[Woolly Bugger]

I have been on and off my meds all year now. A week or two on and a week or two off. So far, I haven't really noticed any difference. I'm fairly stable, although right now I might be mildly hypomanic. But how do you know for sure? Anyway, I'm thinking of going off for a long period of time, like the rest of the summer, while I am on vacation, to see if I am really bipolar or not. My psychiatrist would fire me as a client if he found out, but I am tempted to do it.

What do you think? Has anyone done this successfully? Thanks.

[Sliders]

In my experience taking myself off meds was an awful idea. A few days later I was either fully manic or falling into a deep depression. Thankfully right now I've find a med combo that works for me. It took 10 years. I wish you luck.

[Alisher]

Hi
I have clear periods between bouts, when I off of my meds.
If you have no hypomania nor depression right now what for take meds?

[Sunflower123]

I encourage you to stay on your meds. To stop and start meds or to go completely off could be a potential train wreck. You could end up in the hospital unless like the previous poster said you have clear delineations between episodes. Good luck.

[Alisher]

Originally Posted by Jennifer 1967

I encourage you to stay on your meds. To stop and start meds or to go completely off could be a potential train wreck. You could end up in the hospital unless like the previous poster said you have clear delineations between episodes. Good luck.

Happy to hear from you. Despite your depression you are participating in topics. Good for you.

[Guiness187055]

When I stop taking my meds it never ends well.

[Miss Laura]

I come off my meds like a yo-yo and it does have an effect on you. I recently stopped mines and felt fab. No side effects. But was told by my Psychologist it can take up to 4 weeks to see a difference in you. Again I strongly recommend staying on your meds. Your doing nothing for your mind or body by going off them and going back on them..... I know reading this you will think I am hypocrite but I need to listen to myself too.

Going off your meds should only be done under supervision from trained professionals ie Psychiatrist.

Sorry as this is probably not what you wanted to hear, but it's the truth

Hey Wooley, good to see you! It's been a while.

I've had flickers if this temptation lately too. Then I have some breakthrough symptoms and think,"Why would I choose to go back to this??!!". The agitation and all the havoc that wreaks, the energy levels that scare people, the disturbing land of the lows when all I think about is...

And so on through the encyclopedia of negative states and fallout. Life is hard and painful enough (at least mine is!) without throwing that kind of instability into the mix.

Is your situation is well in hand, support system in place and toolbox full of well-practiced techniques?

If not, fuggedaboudit. I don't automatically want to say,"stay on meds", so let me present a case from your post -- "fairly stable", "might be mildly hypomanic" (which can escalate quickly, esp. in summer and with no routine) and a Pdoc that is not only not onboard, he is in the dark.

You can guess where the balance of that comes out for me, the impartial observer. I really believe in how crucial the elements for success are.

No, I've never done it successfully.

[Moose72]

I want to get off my zyprexa because it gives me fatty liver disease. My Pdoc doesn't give a damn.

[Woolly Bugger]

Thank you for your replies. The problem is that I've been fairly stable for so many years now that I am actually starting to believe that I was never bipolar at all...

[Nammu]

I had a horrible time with medications, lots of side effects I quit the Merry-go-round and just concentrated on life style changes and working with a T. It was hard work but it did work for a number of yrs.....or maybe it was just a natural remission? Then the bottom fell out and by happy coincidence they had marketed latuda, best ever med for me. I'm not planing on quoting but that can change so my only advice is to engage a smart T to help keep an eye on mood swings. I've found a good T can help with that.

[Woolly Bugger]

Thanks. Therapy is one thing I haven't done in many, many years. I've never found it to be effective. Perhaps I should give it another shot before giving up on my meds.

[Alisher]

Originally Posted by Woolly Bugger

Thank you for your replies. The problem is that I've been fairly stable for so many years now that I am actually starting to believe that I was never bipolar at all...

May be they are meds which keep you stable for so long?

[Alisher]

Originally Posted by Woolly Bugger

Thanks. Therapy is one thing I haven't done in many, many years. I've never found it to be effective. Perhaps I should give it another shot before giving up on my meds.

I found therapy very useful. Especially so called cogestive therapy. It helps minimize the doses of my meds as well.

[Tkb1966]

My pdoc DID discharge me for stopping my meds. After 10 months I have finally found another one who takes my insurance. See her in Aug. I stopped mine because they weren't working. I still lived with depression and anxiety daily. Doubt of diagnosis I'm sure happens to many of us. Honestly I think it's a symptom of bp. Going off meds on my own was a mistake but my pdoc never listened to me. Hoping my next one will be better. Going on and off your meds every couple of weeks has got to be messing you up. I hope you feel better soon and find what works for you.

[Fuzzybear]

[Alisher]

Originally Posted by Alisher

I found therapy very useful. Especially so called cogestive therapy. It helps minimize the doses of my meds as well.

Oops. It should be cognitive (not cogestive ) therapy.

[Woolly Bugger]

Back on my meds. Going off of them lasted about two weeks. Started to feel shaky and the anxiety was beginning to climb. Happens all the time. I should know better.