Yes, I've been off meds for holy shit ten years now. But I used to go for years thinking I wasn't bi polar. Just off. Just weird. Just depressed. Just whatever.

And now I'm really fucked.

But I've tried to see the doctors. It just hasn't worked out.

I was in the market with my daughter and caught sight of a buy 1 get 1 in the vitamin isle. Knowing my diet consists of literally crackers and cheese unless my daughter is home, I knew I'd need something to help me just keep a normal level of anything in my poor nutrient-deprived body. And I saw the St. John's Wort...

And that St Johns Wort, well, he and I tried to hang out sometime after high school, after the insurance was cut off. I'm not sure if I kept making plans and ditching him or if he was just not cuttin' it for me, but I definitely did not benefit from him back then.

I was so fucking low for so many fucking months, getting into that *seriously* scary suicidal thoughts, where they're just so regular, so often and so ... day-dreamy rather than alarming... that I said fk it, I'll try anything. The doctors have canceled on me, what, three times? Let's go for it.

And I take it 2-3 times a day.

And I smile.

And I get the idea that I could possibly be gaining stability back.

As for anxiety... mood swings... deplorable emotions of no self worth...

all that's still there... but I've sorta leveled off. I'm kinda better.

This is info that Vicky put up and others added to that might be of help to you

http://www.dailystrength.org/c/Bipolar_Disorder/advice/8224882-advice-link-free-health/page-2

WOW SunCloud, Vicky's site list is AMAZING - thanks for sharing!

I still use meds to sleep but in tiny amounts exercise really did the trick for me in fighting depression.

I found alit of help through a Wellness Recovery Action Plan that helped me identify my triggers for both depression and mania.

Google "Mary Ellen Copeland" she came up with the idea the website is www.mental health recovery.com

Good luck in this endeavor it requires a lot of self monitoring.

I've never really been on meds and it's been really rough. I plan to try to get on them after I have my baby though. I have therapy sessions at least 3 times a week and I see a psychiatrist once a month or so. I don't know why since I'm not on meds and she has no intention of putting me on them. My student medical insurance card covers my visits to the therapist on campus so I haven't paid a dime. My other option would be a clinic or public hospital since those are much cheaper than a private hospital or doctor.

It is good... Thanks Space... I should put it up now and then but I forget about it until someone mentions that they're in need...x

My friend who has bipolar disorder takes St. John's Wort and she says it really helps her. Vitamin D3 is good too. I take 2000 IU a day of vitamin D3. I take meds so I don't take the St. John's Wort. My pdoc recommended upping my D3.

I take 3,200 vitamin D3 as an add on to my meds and i found it very good. I don't have to pay for it though. I get it free in this country.

Yeah, I've tried life without meds, but never succeeded and ended up on them again. I was off them for six years one time! But then I went through something horrible and ended up having a breakdown a year or two later and been back on meds ever since. But I've heard of others who have had success, guess it depends as we are all so, so different.

Most Counties or Cities have a Low Income Mental Health service. You can call your Social Services office to find out what services are offered and how you get in touch with them. Usually it goes by income or it's a very small co-pay, like $5 or $10 bucks. Can't hurt to give them a call. It's virtually impossible to manage BiPolar Disorder without medication.

Off meds almost 7 years

oh and it's not something I would tell people to do. I always say it's a crap shoot. All I can do is the foot work and hope it doesn't eventually bite me in the ass. *shrugs*

It was the best choice for me.

Remember MHMR? Mental Health Mental Retardation? Well it's been changed to ATCIC. It's in my city and it's a clinic where you can see a doc and your copay on meds is about $2.50 a prescription depending on what you need. Pdoc visits go on medicare which they put you on immediately and they are $20 a session. You might have to see a psych nurse first but keep asking for a doc.