Bipolar Disorder Support Group

Bipolar disorder is not just a single disorder, but a category of mood disorders marked by periods of abnormally high energy and euphoria, often accompanied by bouts of clinical depression. This is the place to talk about your experience with bipolar disorder, learn from others' experiences, and find support.

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I need your help.

grenadine
grenadine
Has anyone ever tried going off medicine? Does anyone ever yearn to be off of it?

I've gone off of my medicine maybe 4 times and a few times I've ended up in the hospital, each time I've had an extreme experience of psychosis and mania and depression.

I yearn to be off medicine everyday. But there is such a risk. I'm even coming to the point where I'm considering homelessness if I can be off medicine. I feel like it is a duty in life for me.

Remind me again why I should stay on my medicine? Please.
Marilyanna
Marilyanna
THE BEST THING I MIGHT SUGGEST IS TO WRITE UP A PAGE OR TWO IN YOUR OWNSRIPT AS TO WHY YOU SHOULD STAY ON THEM. AND THEN READ IT EVERY MORNING. sorry baout the caps
BipolarPrincess
BipolarPrincess
I'm going off mine because I am TIRED of being zapped from energy, tired of the loss of libido, tired of sleeping all the time, and just being an overall zombie. I am flat when on them and I just can't stand it. I've had five years of being flat off and on and I wasted 5 years of my life. Also my husband is happier when I am not medicated. He likes the unmedicated me more. He told me he's extremely happy that I decided to go off meds for good unless I really can't stand it.....if the psychoisis comes back, I will think about going back on meds. But I am tired of gaining all of this weight....which is another side effect of taking meds...I am sorry but I am questioning my diagnosis. That's the whole reason why I decided to go off of them. I am in denial as well.
grenadine
grenadine
Wow bipolar princess.... I couldn't agree with you more. That's exactly where I'm at! The flatness.. the weight gain, acne... i just don't feel myself on medicine. No matter how many friends and family say I look great and seem like I'm doing so well... I am flat and unhappy.

But I am considering what the people on this blog are talking about... they know what the deal is too...


Afeantioewhtoajitahstr
deleted_user
deleted_user
Like most, I would do anything to be off meds. But with my situation, it's just not possible. First, the withdrawal would be unbelievable, then my mood would immediately destabilize and I would become suicidal again. I have to be on maintenance meds to keep me out of the hospital and fairly stable. They are a necessary evil, at least until there is another alternative. Good news - there is so much research being done now for us, hopefully there will come a time when we have an alternative to meds. I'm sure we're all together in supporting that!
grenadine
grenadine
the thing is i have never been suicidal (except on depikote) i have been hospitalized for being psychotic i guess... like hilucinating... dillusion.... but i'm not dangerous to myself or others. i can imagine i'm just a pain. and hard to understand sometimes.
deleted_user
deleted_user
If your meds are making you flat and unhappy, you are on the WRONG meds.

Topamax used to be my wonder drug.....my family told me that I was so much better when I was on it. I have taken it off and on for about 5 years now....but a few months ago, it started making me numb....as in scary numb....suicidally scary numb. So I went off the drug.

Now I'm working on finding a new drug cocktail that works. So far, so good.....

Keep on trying. If you're not happy on your meds, tell your pdoc that you want to try something else. (((HUGS)))
deleted_user
deleted_user
Staying on meds is about the only way to keep your self relatively stable for this damn evil disease. Like you when I've decided to go off one of two things happen, I either end up in the hospital or I end up trying to kill myself. I just stay on them now and do okay sometime but sometimes like now, not so good.