[Asteya]

I just recently went through a period of ‘I don’t need to take my meds, I’ve been fine. I will continue to be fine.’ I started eating sea veggies with lots of iodine and I do take zinc on occasion. Ideally, I don’t want to be on meds if/when I get pregnant. I know it will be a battle, but something I can overcome during this time period. (We will try in about two years, the odds of having a kid in your pretty much mid 30’s at that point I feel decine???) I also read and watched conflicting natural supplements that can help or ease the symptoms. Even ‘cure’ it, but that I mostly read is thyroid condition.

This also leaves me to a question: how many of you had your blood tested for vitamin deficiency, hormone abnormalities, or any other underlying health issues before your diagnosis?? I had to have it all tested, I was vitamin deficient, but it still did not effect my diagnosis. Where I’m at you HAVE to get tested for this and I fully believe in it. At least the program I went through.

So anyways, when I stopped taking my meds I was so emotional I broke my man’s huge framed print, I’m not even sure why, but I think and kind of know because I really did not like the energy I felt when looking at it. Come to find out, it was a partner print to his ex girlfriend’s and he didn’t really care for it anyways. It’s still out of control when you get to that irrational point and I’m glad to be regular on my meds. That is all. I can’t dwell on it, it happens sometimes, just something him and I work on. When he thinks I can handle it, he doesn’t regulate me on it. I guess it’s a good and bad, I need to be responsible for myself. I do need help at times.

I think most psychiatrists (preferably all) should definitely test their patient's thyroid function before any definitive diagnosis is made, but thyroid issues alone should certainly not rule out a bipolar diagnosis. Certainly not treating thyroid issues would likely prevent the desired "stabilization:". I believe most psychiatrists regularly test thyroid function when Lithium is taken, since Lithium is notorious for causing hypothyroidism. Even if not on Lithium, I believe an occasional thyroid test may be wise as part of a physical for a GP. A lot of people get hypothryoidism, especially, even without psych issues.

I don't know if ALL psychiatrists ask this, but I also think it is crucial that they ask about their new patient's drug usage. That could be an issue that may affect a diagnosis. As for vitamin deficiencies, I don't believe that's a standard test, though I did have a vitamin D level test years into my diagnosis because of lingering depressive symptoms. It turned out that my vitamin D level was just fine.

From all that I have read, there is no "cure" for bipolar disorder, at least not at this time in history. I believe that people can have long remissions, or experience only a couple of episodes in their lives (lucky suckers). But even in the latter case I don't think the bipolar is cured. I think it just doesn't flare up again. My psychologist has told me stories about cases where therapy, along with healthy lifestyle, and low (or properly managed) stress can ward off episodes, like a prophylactic. Though there are claims about supplements being helpful, I don't think many are scientifically proven, or they'd be regularly used. To my knowledge, the closest one to being talked about seriously is fish oil, and when doctors think it useful I think they prescribe a certain amount/formulation. I remember my dad also being prescribed a supplement of sorts for his depression (I think Deplin). I don't remember if it helped him. I think he quit it because it was expensive.

I do hope that you will at least occasionally consult with a psychiatrist and/or therapist during your period off of medications. Especially if the main purpose is for conception.

[Asteya]

Originally Posted by BirdDancer

I think most psychiatrists (preferably all) should definitely test their patient's thyroid function before any definitive diagnosis is made, but thyroid issues alone should certainly not rule out a bipolar diagnosis. Certainly not treating thyroid issues would likely prevent the desired "stabilization:". I believe most psychiatrists regularly test thyroid function when Lithium is taken, since Lithium is notorious for causing hypothyroidism. Even if not on Lithium, I believe an occasional thyroid test may be wise as part of a physical for a GP. A lot of people get hypothryoidism, especially, even without psych issues.

I don't know if ALL psychiatrists ask this, but I also think it is crucial that they ask about their new patient's drug usage. That could be an issue that may affect a diagnosis. As for vitamin deficiencies, I don't believe that's a standard test, though I did have a vitamin D level test years into my diagnosis because of lingering depressive symptoms. It turned out that my vitamin D level was just fine.

From all that I have read, there is no "cure" for bipolar disorder, at least not at this time in history. I believe that people can have long remissions, or experience only a couple of episodes in their lives (lucky suckers). But even in the latter case I don't think the bipolar is cured. I think it just doesn't flare up again. My psychologist has told me stories about cases where therapy, along with healthy lifestyle, and low (or properly managed) stress can ward off episodes, like a prophylactic. Though there are claims about supplements being helpful, I don't think many are scientifically proven, or they'd be regularly used. To my knowledge, the closest one to being talked about seriously is fish oil, and when doctors think it useful I think they prescribe a certain amount/formulation. I remember my dad also being prescribed a supplement of sorts for his depression (I think Deplin). I don't remember if it helped him. I think he quit it because it was expensive.

I do hope that you will at least occasionally consult with a psychiatrist and/or therapist during your period off of medications. Especially if the main purpose is for conception.

Anytime I’ve dealt with anyone new one of the first things they have asked is about blood testing, deficiencies, and thyroid. Of course they end up with my records, but not immediate when inquiring new docs. I’ve been on different meds for about 15 years, stable on one for almost 10. I get blood work done every few years now. You didn’t answer if you’ve ever had this test or done it, and I assume a lot of people on here have not from what I read.

[Aviza]

I was tested for deficiencies before I lost my mind and was vitamin deficient. B and D. But even taking over the counter when I took them and was off meds, weren't enough. They did help some though. Because my coworkers noticed when I wasn't taking my vitamins.

[Shazerac]

I’ve been tested for everything under the sun. (At my request) unfortunately it seems that my stupid body is fine! All signs point to me being biploar. Bleh! I’m always hoping for any easy fix.

All I ever had were thyroid level tests (gps, pdocs), a vitamin D test (pdoc), drug usage tests (ordered by pdocs), iron levels (ordered by a nephrologist), and the usual lot that a GP gives (cholesterol, trigylerides, creatinine, glucose level, etc.). I really don't know if your referring to any other hormone tests. I never had any other tests for deficiencies other than the above. The only other blood tests pdocs ordered were Lithium levels, Depakote levels, and Tegretol levels.

You said "You didn't answer if you've had this test done..." What is "this"? If you mean some specific test that measures all vitamin/mineral, etc. levels at the same time? No. I don't believe I have any vitamin deficiencies. I'm currently very healthy and stable (no depression and no mania). I did have an iron deficiency a while back that could have made me feel fatigued, but that was only because of heavy menstruation as a result of an IUD. Once the IUD was removed, my iron level normalized. I do have hypothyroidism, but I didn't have it before being on Lithium for about a year. I take Synthroid and my TSH/T4/T3 levels are fine.

[Unrigged64072835]

I was tested for thyroid and vitamin levels, glucose and cholesterol, and liver levels. Nothing pointed to deficiencies. I was still put on L-methylfolate, Vitamin D and Vitamin E by my pnurse for various reasons.

[Shazerac]

I think many people go through periods of “I’m fine I don’t need my Meds.” It’s kind of a visions circle because you may be fine because of the Meds.

[cool09]

Every time you see a new PDOC or enter the hospital they automatically order blood work to rule out all possibilities.

[pirilin]

When I was a health freak, I took 67 pills a day. What's a few pills now. I gulp 'em.

[*Laurie*]

I've had the standard blood work done many, many times in my life. I don't think I've ever had tests for vitamin deficiencies done, except maybe during my pregnancies. Hormone tests...no, except possibly after I had a miscarriage.

One thing I want to mention. I used to eat a lot of sea vegetables...seaweed, dulse. I love them. But since Fukashima I've stopped eating sea vegs. Here in California they usually come from the Pacific ocean and there's radiation in the ocean now, sadly.

[Asteya]

Originally Posted by pirilin

When I was a health freak, I took 67 pills a day. What's a few pills now. I gulp 'em.

Wow!! The most I took a day was 11.. or maybe 17 I don’t remember now. I didn’t believe in a multi vitamin then. That’s crazy.