[senorpeligro]

I quit my meds cold turkey roughly a month ago. Anyone have any suggestions for alternative treatment for bipolar?

[perpetuallysad]

I actually don't know any worthy alternative treatments. But I didn't want you to think no one was listening...I have found that personally I have to stay on medication. Is there a specific reason you quit cold turkey?

Why did you quit the meds? Does your pdoc know you've done this? I hope it'll be okay for you, but watch your symptoms. I'm not aware of any alternative treatments that really keep symptoms under control. Some people have some luck with omega-3 fish oils, but usually in conjunction with other meds. As with all things, a good diet and exercise can't hurt. I'm concerned that you quit cold turkey though. Are you under the care of a tdoc who can help monitor your symptoms at least?

[Anneinside]

The only alternative to medication is ECT. Not what you want to hear I am sure. I have it every 3 weeks, along with a small amount of medication. There are no proven herbs that help bipolar.

[Fire_Star]

By 'alternative' do you means thinks like homeopathy, naturopathy etc? If I was you, I wouldn't touch that stuff and work with your pdoc to find other means of treating your symptoms if you can't tolerate the drugs.

If you really think it's going to help, at least do some research and make sure you read the evidence of those saying it's dangerous and ineffective in most cases. Don't just read the fear mongering work that says it's natural so healthy and drugs are chemicals so bad. You won't get a balance argument there.

Tim Minchin (skeptic comedian) says in his show: Alternative medicine that works is called... medicine. He's right. Alternative treatments have usually failed in clinical trials or haven't even been tested properly. Most of these alt treatments use the evidence of patient testimony however, if you do your research there is a natural explanation of why this is and that it has nothing to do with the treatment working.

[ruffy]

Alternatives medicines can be just as dangerous as regular medications, with serious side effects Many of them when not used properly can interact adversly to eachother, or even cause toxicity. Would be good to bring it up with your Dr. if your tired of the conventional meds. We care about you, so keep in touch so that we know youre O.K.!!!!!