[RozG]

ok just a curious question and hope nobody minds.

if someone is officially diagnosed as bipolar can they cope without meds?

i haven't taken meds for anything bar migraines since July 05 and don't intend to again either. but when i see my doc next week...asking me to take meds is gonna come up.

so...is there a way of coping without meds?

[PsyChris]

This is always a difficult question. It's not impossible for someone with Mild forms of Bipolar Disorder to go without using medication. It would be favorable that there periods of Mania and Depression were much longer (Months, Years).

Medication does help with Bipolar Disorder. Most people can tell you there is a sharp difference in being on the medication and off of it.

[RozG]

I have what I call rollercoaster moods on a daily basis...high, low, high, low. People here that know me know that. I just asked this question coz I'm starting to wonder how much longer I can stubbornly resist meds without going insane.

[RelientK]

Before I post, please understand that this is just my opinion. I am not a doctor.

I think most doctors would tell you that it is not possible to cope without meds. But, we'd expect that response from them anyway.

I think it is possible to cope without meds, but you have to be really strong willed and in a good place mentally. What I mean is - you'd have to follow a rather structured life and be lucky enough not to suffer from other mental issues like OCD, anxiety, etc.

Personally, I have tried the no medicine route and it didn't work for me. I tend to deal with my stress poorly. Once I have a continuous period of "high" stress, the mood episodes come on.

That's interesting that you have been healthy for a number of years without meds. Lucky you!

[RozG]

ermmm...nope, i haven't been well all these years...it's just been getting worse...now it's got to the point of unbearable. never mind i guess it was a silly question to begin with but thanks for your input.

[RelientK]

You gotta get on those meds then!!!!!

I hope you can find med(s) that help and are tolerable.

[RozG]

oh jiminy...i don't know where my heads at but i don't want meds. my last doc over-medicated me for 9 months before it was noticed and she was canned for it. i had to come off them cold and...i don't want meds again if i can help it. i guess there's no other way though huh?

[Razzleberry]

If you are Bipolar...you really need meds. That is one of those disorders that actually does respond to meds in most people, and without meds it's kinda hard to control on your own.

I also had a bad experience with a previous therapist/nurse that did meds. And it's taken me 2 years to realize this....but you just have to remind yourself that SOMEWHERE out there is a doctor or therapist who will be competent enough to help you. You need to put your trust in them, and if it's not working, get the courage to tell them what's really going on. One bad doc doesn't mean that no one can help you.

That said...I do understand the reasoning why you would be resistant to taking medication. Talk to a therapist, and see what other strategies they can help you come up with to fight this. Just don't try to do it on your own...you really need at least a therapist.

[PlanningtoLive]

I have been on meds since 01 and have tried twice to deal with things without them. It has never worked. I'm fine for a couple of months, and then wham! it comes back twice as bad.

I have realized that I can't be stable otherwise. It took a long time to find the right mix, but it can be done. Good luck with your appt.

Mary Alice

[trippinmickey]

I tell you what I would have been died with my meds. I was just so tried of living life just became to hard .But thats me I know lots of bipolar people not on meds. Myself i think they would do better on them .I think its what meds you get on and what you wont from them .I many take meds for my Dep. I like the manic side too much so i only take meds for that when I need to .

[onlymedid]

((((((KJ))))))
I suffered many years without meds, then I went on them for about a year and felt better than I had my whole life. The mood swings weren't gone, but they were not so bad.
Then I decided I would be ok without the meds so I weened myself off and I just crashed. It was so horrible.
I am now back on meds and working up the dosage as with this one you can't just start at 200mg. I am so glad I got back on them because I seem to be a little more "bareable" now. Not that everything is perfect, but it makes life a little easier to deal with.

BJ

[RozG]

Hi Razzleberry.

Yeah i do have a therapist, early days with her vut maybe i should mention it to her. My current doc is reluctant to put me on meds without the authorization of a psychiatrist because the damage done from over-medication before...but...omg i hate owning it...something has to be done so...yeah i think i'll start by having words with this therapist.

Thanks for taking the time to reply.

[RozG]

Thanks Mary Alice.

[RozG]

Thanks for your input trippinmickey. Hope you're ok today?

[RozG]

Thanks BJ, i think i've got to the point where i know i need them...i'm just reluctant...guess that's why i posted...for other folks input coz my head's kinda screwed atm.

Hope you're being good to yourself today?

[ziggy1]

Hi (((((K_J))))) do the benefits outweigh the side affects???

All those psych meds always changed me into a different person.

Some actually gave me memory loss. So I quit them all, except for

xanax when I need it. I also gave up driking for good Last

Valentines....That made a huge difference to!!! So I guess this

is something you have to ask yourself about Meds.

Hope it works out for you....

[RozG]

Hi ((ziggy)) the only time i was given meds made me like a zombie for 9 months according to my friends....i don't remember a thing except....friends eventually got me to understand these meds my doc had me on for 9 months weren't supposed to be used for any more than 4 WEEKS max. she wouldn't wean me when i asked her so i quit cold.

and though i occassionally feel like drinking...when i'm really ticked off...i don't drink even at new years...so i don't gotta worry about that affecting meds.

oh bosh...i just don't know where my head is on this one...i don't wanna be reliant on meds to function...i'd feel like a junkie..yet i'm totally not coping atm. grrrrr....

thanks for your input, it all helps.

[NSaneDaughterWV]

You really need to get medications if you're Bipolar trust me. I can't be without medications because I'm not the same person... I'm totally a different person without my medications I can't even control my Bipolar Disorder/Depression Problems (since I'm really emotional too) without medications tried it (I even tried drinking alcohol too wasn't a pretty sight thought I could get rid of my problems) that didn't help either. So I found a new doctor got on new medications went back to school like a technical college graduated and now I'm getting ready to go back too college hopefully online classes too.
So yea, I stopped drinking, got the help I needed, I start my counseling next week, I'm currently engaged, I'm getting ready to either this year or next to move in with him and all that so yea, I'm really so happy. But lately I been having some problems I haven't really been talking to anyone about how I feel I keep thing's build up and on and on until I just about snap.
So yea medications is in need I tried without didn't cope without them, but with them I cope alot better, get along much better with people so yea I'm always there for people, my fiance' helps me to take them so I been ok at taking them without them I'm a person I don't even know.

[RozG]

Thank You for your input. I am starting to accept that i do need meds to cope. I've tried coping without them since summer 05 and it's just getting worse, so it's good to hear from people like you who've tried it both ways as well.

I'm really glad things are much better for you now.