I've been browsing the postings and I have to say that I feel better already, just knowing there are others out there like me, because I have been feeling really misunderstood and alone for so long...

I'm a 40 year old mom of 2 teenage girls. I was finally diagnosed bipolar about 2 years ago. Before that I had been treated off and on for depression, mostly with Prozac, since I was a young adult. I lived happily on that treatment for many years...really REALLY happily. Since the BP dx I have tried many different drug therapies, including Lithium. We went to the Lithium after everything else had failed. The Lithium worked, but the side effects were debilitating, and for me, worse than my symptoms.

So...I went off meds altogether, and spiraled into a pretty bad depression...we all know where that leads to, and I want to live!! I refilled my Prozac and have been back on it for about a week. I'm starting to feel better, but I know that will soon turn into hypomania...we all know where that leads to...

Is anyone else out there able to manage symptoms without meds?