[cwgrlyipp]

I think I've made a mistake!! I've been compliant with my treatment for at least 2 years..taking Meds/therapy every week/to every other week/to 1x a month! A few weeks ago I decided I didn't need the Meds anymore (already feeling depressed and exhausted,) and stopped taking them. I've not told my doctors (yet) as I have an appointment next week.... but I feel terrible!! I'm battling myself..thinking there could be a natural 'fix' or cure. Im disappointed too... Im all over the place and it sucks!!

[99fairies]

My sister is a health nut and thinks my bipolar can be better treated with natural supplements. I've tried some but they either made things worse or did nothing at all. I take magnesium and calcium but always run it by my pharmacist to make sure there are no interactions with my bipolar meds. I tried omega before but it gave me very bad brain zaps... kinda weird and no idea why. I mostly just stick to what my pdoc prescribes. Hope you feel better soon.

[UpDownAround]

I have quit meds several times. Never worked out. There are natural cures that work, but they go through a lab so they can get the dosage right and then they call it medicine. I have been down that rabbit hole with St John's and a host of others. GNC has a whole shelf full of "alternative mood medicine". I tried several things to get me out of the depression I spiraled into when I quit my meds without success. YMMV...

EDIT to add - I also did a few mail order herbs that were supposedly psychoactive and it turned out you could get high legally with a few different things, but it did nothing for the depression.

I did the same thing recently. I went off my antipsychotic (4 weeks ago) and my therapist told me I was manic. (I didn't realize I was.) Then I became VERY sick 2 weeks ago and it caused me to crash prematurely. Now I have suicidal thoughts.

I recommend trying a support group if you can. I tried a crisis hotline last night and I didn't like it (I made a thread about it), BUT it may help you. It's worth a try IMO. I definitely didn't feel any worse after trying it.

I'm suggesting that because even if you did find a natural treatment, it wouldn't kick in instantly.

P.S. You should ask your dr about natural treatments (so you might as well tell them in advance about your non-compliance). Or at the bare minimum, ask the pharmacist. You don't want any med interactions.

I have read so many times that going off of meds because you don’t think you need them anymore is reallly common with bipolar. Then things go awry because of it.

I fleed from being medicated or even accepting the diagnosis years ago, and I suffered because of it. I know I really need my medication and to really work on home I view things.

I don’t know about natural remedies, except I tried st john’s Wort many years ago and felt nothing

[WildcatVet]

Sorry, if they worked so well we wouldn't be taking our meds that do work mostly well...if...when... we take them.
I will never stop again...can't handle discontinuation AND rebounds...

[~Christina]

I dont know a single Bipolar that didnt toss meds out including myself !

If I want off meds in the future I will work with my Pdoc to slowly taper off one of the ones that seems to do nothing.

Do you think you should go back on meds at this point? Many meds you need to start over and slowly increase dose

I hope your feeling better soon , Bipolar cycles

[Shazerac]

We all go through that. in a way it's a sign that treatments and meds are working. We start to feel "normal" and think meh, I don't need no stinking meds. Woopsie.