I think that if you're stable without the meds then stay off of them. I wish you the best and hope you can stay sober and stable
Hugs

if you notice your moods changing id go back to see a different doc
if you think you where over medicated it does sound a lot but i don't take depakote so i wouldn't know

Some people can get along without meds and if you're one of them then good for you. But...the first 3 years after my diagnosis I'd run on a 14-month cycle. I'd go manic, be hospitalized, get out, take meds until I felt better, stop taking meds until I was back to mania and hospitalization. For 7 months of my cycle I showed no symptoms at all, then broke down into mania and depression. Just keep tabs on yourself. As far as I'm concerned there are worse things than meds!

You probably learned a lot of ways to deal with things rationally while on meds and off booze. Keep an eye on yourself, let your support group help you when they think you're in need of it, and don't bother going on meds just to please a doctor with blood work. If I were you, I would go in to the doc and explain what you just wrote here, and let him know you'd like to try to stay off the meds until further notice.

I think a lot of people get misdiagnosed or get the same treatment someone far worse off is recieving because the doctors percieve the patient to have more symptoms than they do for various reasons. Alas, this is said to be a progressive disease, so you really gotta watch it.

Also, I've heard of this "grace period" or a "honey-moon" type of time following the subtraction of meds. I was convinced I was fine after getting all that crap out of my body (I was on Depakote, which tastes like sweet vomit to me, and I saw a lot of people waaay over medicated with it, like WAY over medicated with it) because for six months after it was all gone, I lived a perfect life. I got angry, sure, but it was normal angry. I had sex, yeah, but I wasn't promisquious (spelling?) and I had a job that I once hated but coming back to it med-free was blissful and fun. To really let you know how well I was doing - my sister had a brain tumor, but I only cried a handful of times. I just was okay with life and death and everything in between.

I ended up where I wanted to be, which turned out to be a very bad environment, but regardless of where and whom I was with, I thought I had finally learned how to use all the tools to stay stable and happy no matter what. Boy was I wrong. Within a year or so I was back to suicidal thoughts and serious anguish. It's been a rollercoaster ever since, but I refuse to go back on meds. I haven't been hospitalized in ages, so I take that as a sign that I'm keeping my head above water and won't let myself drown.

I would say... stay off them since you've already detoxed (probably wasn't very fun, eh?). But I heard a douche-bag once say, "If you stop your meds once, end up going back on them... You're probably bipolar. If you stop your meds twice and go back on them for the third time, you're definitely bipolar." He was no doctor and I didn't like him at all, but that made sense to me.

Sorry this is so long and ever-so-self-centered :x
GOOD LUCK!

I just want to say that I was off meds for a couple of years 2 different times. I always ended up having additional episodes. That's just my personal experience.

That being said I was overmedicated at one point which is one of the reasons I stopped taking medication. I was also told that my gyno wanted me on birth control pills because of the risks associated with my medications and pregnancy. It scared the crap out of me knowing I wanted to have a baby. I was complacent and I didn't push the issue with my pdoc at the time.

If you think you're overmedicated then I think reducing the medications is a completely valid thing to do. In fact, I would insist on it with my pdoc now. I learned how important it is for me to speak up after my issues being over medicated followed by my instability a year and a half later.

Best of luck to you no matter what you do.

If you can get along with out meds then I would. Alcohol is a big factor in destabilizing me so it might be the same for you. My pdoc said no alcohol at all, not even one drink! It's a quick way to mania for me. However, one of the first things that I do when I start to get manic is go off my meds, I think I don't need them and all this is a bunch of BS. I've done this several times but at the time I just don't notice it, it all seems very rational to me. Best of luck to you.

I ended up cutting my meds in half becuase I felt flat. But I need my meds to keep my out of psychosis. If you can do fine without them then why try to fool the new pdoc that you are taking meds. Be honest with him/her with your state and your concerns. You are an adult there is no need to play games with your doctors. Good Luck

I quit meds too. I told my doctor after the fact. I'm okay. Staying sober and active in recovery is a must, but, I have also had to alter my diet. Sugar and carbs were giving me mood swings too. I can't afford to be lazy or overactive either. I still take xanax occasionally like every other week, because now my true diagnoses seems to be severe anxiety. I seem to try to get out of it any way I can. And I truly think it is at the root of my being bipolar. Couldn't find any of this out had I kept drinking! Pretty silly how doctors diagnose people that have no idea what they are really like. I've been sober a long time. I've been off sugar and refined food for 2 years. I still suffer from the disease I'll admit. But no more than I did when I was 'packing on the pounds' or otherwise feeling ill from side effects of meds. I have a very rough time though still. So don't expect an easy out, that's all. But by the sounds of it, you can be successful. People in AA are great help and many of us are dual diagnosed and those that aren't know those that are. It is a wonderful source of strength for me. Everyone should have a community of people who support each other. Best of luck.

IMO in recovery one learns how to deal with emotions by going through them rather than around them with their drug of choice. This is a big help in eventually stabelizing moods IMO. Still recovery and meds is what I personally choose. For you however, it may be different regarding the medication and I wish you well in both your recovery and the medication or lack of medication I guess I should say. HUGS

Oh and I should add that I do have episodes. Doesn't everyone? I don't do the damage I used to do however. But it is very hard on me. I have been hospitalized and it was awful. But I don't know any bipolar people who are also alcoholic who don't continue to episode and need hospitals once in a while to stay okay, and all of them are on meds. Just keep yourself and others safe no matter what.

Your rx sounds heavy indeed, but I would advise to be transparent and honest with your new doc and tell him/her that you are no longer taking Depakote because the side-effects were intolerable.

Building a trusting, long-term relationship with my pdoc has been a true life line for me - I honestly believe that I would not be here if it weren't for her willingness to listen and working so hard to get me on track.


They put me on1000 mg Depakote when I was first diagnosed 7 years ago and I couldn't function because I was nearly catatonic. I could barely get out of bed and did not speak at all. My Pdoc made adjustments and took me off the Depakote on Seroquel and Lamictal, which made all the difference.

Three months ago she added Prozac because because of paranoia, anxiety and lack of focus and I have been gradually improving ever since - I'm finally myself, maybe for the first time in my life.

I lived without diagnoses/treatment for 40 years and thinking back I believe my life could have been much easier had I had treatment early on. There was so much unnecessary pain and suffering one almost successful suicide and emotions so strong I could barely deal with them; not to even mention the people around me. Finally I almost killed myself by strolling on a busy highway during a full-blown psychotic manic episode.

The point I'm making is that I wold never go without meds again and that I am glad I patiently tried a number of options until finally, 7 years later, I am on a mix that works and I would not go without it. I never ever want to be in a manic state - I still shutter when I think about it - calling all kinds of people, saving the world because the spirit in the computer told me so.... I simply can't risk to ever go there again, nor can I take the sever depressions I had throughout my live, and if meds is the way to keep me happy, productive, and stable then so be it.

Go ahead off your meds IMHO we will see you again after your next inpatient visit soon to come. nuff said

I've been off of meds for 6 years, although I have occasionally taken a zyprexa for sleep esp. on prednisone before Christmas, which makes me quite hypomanic.

I think that anyone who is considering going off meds should taper down first and keep a mood chart. It is amazing what you can uncover about your triggers, and see the trends and the ways your environment influences you. I found out my depression in winter was actually Seasonal Affective Disorder, by looking back through my journals for nearly 20 years. I have had deep depressions at other times of year, but the SAD always hit in Feb. The last 3 years I have avoided it by going south to a warmer climate for a least a week each winter.

I also learned how to control my triggers, which basically were my husband and my daughter. I control them by not responding (I do not control them!!) and then I don't end up upset and in a panic. I have learned to minimize pity parties, and the mood chart has been a big part of this process. Of course there are other issues, like exercise, and finding some purpose in my life, but I confess much of it started with the mood chart.