well maybe you should reconsider your decision. be careful!

I don't feel distressed at all. I feel what I would consider the most "normal" since my initial crash.

I'm just wondering how I was able to just go on for so long doing absolutely nothing!

I guess it's time to get outside and go for a walk then. being on the computer can be trouble if you're bored.

I suppose I'm working my way up to that. lol. I have moved my whole computer setup outside as of now. It's a gorgeous day! I've been taking walks lately....that's a great idea!!

Hello HannaHana,

How long have you been off your meds?

I went off my meds about 2 1/2 months ago, and when I first went off I felt an incredible restlessness, it was kind of nice. I just needed to constantly keep busy and that was so unlike me.

Now I am sinking into a hole, for the last few days I am going through kind of a mixed mania thing I feel agitated, irritable, and depressed all at once.

I was planning on making other changes in my life when I stopped my meds to help with my bipolar, like eating right, exercise, therapy, support groups, or something, but I have done none of the above.

I have to make some changes soon or I know I am going to crash hard.

I wish you all the best :-)

Ah yes, I went through the same thing every time I've quit meds or become stable. It can be difficult resuming your life after such a long pause. It can almost be scary to take those first steps. I found myself planning and analyzing and even dreading what I needed to do so much I couldn't just DO it! Once I finally just started doing what I needed and wanted again instead of worrying about how long I went without, the rest was much easier.

Now is a great time to refine a new life routine. What's helped me is meditation, exercise, self-care, and daily practice on my guitar again. I put it down for so long while I was unstable. It feels really good to be playing it again. Maybe try picking back up and old hobby or trying out a new one : )

Yes like everyone says routine routine routine. Try to pay close attention to your moods without dwelling on them. If you feel a little down recognize that and take actions accordingly ie go outside, hang out with friends, or exercise. Don't get caught up dwelling about how ones mood sucks or it will drag one down quick. Like people said find activities to keep occupied just be careful not to take on too much to quick. Too many can wear one down physically and mentally (perhaps cause a sense of failure when not able to stay with said activity). If you can have someone else keep an eye out on you too so you can get feedback from both perspectives as to how you are doing. Good luck and more power to you :)

Hanna Hanna Hanna Hanna Hanna Hanna Hanna Hanna Hanna Hanna Hannna Hanna
I missed yesterdays post

the only time I take my meds is when I go for a blood assay 3 days of midsection every 6 months I think your going a little hypo keep an eye on things.

I don't know if you were on any anti-psychs but when I went off them boy did I come alive. They tend to really hold you down....

I'm sorry you are having so much trouble. I was diagnosed 12 years ago and have gone through periods of denial. Please reconsider your decision...at least have a sit down with your pdoc and voice your concerns...you might be fine a week you might be fine 3 months...but speaking from experience...it always comes back.

The restless you are feeling is a normal body reaction to coming of a drug induced fog, once your body becomes accustomed to functioning the way it is suppose to again, things will start to even out for you again.

Unfortunately this is one of the side effects of putting foreign substances into our bodies that do no belong there.

I have been Med/drug free for almost 11 months and have been doing much better since

A lot of people go through this "phase" when they learn they are bipolar; feeling better so they go off their meds....but be careful, because you are likely to crash soon afterwards...and usually either a severe manic or depressive episode...which often sends the message home that the meds are here to stay....however, the severity of each person's experience, ability to cope, etc. as well as each finding our own way through this maze, also dictates whether or not, how long, etc...one takes their meds....there are three main reasons in general for staying on them, though.,...

1) Although your meds will not eliminate your episodes entirely, they will help make them less severe and less frequent.

2) Along those lines, they help keep you out of the hospital, out of jail, able to have better relationships, etc....

3) and most importantly, your risk of suicide/fatal risky behavior is lowered significantly. Since mania lowers your inhibitions as well as alcohol, you can actually be more at risk than when you are deeply depressed and don't have the energy to follow through.

The choice of course, is always up to you. It can be very difficult to see the need for meds when you feel so good during mania, or just when you're feeling normal. But often, without the meds, life gets very rough very soon, and most of us learn it's worth the trade-off to stay on them. But that's not always the case....the only way to find out is to try it out. I was so, so beaten down by the time I finally succumbed to meds, I know there's NO WAY I'm going to go without them now. If I hadn't started taking them and stayed on them, I would undoubtedly be dead.

Just a side-note about suicide risk, it's known that at least 80% ( my guess is even higher) of suicides involve alcohol consumption. So, if you're not going to take meds, I STRONGLY suggest that you don't drink, either.

Hope this helps!!

Eve :)

Coming off your meds IMHO is a really bad idea. Keep in mind it takes about 2 months for the medication to leave your body. So it is likely you will have an episode shortly thereafter, Remember, even when you are feeling, bipolar disorder does not go away and will come back with a vengeance. I would recommend that you wisely consider your Pros and Cons before going off.

i did too for about a wk then all of a sudden things came crashing down real fast and hard!!! u better rethink this talk to ur doc