Meds for life?

In 1987 when I was dx unipolar I was told I'd be on meds for life. Since my BP dx June 29, I've gained 20 lbs and 4" on my waist. I am not impressed. Makes me want to throw all the pills in the garbage (but I won't). Now I have to wonder about diabetes and heart disease as well as BP.

VenusHalley...I have tried every alternative treatment out there: St. John's Wort, and other herbs, Sam-e, Fish Oil and Vitamins, Tryptophan (when you could still get it), 5-HTP, Bach flower remedies, eating well, Yoga, Acupuncture, CBT, EMDR, DBT, Bioidentical Hormones, Massage, Exercise, Meditation just to name a few.
Some like CBT, Meditation, Acupuncture, and of course Exercise have helped somewhat but none of them have ever taken me out of the depths of depression.
Some had the potential to put me in grave danger if taken with a particular medicine that I was on. I have an M.D. the is also a Naturopath and believe me we have tried everything!

Yes, from everything I've read...and I've read tons on the subject of Bipolar Disorder over the years... if left untreated Bipolar tends to get worse.
I waited way too long to get treatment and I believe that is why I am treatment resistant today.

I am just like you mel80. Thats how I am tonight. I have been feeling fine so I decided to go off meds. So now I sit here up alnight headed for mania.

I guess that makes me dead chick walking...

Thank you for all the posts. This may sound weird but i am happy to be amongst people who understand what this is all about

You're very welcome...we're all here to help one another.

Absolutely not...you are one of the fortunate ones that can find relief for your illness by using alternative methods.
You have to do what works for you... as we are all unique individuals VenusHalley.
I also use as many alternative treatments as possible...unfortunately it's just not enough for me. It's beginning to look like the meds. aren't going to do it for me either.