[benzenering]

I have been stable for a few years on meds. My trigger for mood swings was my old job and old supervisor, but I have had a new job for 2 1/2 years with no episodes. The new job is going great!

Two weeks ago I decided to wean myself off my meds. I am tired of the expense, and having to get blood tests, and I don't believe my diagnosis of bipolar 2. Other than some minor sleep issues (I'm waking up before my alarm) the weaning process is going well. I still have around 2 weeks of weaning off meds to go.

If my symptoms don't return for, let's say a year, does that mean my diagnosis of bipolar 2 is in error?

[Love&Toil]

From my readings, it seems that the pattern of ups and downs have to be witnessed over the big picture, over the course of your life. From what I've read, it seems that even ONE single episode of mania/hypomania can qualify you. How did your hypomania symptoms manifest?

[Standup2me]

Have you talked to your P.doc about this?

[Nightside of Eden]

Reducing stress can certainly reduce the symptoms of BP. That doesn't mean the diagnosis was incorrect, only that the disorder has gone into remission. It could recur, either randomly or due to unavoidable life issues adding stress again.

It's never a good idea to go off your meds unsupervised. A good doctor will listen to you when you tell them your life stresses have reduced and help you reduce meds safely while monitoring you for returning symptoms.

Even if you're fine off meds now, you'll still have BP and have to be aware of the possibility of symptoms returning and needing meds again at some point in the future.

[tipper1492]

I did not know, nor heard of BP until age 63. Then I saw the light, and only then did I understand why I did what I had done in the past. Totally unaware, and yet my mania was flying high. I gave up all alcohol, any type drugs like pot, and stopped smoking. When I say stopped, I mean it because taken all the crap up again would only put me in that terrible circle.

[vans1974]

Originally Posted by benzenering

I have been stable for a few years on meds. My trigger for mood swings was my old job and old supervisor, but I have had a new job for 2 1/2 years with no episodes. The new job is going great!

Two weeks ago I decided to wean myself off my meds. I am tired of the expense, and having to get blood tests, and I don't believe my diagnosis of bipolar 2. Other than some minor sleep issues (I'm waking up before my alarm) the weaning process is going well. I still have around 2 weeks of weaning off meds to go.

If my symptoms don't return for, let's say a year, does that mean my diagnosis of bipolar 2 is in error?

I like what one psychologist said, "Who cares what the diagnosis is, just treat the present symptoms, because typically people tend to act out their diagnosis."
I'm not sure, but I'm bipolar II and like one person said about bipolar II disorder, is sadly most of your life you're bipolar II, than most of you're life you'll be depressed. Research shows it's worse than MDD, because once you've had a euphoric hypomania episode, than everything else is a low, there is no middle. A long time ago I was able to get by without meds or with just an SSRI to maintain a euphoric hypomanic episode which I could sustain for a year or so. Those were the easy good old days, but evidence shows with age, the moods for bipolar II become more dysphoric, and much more depressive and last longer. Sorry, but bipolar II, is hell and ask any pdoc they'll tell you it's way worse than bipolar I. Hope and pray you don't have it, and best of luck!!!! Btw it could also be cyclothymia.

[benzenering]

Originally Posted by Love&Toil

How did your hypomania symptoms manifest?

Mostly irritability, anger, and impulse issues...never have had the "fun" part. My ups always come with alot of energy too...i sleep hardly at all (and not tired) and can't sit still.

But I haven't had this happen for a few years. My trigger is gone now (old job and supervisor) so I don't believe for a minute that I will trigger a hypomania. Depression is my biggest risk. But I have nothing to be depressed about...my life revolves around my happiness at work (it is my social life) and it's going great.

[Love&Toil]

Originally Posted by benzenering

Mostly irritability, anger, and impulse issues...never have had the "fun" part. My ups always come with alot of energy too...i sleep hardly at all (and not tired) and can't sit still.

But I haven't had this happen for a few years. My trigger is gone now (old job and supervisor) so I don't believe for a minute that I will trigger a hypomania. Depression is my biggest risk. But I have nothing to be depressed about...my life revolves around my happiness at work (it is my social life) and it's going great.

I hope this period of joy extends far into the future for you!

[Rick7892]

Originally Posted by vans1974

I like what one psychologist said, "Who cares what the diagnosis is, just treat the present symptoms, because typically people tend to act out their diagnosis."

Thanks for saying this. This is kind of the way my general practitioner MD is, too. When I asked her for a diagnosis of whether I was bipolar or not, she said she isn't a psychiatrist and she doesn't like to label people with a diagnosis [I suspect that she meant this specifically for mental health conditions]. She prescribed meds for my symptoms, and these meds are commonly prescribed for bipolar. I live in too small of a community for a pdoc (psychiatrist), and I am fortunate to have her because even MDs here are scarce here and few accept new patients. So I don't have a formal bipolar diagnosis either. But her latest prescription has been helping reduce my symptoms and that is what I need the most.