled at a friend of mine for allowing her kid to have overnight visits with her father (who sexually abused her as a child) and again I got the questions. I know I shouldn't have yelled and I apologized but it seemed less mental illness than pure frustration.

I realize that this disease and people's reaction to it (including my own) rob us of our dignity. Any choice we make that is off the path is questioned in the light of mental illness. I know that I still fear making choices and I want to hide some of my choices and thoughts from those who love me in case they assume that I am having symptoms again. But I tell them anyway in case I am having symptoms and just don't know it.

I hate not being able to trust my own mind and I am frustrated that some people cannot accept that for now I am okay.

Reminds me of a quote: "That which we obtain to easily, we esteem to lightly". I am grateful for every day that I am not suicidal or hallucinating invasions from China.