[unpredictable]

If you are bipolar do you have to take meds? Do people who are bipolar ever do okay without them?

[Moose72]

I am on Depakote. I asked my pdoc today if my relapse/latest episode of mania was a result of my Depakote levels being too low, or withdrawl. I.e. was it the bipolar doing that or lack of meds. She said it was the bipolar itself. Hope this answers your question!

[ehrhar]

Personally, I have never done well without the meds. I've been off of them twice during fits of obstancy. I regreted it every time.

[Schatje]

As bipolar is a chemical imbalance meds are pretty much essential to its treatment. It is usually suggested that medication combined with therapy of some sort is the best option to manage bipolar. I personally don’t know what I would do without my meds. I’ve tried several and have had to go off of them for many different reasons and found while I wasn’t medicated I was much worse off. Right now I’m on Lamictal and it is the best thing I’ve tried yet. I feel great! I wouldn’t trade the way the drugs make me feel, and how they have affected my life for the better, for the world.

[Moose72]

I am on meds. Everytime I miss a dose, I feel it. I missed two or three doses a while back and went into a full-blown mania. Not fun.

[AAAAA]

I don't think I've met anyone with bipolar that can do well without the meds. My mania (at least in my mind, my husband might beg to differ) is not a problem, it's the depression that cripples me. And each low is deeper and worse than that last. Thoughout my life, I've only gone for treatment when I've been depressed. I'm on Seroquel and for the first time in 25 years, I haven't been battling depression, mania or anxiety.

That isn't to say that I've been on medication the entire 25 year history. I'd seek treatment for the depression specifically suicidal depression, start to feel better, quit taking the meds and cycle all over again. It's only been the last 10 years that I've accepted the fact that I need the meds all of the time.

[sweetangel]

i'm on lithium and i freak out w/o it.

[3kittycat]

I am bipolar II. I was not able to conquer my alcohol addiction without the proper diagnosis and treatment. I spend most of my time in depressed states but have experienced a couple of hypomanic episodes and one mixed episode. I was constantly suicidal without the proper meds. I take Abilify, Effexor, and Ambien for my condition. The only time I will be going without meds is when I desire to get pregnant. When I do, I will be sure to attend a lot of AA meetings, see my therapist a lot, and still see my pdoc. I do not look forward to living with this disease unmedicated.

[Peerless]

I was just put on IC budeprion XL. I used to take welbutron XL so im a little scared about switching to the new pills. Honestly though, I tend to use my love of weed as my medicine, which I know i shouldn't do.

[StressCadet]

I have done a little better since I started taking Seroquel along with my zoloft, xanax, ambien, and assorted meds for high blood pressure and cholesterol.

I was only diagnosed about a year ago, but based on my history, It looks like I've had it for many years. I had a major problem with spending. I bought and traded new cars on a whim. It eventually caused me bankruptcy.

I was first put on lamictal, but it made my severe anxiety even worse. The seroquel seems to be helping. I make myself take my meds, even when I don't want to.

[iamtwilight]

I'm on lithium carbonate, citalopram and risperidone.

I take lithium carbonate and citalopram for bipolar, risperidone is for psychosis.

I look forward to the day when I can manage without meds, or just with a mood stabilizer (lithium carbonate).

My parents know people who are only on lithium, and their bipolar symptoms are completely gone.

[Shyguy88]

I cant function without my meds, even right now im trying to get on a right combination of medications and its hard for me to function, so I'm going through a rough time. But when im stable and on working meds I wouldnt ever stop taking them.

[Gianna]

I've met lots of recovered people who were once diagnosed bipolar and do not take meds anymore.

I am withdrawing from all my meds after 20 years. Meds made me sicker in retrospect.

Those of us recover disappear or become big anti-psych advocates and then the two opposite groups---those who use meds and those who choose not to but who do well never talk to each other.

I talk to both groups. There are many successful people who chose not to take meds.

There are many alternatives to meds, but most doctors don't know anything about them and tend to discourage them.

My blog is my journey off meds. On it there are many resources to other blogs of people off meds and there are also stories of recovery.

I hope someone will find it useful and perhaps it may open someones eyes to alternatives. I think we all deserve choices.

http://bipolarblast.wordpress.com/about/

[butterflywings]

I am bi polar II and have missed 1-2 doses and had episodes as a result. I am on epival and clonazapam to help manage the bi polar and aniexty disorder i also have. from everything i have read in the last year since being diagnosed is that you should get on meds and stay on them. like AAAAA said for me its the depression that hits the hardest, I can handle the hypomania and mixed episodes but without the meds stabilizing me I couldn't deal with another depressive cycle.

[wildchild]

I was wondering if there is anyone who is taking Abilify and if it seems to work for them. I am only allowed to take mood stabilizers. No antidepressants. Are there any all natural drugs that a person can take for bi polar that really work without all the side affects? Thank you

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wildchild said:
I was wondering if there is anyone who is taking Abilify and if it seems to work for them.

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Wildchild - I tried Abilify and hated it. It made me so agitated I felt like punching walls. I am on Lithium and Seroquel, but wanted to try Abilify because it is supposed to be weight-neutral....It was terrible for me.

That being said, remember drugs work differently for everyone. But I did know a couple other BP 1 people who had the same trouble with Abilify.

Good luck.

[3kittycat]

I am on 15mg of Abilify at night. I had a hard time for a day or two getting used to it, but now I tolerate it well. I was taking 5mg but it was increased to the 15mg for a hypomanic episode. I have not had any weight gain due to the med. The sleeping issues went away quickly.

I am BPII. I struggle mostly with depression. The wonderful thing about Abilify is that it has anitmanic and antidepressant effects. I am only on 75mg of Effexor right now and will be d/cing it soon. I would love to be on only one bipolar medication.

If you ever end up on an antipsychotic remind your pdoc to run a fasting blood glucose every once in a while. I ran a high blood sugar on only 1 mg of Risperdal.