Going into mania on a very important time

I'm feeling like I'm headed there, fast. I only had a manic episode once and it sucked. I can't believe the things I did. Anyway, the doctor put me on a mood stabilizer too apart from the anti-depressant. That was 3 years back... and after this Christmas I had the bright idea to cut off my meds. My arguement was that I still have mood swings, so what's the point. I thought I could fight the depression with healthy eating and exercise. It didn't occur to me that being on meds I do have my mood swings but if I were off meds the swings could be really worse. Finally, about a week ago, I went to see my doctor (I hadn't seen him since Christmas) and he put me back on the meds.
So, this week was quite stressfull. I'm a preschool student and I had to go teach today and on Monday I have to do a presentation on a seminar. I hadn't done much about the seminar and I was counting on the weekend to work on it... But I'm feeling the symptoms. It's still early, I'm in the "good" part, or at least I was today when I was in the classroom, I thought I did great, I had an unusual confidence even though I prepared last minute... I'm feeling more talkative, eager to speak in public and say things that I wouldn't usually say... From the outside, it may seem that I'm a bit more social, but it scares me. I can't concentrate on studying, I feel my eyes tired, closing and at the same time I can't sleep...

So what I'm asking (if you made it through the post) is if there is a way to prevent this from happening, or at least delay it. I really need to do this presentation and I need to focus but I can't. I'm so distracted I have to check on things again and again (e.g. if i took my mobile phone as I was leaving the house, if I locked the door...)

Do you still have a T or a pdoc you can call? Can you get back on your meds? They obviously helped you before so maybe your doctor can call a new prescription if possible.

The checking--is that mania or ocd?? I only ask as I have ocd and possibly bipolar. I check a lot as part of my ocd. Anyway, I can't concentrate and am so tired but can't sleep either. I find meds the only helpful thing. Mood stabilizers and Seroquel do it for me. No they don't eradicate the problem, but they do ease it. Good luck and hope you feel better soon. Get some sleep!!!!

If you have only been back on meds a week it hasn't been enough time for the meds to kick in. I would call Pdoc and see if he would call in something for sleep and anxiety to your pharmacy. He might since you just saw him. My Pdoc does that without making me come in. Good luck. Otherwise try breathing in and then making your out breath very long. My social worker taught me this when I was manic. Also, try a bath or pacing. That is what I did.

I hate to be the bearer of bad news. There's not a way (that I've read) to stop or delay a state (mania, Hypomania or mixed). Starting a med(s) is a good idea but it takes time (weeks) for meds to kick in. It's my understanding ppl usually ride out the state or go to respite or a hospital.