But then I remember all the times I stopped taking my meds**

I really need to proofread before I hit the submit button

The medication loop-de-loo isn't in my personal baggage car, but I have similar loops in there where a proverbial devil pops out of my psycho cauldron saying, "You can let yourself ______ without going through the madness which it gave you the last time. Admit it. You REALLY liked it, didn't you?"

Bad Devil!!!! Not listening. . .

Yay you for talking about it instead of just doing it, Kisses. Hang in there. Stay the course until you have a new, clear and well supported course to follow.

Most BP'ers give up on this fantasy after they've learned the lesson the hard way a time or two in the early years of their Diagnosis.

The fact that you've done this before, you obviously know what the consequences are....and you know the time and energy it takes to get back on track....

And no, we don't all go there once in a while....a major component to managing this disease is learning from the mistakes you make and not making them again.

I am odd ball out i guess- i have never thought about going off meds as i remember what it was like unmedicated and the damage it did to my life--- i don't want a reocurrance--- i think of bipolar like my diabetes i have to take meds to manage my disease--((hugs)) polar

I never quite found the right med regimen not for lack of trying on my part. I'm grateful to take meds to sleep and that seems to keep me on the right course. Kudos to you Kisses for having learned so much!

I think alot of us do, kisses. And like arf said, the feeling of mania is amazing at the time and I think alot of us say "what if I could control it next time and not let it destroy me like last time?" I dont think anyone wants the depression to come back though and I know without my meds depression is most likely the first place I'd go.

Knowing I cant afford mania and I cant function in a depression keeps me on meds and still looking for the right ones.

I agree with what you're saying though, kisses. It's been a temptation before and will be again.

if your on meds for bi-polar and your doing fine you cant go cold-turkey especially is you been on them a while, it takes a month or more to get off them right. its a slow reduction just like it was a slow increase when you started them, week by week they lower it until you come in for a soft landing, if you were in a airplane you just dont shut off the moters and land softly youll crash same with your meds, reduce a little for a week if all goes well a little more the next week if all remains cool a little more, should take 3 to 4 or more weeks. depending on how much your on. and how long.

No I haven't considered it.

Please don't go off meds, even tapering them. It will all go horribly wrong.

Please don't encourage members in anyway to go off their meds either explicitly or by implication as we will remove your posts and DS will send a warning.

You make your peace with it, i personally find, as you grow older. I now know the challenges of this illness, and I know that over time med tweaks are needed. But I know to never go off meds without working with a doctor. When I do need a med tweak, my pdoc understands I hold down full time management work that I take very seriously and we taper meds and change things up when work stress is at its lowest. Because med changes are very difficult for me. Since adding a prn Ambien to my mix I can make changes without disrupting my sleep.

People have a lot of friggin opinions about psych meds and pharmaceuticals in general and the world of clinical trials, profits, stages of FDA approval and it can be messy, especially when you’re younger, knowing who to listen to with all this “advice.” But I cannot stress enough finding a medical team you feel comfortable with, whom you can communicate clearly with and collaborate together, and maintaining additional support systems. It’s tough, but it can be managed.

If you’re feeling good, kisses, that’s awesome. You’re working hard for stability so count your successes and maintain it! Big ((((hugs))))

I have absolutely made peace with this..... I accept totally that I have a chronic illness that's somewhat controllable with meds and other tools so I don't go there at all

Of course it would be nice if we didn't need the meds.... I hear ya on that kisses..... xo

Oh I’m not at all encouraging anyone to stop their meds! Fish you misunderstand. I’m simply wondering aloud. I don’t want to go off my meds but I can’t control every thought that pops into my head. It’s just that you all underatand, whereas my family would not. I just needed to talk it all out. Of course I won’t stop my meds but I just wanted to ask ideas I’m the only one whose ever night about it. Meds are good, people. Stay on course!!

I worked with a person who went of their meds. The results was not good.

Yes. It’s catastrophic. I went off my meds twice. Bad things ensued. I’ll keep my meds, thanks.

@ Kisses - the comment wasn't aimed at you.