[Passion222]

Finally got courage to see a holistic dr. She is awesome. She spent 2 1/2 hrs talking to me and did Accupunture. She's not in hurry to get me off meds and make me au natural yet. Step at a time. She is doing bloodwork first and im to see a therapist as I do go off meds gradually. She said Wellbutrin and Lamictal do cause weight gain in many. And sedate people some like it has done to me. That was it for me. Get me off this!! But so scared ill be "off the wall" again. She said I can learn how to manage my behavior. Not as simple as using meds but if I'm not liking the meds. I gotta at least see if this works. Any opinions on this???

[Gaijin]

I'm pretty skeptical, unless these treatments are supported by sound double-blind studies. I don't think acupuncture qualifies.

I've tried acupuncture myself, and consider it to be about like a good massage. Relaxing, makes you feel good for a short time, but offers no real lasting benefit unless you continue the procedure indefinitely.

I know the same can be said about psych-meds, but at least they're a lot cheaper than acupuncture and massage.

[Confusedinomicon]

I think the idea shouldn't be "will I be able to quit medication all together" but "will this give me stability and allow me to reduce the medications I need to treat the disorder". As long as you can see a long-term benefit in how you perceive the world and you feel more confident in your own ability to take care of yourself, you should see that as a win.

I wanted desperately to go off all my medication for a while, but am now seeing the benefit of being on them in conjunction of being mindful etc. I've been able to reduce the amount of medications I need to treat the disorder while maintaining longer periods of stability.

I'm not discouraging you from going au-natural, but I just wanted to establish that you shouldn't feel discouraged if it doesn't completely work out like you imagined.

[Anika.]

I agree with confused to not get too disappointed if it doesn't go exactly as planned. To that I would add tho that there is no end point.. it's not like if it doesn't go as planned the goal has to change, you just continue to work towards what you want. So I think the idea of getting off them all together is ok on that end.

Sounds like a good start, I think the idea of changing behavior, thinking patterns, core beliefs about the world and yourself, and healthy perspective is pretty vital to being medication free, as well as on meds since the meds do not seem to work alone just fine for barely anyone. I think learning basically how to manage life, we all need it.. can't go wrong with that.

Since I have done this in the past I guess I would say... make the work fun and engaging. It is a lot of work, but if you approach it with interest, be creative and have fun with it, see it as a positive thing, the work will be challenging and good at the same time.

I didn't try acupuncture, or herbs so I can't add much to that. I used yoga, meditation, mindfulness, and a lot of healing and changing my perspective, and thought processes. It has had a huge effect on my moods and emotions. Along with diet and other lifestyle changes. I was thinking about this the other day.. I have not had anything that would qualify as a mood episode since September last year, when I got over that one is when I got off the meds. Before that it was constant, I never had stability for more than a month here or there. So I would say it does seem to be working pretty well for me.

Meds might be cheaper, but nasty and dangerous side effects come with a price as well. The studies of meds and effectiveness are actually pretty telling if you look closely.

[Anika.]

Oh I'll ad this tho it is not bipolar related. My old pdoc sent me to see his wifes naturopath after my dr's failed for years to find out what was wrong physically. I was not very trusting or sure what to expect.

I gave her very little info except for symptoms which are a bit vague and wide spread. She was able in an hour to come to the same conclusion my dr's had come too. Not only that she came to a few conclusions that my dr's came to AFTER I saw her and after years of seeing them. She also offered me more help and made a detailed plan for me. Nothing weird either, stuff like not eating nightshades to reduce my inflamation, a dr could have told me that stuff but didn't. She took a lot of time to work out a plan and help get me healthy.

[Blue Poppy]

I have considered in the past going to a naturopath for other issues. However, when I see the cost of one session and then everything that needs to be purchased, based on the recommendations, I cannot justify it. I feel well on my meds now and I have a coverage plan.

[Trippin2.0]

Originally Posted by Gaijin

I've tried acupuncture myself, and consider it to be about like a good massage. Relaxing, makes you feel good for a short time, but offers no real lasting benefit

I had kidney infections for 2 yrs as a teen,meds cleared 1 infection just to make way for another.My gp was at his wits end with the last 1- I was bedridden for 2 weeks,so MUCH pain and swelling! I readily & ignorantly agreed to him giving me acupuncture, best health choice EVER! I am infection FREE for 12 YEARS.

[Trippin2.0]

Passion, I thoroughly believe in researching all avenues, in everything This lady sounds solid, recommending a T to help you aquire coping skills was a positive move on her part... I say dont kick it till you tried it. And like others have mentioned, there are many avenues to the same goal, and exploring each one will mean being better equipped on different fronts... Good luck, I know you've been struggling with the 'diabetes in a bottle' route, I hope you find one that suites you

[hamster-bamster]

I am surprised that she said that WB is sedating. It is usually rather stimulating instead. Maybe an unusual reaction? The usual worry about WB is that it can precipitate hypomania, not sedate you.

[BlueInanna]

I think this is great Passion. Accupuncture can do wonders. They're doing it on my teen son in his rehab, he likes it so much he wants me to quit my klonopins and try accupuncture. "Of course it's not going to work for everybody". But for people like you and me, dx'd in our late 30's we've already been living with bp med free for so long, learned bad and good coping skills, and now we know the difference. I'm so proud of you for trying these different avenues. Please keep us posted on how it is going.

[Passion222]

Blueinanna the holistic therapist told me today that she thinks meds are needed for bipolar. What the heck :-(. Accupuncture is the most amazing thing. My "worry" energy always blows the needles out. Imagine!!!?? Crazy huh

[BlueInanna]

Wow, that's amazing. Keep at it and they'll help get all the meridians cleared and lined up.
Everyone is going to have their opinion about meds treating it best. As someone else said, Your opinion matters just as much as theirs.

Might be good to keep on the meds during this initial therapy and processing the bp dx, and hard times with your marriage. And reconsider if meds are still what you want at a later time. You can always change your mind.

[Passion222]

Blue-what scares me is how scary sad I got today when the man I'm interested hasn't texted. The depression is so overwhelming I don't know who I am. Rocked holding my head saying to myself "please stop thinking like this". Just can't. What would I be like off meds?? OMG

[Dragonfly33]

My goal is to take as few meds in the lowest doses possible. I know that alternative treatments can take months (it shouldn't be years) but I'm willing to try.

If yoga and meditation can reduce or eliminate a med and return a part of my brain function then I'm game.

It's not a guarantee and may not work for everyone. But I feel I need to try everything in my power to help manage myself

[Confusedinomicon]

Passion, I think that is more of an external issue that the therapist can help you with. I dont think that the depression comes solely from bipolar, but probably from insecurities about the relationship. If youre like me the emotional feelings are stronger and I feel more vunerable because of that. However it isnt the sole reason I feel a certain way. Feeling rejected, even if it isn't 'valid' always makes someone feel terrible. I hope youre able to work through this.

[Anika.]

Passion to me I think that might say you need to work on your self esteem, maybe some thought processes, cognitive thought distortions.. stuff like that. Sound less about the bipolar and more about what's going on internally in your thought process. If you can work on that stuff you would very likely see some change in the emotions that come with it. My opinion anyways.

Becoming med free actually took me quite a while, it was kind of a slow process. I don't think ideas about "well look at me on meds.. I am a mess, how would I be off them? " is a very good predictor, unless the plan is to just drop the meds and not do other stuff to get things in order, but that doesn't sound like your plan. Maybe it would help to not focus on the meds right now or no meds, and just focus on the work you can do to get healthier. Just take it from there. Really whether you stay on them or not you probably want to address what ever you need to to feel more peaceful in life anyways right.

[Passion222]

Thanks Confused and Anika. You guys have all been so awesome in this forum. You've helped me to realize what I already knew. My mind is messed up from my external being. I have horrible self esteem. Have forever. The weight gain is sending me over the edge. My laziness is ridiculous and has me very worried. I'm emotionless right now. That's not good. You guys are really the best!!!

[hamster-bamster]

Why do you say "laziness"? In your post about weight gain on AD's, you mentioned that you exercise. You pull the load - family and all. Why "laziness"?

[Passion222]

I talk myself out of exercise. Never was like that. Pretty darn active. Just was more before. But workout enough that I should not be putting on weight like this. I'm a good eater. I do eat high calorie foods occasionally but not enough to be packing it on like this. :-(((. In therapist waiting room now. Will keep you all updated on this visit.