[winkynjr]

I have recently been diagnosed with BP and was taking Lithium and Cymbalta for a while until my shrink would not listen to the fact that the Cymbalta was making me extremely tired etc and she kept messing with my meds so I finally said the hell with her and quit going!! She was taking me off lithium (which I know works, and I was just supposed to stop taking 600mg just like that) and keeping me on the Cymbalta. Well when I quit her I just stopped taking all meds and I have not taken anything in about a month or longer. My regular dr ended up putting me back on the lithium but for some reason I refuse to take it!! I don't understand why? part of me knows that it helps but yet I want to be stubborn and try to do this without any meds!!!!! I have been self mutilating and having suicidal thoughts, very manic.........WHY AM I SO AGAINST MEDS?????

[optimize990h]

I can only talk for myself and my experiences. For me, I just don't feel in control because of the side effects of the medications I have taken before. It takes awhile before the dosages are worked out for me to receive the maximum benefits. ;-(

And everyone is different for the meds and/or their bodies reactions to the meds. It is just not simple for me. Adjusting things according to a precise number never works out for me for the desired effects the first time.

It's very frustrating for me sometimes, like banging my head against the wall is just as effective kinda of days. Take what you like, leave the rest behind.

[wildflowerchild25]

a lot of people have trouble accepting they need meds. i just now started taking them again after six years of saying nah. there's people who have physical problems that they have trouble accepting too. my father had type 1 diabetes and refused to accept his limitations forever. eventually this killed him.

people don't like to admit that something needs fixing with medication. but unfortunately it is a reality for some of us.

try not to view it as a weakness - just something your body needs. i know it's hard!

Winkynjr, hello, and welcome.

If you know that you're bipolar, you may wish to get back on at least one type of
medication that has fewer side effects than others, because if you don't, you stand
the chance of having the illness become worse.

I think getting another psychiatrist is the route for you to follow. And there are
some very good ones out there who will listen to you and try to work with you to
get the right "cocktail" of meds for you that works to relieve the chemical imbalance.

You can help control undesirable side effects by watching your diet to reduce the
acid residue that meds cause, but that's something that should come later once
you've been properly medicated.

It's going to be up to you to improve your diet, take the right meds, and establish a regular sleep schedule. Doing those things will help to make your illness no longer
a bother, and you can work with it to remain stable.

It's really a pro-active state that you have to make up your mind to work with to
remain free from the symptoms of bipolar illness.