Reaction to not taking meds

I've stopped taking my meds slowly along the past few weeks.
Immediately I notice my hypersexuality - or not so immediately. On the meds, I feel about 10% sexual which is great. Being off of them brings back my desire and I start to look at everyone differently. Even people I wouldn't normally feel desire for. I tend to realize it after I'm home and had a chance to think. Then I beat myself up for flirting with someone at my job. And vow to be more aware to prevent anything sexual between a co-worker. Even if it's just a comment. I don't want to take that route mostly because I've had romances at almost every job I've ever had. So I want to change that.

I guess at work I feel like I have to try hard to be the opposite of what I am - negative, creative, introverted, sexually driven. I'm walking around trying to be friendly because I don't want to lose the job that pays my rent. But it leaves me exhausted. And I often take things too far. I'm constantly researching how to improve social skills because it does not come naturally to me.

Being in a long-term relationship obviously took care of my sexual tendencies. And now since breaking up 8 months ago I'm often too lonely. It's the longest I've ever gone without sex. I think it's mostly because of the meds. So I guess to achieve my goal of not having any office romances, I should continue taking them. I clearly still need to be on them. I just wonder for how long. And when I will finally be able to be okay, just like a straight line without needing them.

Babyyyy, did you forget to take your meds?

The meds we take have all kinds of effects on sex drive. From destroying it completely to causing nearly nymphomania. These are one of the top side effects of these drugs. If your drive was low on meds it's possible that it's coming back now once you're off the meds.

Unfortunately it’s possible you’ll never be ok without meds. Some of us aren’t. I know I have to be on meds forever and I’ve made my peace with that. But I understand the desire to be med free. I hope your situation improves and one day you’ll be able to make it med free.

Yup. I'd love to be off meds. I tried few times with and without doctor's approval. every time it ended miserably.

I think if it really can put your job on the line then meds should be considered.. Have you tried just a lower dose ? enough to tamp down the possible problems involving co workers.

It's not possible to generalize when it comes to bipolar. I've learned that lamictal at therapeutic doses didn't prevent a manic episode, and lithium at doses I was able to take also didn't. I can take oxycarbamazapine but that knocks me out so after many relapses into psychosis I understood that I'll be on an antipsychotic for life.

Some meds are more important for long term stability than others. Which meds were you taking/ It's usually the ADs that diminish sex drive.

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Originally Posted by tecomsin It's not possible to generalize when it comes to bipolar. I've learned that lamictal at therapeutic doses didn't prevent a manic episode, and lithium at doses I was able to take also didn't. I can take oxycarbamazapine but that knocks me out so after many relapses into psychosis I understood that I'll be on an antipsychotic for life. Some meds are more important for long term stability than others. Which meds were you taking/ It's usually the ADs that diminish sex drive.

I've been taking Risperdal and Zoloft. I'm going to have to continue to take the antipsychotic for a while. I just didn't expect that medication was going to be officially apart of my life. But I'm learning more about this condition as I go along. Noticing all the signals of how to tell when I'm manic.

I stopped meds a few months ago and experienced a rapid return of my sexuality. They've tapered down quite a bit and I feel, for lack of a better word, "normal" now.

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Originally Posted by Northchild I stopped meds a few months ago and experienced a rapid return of my sexuality. They've tapered down quite a bit and I feel, for lack of a better word, "normal" now.

okay so it dies down... that's good. I know everyone reacts differently to meds but at least I see there's a chance. I don't want my life to be dictated by my libido lol.

Learning to recognize the signs of mania and dealing with it appropriately is a big factor in long term quality of life... i say that regrettably from the position of someone who took many times to learn.

Smart decision to stay on an AP for awhile. I'm not a big fan of switching more than one medication at a time anyway because on top of the changes in mental states intrinsic to the disease a person has to deal with the effects on the brain from each medication that is added or subtracted.

I have been both overmedicated and undermedicated...

okay update :
I got in contact with someone i used to know and somehow he got me to buy him tickets to a concert I'm going to. Completely impulsive. He said he will pay me in person so I'm hoping there's no excuse when I do see him. i feel completely uncomfortable now because I know that these are the signs of me giving into this manic side of me. I know exactly where it will lead and I'm going for it.
I'm so pissed at myself.

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Originally Posted by tecomsin Learning to recognize the signs of mania and dealing with it appropriately is a big factor in long term quality of life... i say that regrettably from the position of someone who took many times to learn. Smart decision to stay on an AP for awhile. I'm not a big fan of switching more than one medication at a time anyway because on top of the changes in mental states intrinsic to the disease a person has to deal with the effects on the brain from each medication that is added or subtracted. I have been both overmedicated and undermedicated...

Yeah that's exactly the way I feel right now. My brain is going haywire and in response I'm doing a lot of things I wouldn't normally do.

I have to forgive myself because these mistakes are bound to happen.

I completely relate to experiencing high impulsivity, including hypersexuality. I know this is much easier said than done, but please try not to be so hard on yourself. When manic, it is very hard (even impossible during full-blown episodes) to stay grounded and continue to make healthy decisions. The good thing is that you recognize some of the signs within yourself during this time, which is a step towards addressing it.

I constantly put myself down and need to learn self-compassion. One thing I do know, is that we are our own worst critic. (((Hugs)))
I hope you find relief soon.

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Originally Posted by xRavenx I completely relate to experiencing high impulsivity, including hypersexuality. I know this is much easier said than done, but please try not to be so hard on yourself. When manic, it is very hard (even impossible during full-blown episodes) to stay grounded and continue to make healthy decisions. The good thing is that you recognize some of the signs within yourself during this time, which is a step towards addressing it. I constantly put myself down and need to learn self-compassion. One thing I do know, is that we are our own worst critic. (((Hugs))) I hope you find relief soon.

Thank you, I feel a little better now. Lately I've been trying to think of at least one positive thing whenever I **** up. So I'm just going to try my hardest to focus on the positive outcomes of this situation.