It takes time to get used to it all. Eventually you will. I have been off blood level meds for nearly 2 years (just started a tiny dose of lithium and had to have a level last week) and am really not looking forward to having to get labs done every week for 6 months, just because it is a waste of time to go to the lab and sit. But I'm sure I'll get used to it, just like I used to be used to lithium and depakote levels.

It's overwhelming at first. I had all kinds of education (bachelor's in psychology, master's in a related field and master's in healthcare so I knew meds) and it shocked me how much I had to learn at first. I did something a little different but that really was good for me: my first 6 months after diagnosis I was in a clinical trial for lamictal. So I was seeing one of the top drs. specializing in bipolar in the world, I was highly monitored on the lithium/depakote/lamictal (placeobo for a while probably) combo I was on and they had an education program as part of the trial. It really helped a lot. And then I was able to start with the psychiatrist who spent a few days per month at the counseling center I go to and she happens to specialize in hard to treat cases which I very quickly and obviously was. Eventually she moved to a huge hospital and I benefit from that too. So I've been very fortunate with drs. and devotion on their part to teaching me about it. I wish everyone could have my pdoc....