When I first jumped back on the bp train (or roller coaster, I suppose) seven years ago, I was rapid cycling. I was suicidally depressed for two weeks, normal for one or two, then hypo for two. It was exhausting. When I started meds it got worse because I would start and stop meds on my own and abuse meds to push myself into hypomania which eventually led to full blown mania (so they tell me, I still have my doubts). I can tell you by stopping and starting meds it just made my rapid cycling worse. I finally decided to be completely led compliant five years ago after a scary episode of psychosis. It took a couple more years to find the right meds but eventually the rapid cycling did stop. Now that I’ve been on the right meds since April and I’m at a less stressful job, I’ve been stable for the most part. Couple episodes of depression here and there but they’ve been short and more manageable.

So, in summation, I do believe with the right meds you can recover from rapid cycling. You just have to keep working with your pdoc to find the right ones and don’t completely trash meds if they’re not working. Talk with your pdoc and adjust accordingly.