[FracturedPieces]

I have Bipolar 1 and I stopped meds 2 months ago. Before you react in horror (lol) please know I had my reasons.

Unfortunately I was triggered recently and Im really struggling again. I am wondering if anyone here is able to treat their bipolar with a mood stabilizer alone.

Of course each person is unique. I have tried my fair share of medications and loads of therapy. I do not like the way meds make me feel. Any of them. However this is a painful acknowledgement that going without isnt working so well either. Stuck between a rock and a hard place. Pushing myself to try again.

Is it possible for a mood stabilizer to help on it's own? I have been on a lot of meds, so at this point if I could find something to take the edge off, I might be able to use skills to handle the rest.

[fern46]

I don't have a lot of experience with meds to offer. I take an antipsychotic and a very low dose. I haven't had any more psychotic episodes, so I am grateful it is working. I just wanted to offer my support. I know it is hard to take meds when they make you feel off and cause so many unwanted and unhealthy side effects. I think you are brave for recognizing that you might be better off trying again though. I hope you find something that works and helps you maintain a baseline you can be happy with.

I also think it is great you are willing to use your skills as well. Maintaining balance is about so much more than just taking meds. Hopefully your doctor will take that into account if you go back and ask for a med adjustment. My doctor has been very cool about factoring in all of the lifestyle changes I have made and the fact I have a solid support system into his decision to keep my meds at a low dose. I am very sensitive to medication and I didn't want to feel like a zombie all the time. I wish you luck and hope you find something that works well for you.

[Victoria'smom]

Quetiapine is the only FDA approved mono therapy. I take solely abilify. There's also symbyax which is zyprexa and prozac together in one pill. However these are all antipsychotics. Maybe lithium would work IDK. I would ask your dr to start at one medication at a time on a low dose and work your way up. Zyprexa made me quiet, withdrawn, slow, and tired Abilify has not.

[lacerta]

I've been on Lamictal only for a period of time when I was stable. Never after I dropped my meds and never when my depression got beyond average to bad. Never beyond slight hipomania. Since you have not taken meds for a while, from my perspective it does not seem reasonable to rely on single med as stabiliser.

[Blueberrybook]

I'm BP I with mixed features. I always seem to have to have an anti-depressent, a mood stabilizer (usually Lamictal), and an atypical AP. I really wish I could do without the AP, but take it away, full mania blows right in...

[~Christina]

Lithium is the gold standard first med made specifically for Bipolar. It works both for highs and lows for some people. Lamictal is actually a seizure medication that was found to have effects on depression, it does virtually nothing for hypo/mania.

I think many people get put on AP’s to help with insomnia that often happens with Bipolar

[MickeyCheeky]

I don't have a lot of experience with medication either, FracturedPiece, but likely all the other wise, wonderful posters have already gave you some WISE, WONDERFUL ADVICE! TAKE IT TO HEART IF YOU CAN! As for me I can only suggest to go back to trying Meds if you can and if you see that being off them is not really helping you! Some people can take LOTS OF TIME before finding the right Meds combination for them so it DOES take patience! I'm sure there IS something out there for you! Keep looking for it and I'm sure YOU'LL FIND THAT! Keep asking questions if you need ANY HELP AT ALL! WE'RE HERE TO HELP YOU! WE'RE HERE TO SUPPORT YOU AND WE'LL NEVER ABANDON YOU! THAT'S A PROMISE! Keep us updated on your situation if you can and want to, ok? WE ALL CARE ABOUT YOU! THAT'S A PROMISE! WISH YOU THE BEST OF LUCK IN YOUR JOURNEY! I hope you'll find what you're looking for! KEEP FIGHTING AND KEEP TRYING YOUR BEST! THAT'S ALL WE HUMANS CAN DO AFTER and it's ALWAYS more than enough! WISH YOU THE BEST OF LUCK IN YOUR JOURNEY! YOU'RE CARED FOR AND LOVED HERE! THAT'S A PROMISE! Sending many AWESOME, kind, safe, sweet, warm, wise and WONDERFUL HUGS TO YOU, FRACTUREDPIECE, JUST LIKE YOU ARE! THINGS CAN AND WILL GET BETTER ONE WAY OR ANOTHER! THAT'S A PROMISE! PLEASE BELIEVE THAT AS MUCH AS YOU POSSIBLY CAN BECAUSE IT IS TRUE! PLEASE REMEMBER THAT AS MUCH AS YOU POSSIBLY CAN BECAUSE IT IS TRUE AND YOU KNOW THAT EVEN IF IT'S DEEP DOWN INSIDE YOU! KEEP LOOKING FOR THAT! YOU'LL FIND IT! THAT'S A PROMISE!

[BlindBetta]

I have been on only lithium carbonate for over a decade with no issues. Course I am am a bit of a weird one bipolar wise.

[AspiringAuthor]

Originally Posted by Miguel'smom

Quetiapine is the only FDA approved mono therapy. I take solely abilify. There's also symbyax which is zyprexa and prozac together in one pill. However these are all antipsychotics. Maybe lithium would work IDK. I would ask your dr to start at one medication at a time on a low dose and work your way up. Zyprexa made me quiet, withdrawn, slow, and tired Abilify has not.

Zyprexa is actually approved for monotherapy. I take a lowish dose of 7.5 mg and am hopeful that with some modifications I might be able to go down to 5 mg (the FDA approved dosing range for Zyprexa is 5-20 mg). I am perfectly functional on it. Mood stabilizers alone - it depends. On this board most people take antipsychotics. You cannot figure it out without trying. Hard, I know.

[FracturedPieces]

Thank you for all the feedback. I have an appt next week with my doctor. I guess my primary issue is that I have always been prescribed 3 or more meds at a time. Never just one. Then come the side effects. I dont know what helps and what hinders.

Im frustrated and discouraged. An ease of symptoms without becoming a zombie is all I want.

[FracturedPieces]

In case anyone is curious, my doctor did agree to allow me to try a mood stabilizer alone and see how I feel.

Im starting lamotrigine, which is an anticonvulsant used to stabilize mood in Bipolar. Fingers crossed!

[fern46]

I hope the new med works out for you and you find the stability you're looking for.

[Blueberrybook]

I hope it helps.

[Underdevelopment]

Good part about Lamotrigine is you'll know whether it works or not fairly quick. For me it's been good although I didn't manage a mono treatment. Near nil side effects.

Hope it works well for you.