I feel like quiting my anti-psychotic for bipolar

Yeah thats what worries me. I dont want to go back to where I was, but this isnt much of a life either. I want to be out there living, not stuck and pushing through every single thing every single day, among other things. I asked my pdoc if the meds would work the same, if my mood does drop, would putting the meds back up work? He said yes, there is no reason why the meds wouldnt work again. So if it doesnt work out, I will just go back on the AP but I feel I need to try.

well, episodes DO pass (even totally unmedicated), maybe the reason is not there anymore.

APs are not good for brain, so it makes sense to be on them only as long as needed. If Whitaker can be trusted, long term use makes your recovery prognosis worse.

Supanova... yes you should totally try, chances are it can work out. Medicated haze is not stable. Or we all could zonk ourselves with street drugs and pretend to be in remission. You need to find your way.

I am currently having a similar dilemma. Soon, my year with my patient assistance program will be up, when it is up, they will no longer offer the Geodon that I have been successfully on for several years. I'll have to change to another medication because there's no way I can afford to pay for Geodon out of pocket. (No insurance, no disability, no medicare, no job!) My husband makes decent wages, but not enough to cover over 200 a month of just one medication.

I've been on Seroquel, which made me gain so much weight. I've been on Risperidal, which I didn't see as many psychotic episodes, but it still didn't work quite right with me. I don't want to be put on Abilify because of the extra weight I'm still trying to lose and my family's history with diabetes, I'm really worried that it will help diabetes develop and I do not need that in my life!

I have an appointment next month to discuss this with my psych but I've been giving myself so much anxiety thinking that there may not be something that works as well as Geodon did.

Don't you hate it when you find the right regimen and for some reason or another it just doesn't work out after awhile? UGH!

[quote=VenusHalley;3359337]well, episodes DO pass (even totally unmedicated), maybe the reason is not there anymore.

I had a psychiatrist tell me that episodes (I think he meant depression) will resolve eventually unmedicated too. I wonder if that is standard opinion in the psychiatric field. How would one explain "treatment resistant depression"' if that is the case? I'm going to ask my new psychiatrist about this the next time I see him.

[quote=newgal2;3359490]I don't think so honestly. Some issues resolve but with chronic manic depression you can get worse. At least, some people do. I couldn't control my mania without abilify, but I'm starting neurofeedback to see if it helps.

[QUOTE=sweetmadness;3359573]I think so,too. If I had let my manic episode go, who knows where I'd be right now. I was just way over the top. There is also the kindling theory that says that every time you have an episode it is worse than the last time. I still pretty much subscribe to this.

I didn't say BP wades away, I said "episode". Treating episode should be different to treating the whole BP. Otherwise the only way with meds would be to UP UP UP and add more.

As for kindling... I don't know. I personally *handle* it better with age. Still crazy, but more managebly. Some could confirm the same. Kindling is theory. And since many here apparently "kindle" despite APs in their coctails.... make one go hmmmmm.

so glad to hear this! great news. was on haldol during recession due to unemployment for a while and it was hell, might be ok for some, not me. Also as an adolescent years ago, they injected me with prolixin which was truly awful! glad things going well for you. the best!