[chaoticlibra]

Is there anyone managing their bipolar symptoms or cycling without medication? I've been med-free for 5 yrs now. I know how controversial it can be and if I need medication I will start it again. the difficult times usually come with seasonal changes which is what I'm struggling with right now. I was diagnosed with Bipolar II 10 years ago. Just wondering if anyone could relate.

[Mikeyboy]

I'm not on any medications, because I always have bad reactions and am frankly afraid to try new drugs now. But I cannot personally relate, because I'm kind of a mess.

However, my sister is bipolar, and stopped taking medication about...7 years ago, I think? She has done quite well, especially considering what a mess she was in her early to mid 20s. She still has times where she struggles, especially during stressful times like changing jobs, big family get togethers, and whatnot, but she manages pretty darn well I must say. I should probably ask her how she does it...

[chaoticlibra]

Yeah stress management is big for me bc that is usually what can trigger an episode. Lifestyle and healing through past traumas helped but self awareness and early intervention has helped the most. If I can catch the symptoms early I'm able to tolerate a hypomanic or depressive episode....a little bit easier riding the storm.

[pawn78]

my dad is bipolar 1, and has been been hospitalized 6 times for psychotic mania. He has been stable and med-free for almost 20 years. He quit drinking, quit all things that triggered him, and lives a very quiet, monastic life. It workd for him.

[chaoticlibra]

Thanks for sharing. Glad your dad was able to find what works for him

[lilypup]

I'd love to go "natural" but it just doesn't work for me. It's always a disaster.

[Trippin2.0]

I can relate, its almost 3 years med free now, have been doing relatively well, therapy has been a golden addition to my toolbox of coping mechanisms.

Ps. I agree that self-awareness is key, you just can't ride these waves blindfolded.

[HALLIEBETH87]

I don't really function well ON meds

[venusss]

I am also med free. Doing well more or less. I think

[Atypical_Disaster]

I'm also med free. Managing just fine.

[chaoticlibra]

Glad to meet others. I feel like others treat me like I'm some rare breed or don't care about my mental health. I feel like some family members are waiting for a break when I have to be on meds again to say I told you so. It's literally day by day but I'm managing

[Curiosity77]

I'm not med free, but I'm down to just Lamotrigine now, when I was on a cocktail before. It's been 5 or 6 weeks, and so far so good. I'm just hoping to stay ok now that it's headed into grey rainy season.

Originally Posted by chaoticlibra

Is there anyone managing their bipolar symptoms or cycling without medication? I've been med-free for 5 yrs now. I know how controversial it can be and if I need medication I will start it again. the difficult times usually come with seasonal changes which is what I'm struggling with right now. I was diagnosed with Bipolar II 10 years ago. Just wondering if anyone could relate.

I've been med free most of my life, although I've tried all kinds of meds (Lithium n Lamictal being the most recent).

My only medication is exercise and other forms of distraction.

[chaoticlibra]

Exercise helps me too. I just have to be mindful of what kind I do. Cardio is more for hypomanic episodes and yoga is more for the depressive episodes

I gave meds a try for 9 years. They almost destroyed me.
I have been med free 4 years now. I become wiser and stronger every day

[Hottiedepressed]

Technically St John's Wort isn't a med.

unmedicated 10 or 15 years. My best coping mechanism is not to focus on whatever symptom I'm plowing through. Hope you are doing well. If not, I understand

[memson]

I've tried desperately to come off my med's, be drug-free, and avoid all the side-effects, but it always ends in disaster. I've tried several times and it's never gone well so I've kinda resigned myself to the fact that I'm probably a lifer!

[wiretwister]

still on lamictal and prn xanex but my dream is being med free,,once my coping skills are good enough

[ozzy1313]

I never want to go off my night meds of xanax and lamictal- they knock me out

[chaoticlibra]

I remember Lamictal was the only mood stabilizer that helped but I got a ridiculous rash with it and had to stop

[cashart10]

I desperately wish to be managing without medication. I managed for 8 years without medication just fine. I think I did so well because I believed I had been healed from bipolar and no longer had symptoms. Now they tell me that because I have severe symptoms I will always be on meds. Aren't all bipolar symptoms severe? Are my symptoms, minus the psychosis which has only happened twice in my life, the same as they have always been? Aren't my symptoms the same as they were prior to me being re medicated? I did just fine before. I don't know what to think. It's frustrating.