[Gabyunbound]

Since it's been over 2 years since I've had a full-blown episode of any kind (I had a 1-month depression a year or so ago, but frankly I'm not sure that was BP, though I can't think of anything triggering it), I have a feeling that I'm cured. I know that Bipolar is considered a condition that can't be 'cured' but I wonder what you guys think. Who knows, maybe it is? Or am I just one stressful event away from another episode -which is just depressing...?

I asked my pdoc last time I saw her if I was cured. She said there is 'remission' but not 'cured.' What does remission really mean? What do you guys think?

I think I found a cocktail that really works for me and I've even been able to lower substantially the Seroquel I was taking. I wonder if I slowly but substantially lowered the other AP, if I'd be okay too, and just stayed on the Lamictal. Though even despite my feeling that I might be cured, I'm scared to do that.

So what do you think (in general, not just me): Remission? Cured? Are they possible, what do they mean?

[CobolCapsule]

I would say your medications are just working, instead of being cured. Like you said there is no cure for bipolar, just medications that can help.
I would however always take the lowest effective dose of any medication. No point in being over medicated.
Good luck

[Hobbit House]

I had been 12 years without a episode, then last October I went full blown manic. It lasted about a month before it got under control. So, no I don't think there is such a thing as a cure yet... just remission.

[xRavenx]

Remission basically means stabilization where there is no evidence of any significant symptoms and that you are generally functioning well daily. There's always risk for flare-ups with BP, sometimes caused by stressors that trigger symptoms/episodes, so there's the need for regular monitoring.

Glad to hear you're doing well, and your meds must be helping, along with whatever you are doing in your daily life to stay healthy.

[Ocean Swimmer]

I agree.
When you least expect it an episode could happen. I think its chemical.
I've been on med cocktails,med free,high doses,low doses. Since I'm 19.

[BipolaRNurse]

As much as I wish it were possible, bipolar really can't be cured---only managed. I know when I'm stable for a long time I tend to believe I'm cured, but in my case that's only the meds talking; if I weren't taking them I'd be a bipolar hot mess!

I have been stable and completely off meds now for almost three years. I haven't even seen my pdoc or therapist in almost as much time. Remission? Cured? Who knows? I'll take it though.

[along4theride]

I don't have an answer, just what I've heard. BP can be managed at this point, not cured. So awesome - you and your doc are managing well right now! Yay!

[venusss]

I have been without significant symptoms for over year now... even longer maybe. I get moody and sad but nothing lasting and significant. Cured? Miracle?

[emgreen]

Originally Posted by CobolCapsule

I would however always take the lowest effective dose of any medication. No point in being over medicated.

What Cobol said. When I changed pdocs, he said I was way over-medicated. Unless I'm displaying manic or hypo symptoms there's no need to keep the AP levels so high. While I've had depressive symptoms several times since my last mania, the same goes for my ADs. It makes a great deal of sense to alter meds according to the state one is in. My old pdoc had me zombied out...No need for that crap.

[still_crazy]

I don't know. Honestly, I keep hoping and praying for the day when I can drop the psych drugs and call it a day. I read about people with Schizophrenia way back when they were still doing long hospitalizations. Some of them were in a group that was studied. They dropped their Thorazine or whatever down to low levels and did OK. Others tapered off completely and would only take it now and then, when they felt the need for a tranquilizer/antipsychotic.

People do taper off psych drugs and go on about their lives, we just don't hear about it. Plus, when "experts" find out, they'll say "it wasn't realy XZY, it was actually ABC," like saying it wasn't 'really' Schizophrenia, just a "personality disorder" or something.

I hope you can stay well, whether that's a "cure" or "remission" or whatever. I definitely hope you can get off the antipsychotic(s).

[Gabyunbound]

Originally Posted by emgreen

What Cobol said. When I changed pdocs, he said I was way over-medicated. Unless I'm displaying manic or hypo symptoms there's no need to keep the AP levels so high. While I've had depressive symptoms several times since my last mania, the same goes for my ADs. It makes a great deal of sense to alter meds according to the state one is in. My old pdoc had me zombied out...No need for that crap.

I agree with this. As I said, I've been able to lower my Seroquel a great deal; I need to due to falling asleep at the wheel and sleeping some 14 hours when it's not a workday. I don't seem to need it (I'm not at a therapeutic dose, it's more for sleep at this point anyway). I take another AP which, as my pdoc said, is 'covering me.' No need to overmedicate if not in an episode, if not on a roller coaster.

[Gabyunbound]

Originally Posted by still_crazy

I don't know. Honestly, I keep hoping and praying for the day when I can drop the psych drugs and call it a day. I read about people with Schizophrenia way back when they were still doing long hospitalizations. Some of them were in a group that was studied. They dropped their Thorazine or whatever down to low levels and did OK. Others tapered off completely and would only take it now and then, when they felt the need for a tranquilizer/antipsychotic.

People do taper off psych drugs and go on about their lives, we just don't hear about it. Plus, when "experts" find out, they'll say "it wasn't realy XZY, it was actually ABC," like saying it wasn't 'really' Schizophrenia, just a "personality disorder" or something.

I hope you can stay well, whether that's a "cure" or "remission" or whatever. I definitely hope you can get off the antipsychotic(s).

I agree. It just doesn't surprise me that -at least some- with schizophrenia were able to lower or take as needed meds. Pdocs don't want to admit (?) that this just might work, at least for some with schizophrenia, as with some with other MI.

[MissCathryn]

Ahh. I knew there was no cure, but didn't know there was a possibility of remission.

Learning new things every day about this rollercoaster known as BP

[Nammu]

It's been three yrs.....I've been flirting with that demon delusional magic thinking that, nope I don't have BP, it was just part of the PTSD and now I'm cured. But I've been there before right now life is pretty even and stable. Cured or remission..I choose to say remission and stay on guard and proactive.

[Gabyunbound]

Originally Posted by Nammu

It's been three yrs.....I've been flirting with that demon delusional magic thinking that, nope I don't have BP, it was just part of the PTSD and now I'm cured. But I've been there before right now life is pretty even and stable. Cured or remission..I choose to say remission and stay on guard and proactive.

This sounds reasonable enough to me. It's just that I remember myself a few years ago with classic BP episodes and now it's just so hard to see myself that way, like it couldn't have or didn't happen. But I agree that I should be proactive (take meds, go to pdoc appointments, and write down whenever I feel like I'm going into an episode -which I used to do- and be ready for anything that might happen). Knock on wood, I'll stay in remission for a good long while yet. It scares me. A lot. That I'm just a really stressful time away from an episode. Like I said, I try and control stress, but sometimes life throws things your way and there's just nothing you can do about it but handle it as best you can. I can always increase the dose of Seroquel, I have plenty, in case I feel something awful happening... This disease is so scary, and I've been longing to believe that I just don't have it anymore, because I don't want to believe that I could go through an episode again. Scary-scary.