go to a naturopath and discuss suppliments. I use omega oils, combined with a huge b complex, rhudiola and valerian for anxiety. (valerian root is to help you sleep). HOWEVER, these will not work immediately. AND you must wean yourself off your current meds. please dont stop cold turkey...the blast to your system will be terrible.

a naturopath with bipolar specialities will help you. there may not be a cure herbally for you but maybe it will help some.

Thanks a lot......I have some Valerian Root around......been using it to help me sleep when I was on abilify......now that I am weening myself off I will be using up that bottle of Valerian Root I have for anxieties only. I have PTSD and anxieites to run a truck through......

Princess

Princess, I respect your decision to go off meds but please make sure it is for the right reasons. That said, I agree with going to a naturopath or health food specialist. I take several supplements along with my meds and you have to be very CAREFUL with some supplements that DO NOT mix well with your psych meds like St. Johns wort.

You can try omega 3,6,9...vitamin D...vitamin B complex, valerian root, melatonin, a multiple vitamin, St Johns wort for depression, probiotics plus to aid with the digestion of these supplements.

Insurance does not pay for these and they can be very expensive. It is not wise to go off all psych meds at once or you WILL trigger an episode. Check with your pdoc to see if she will support your decision, I know that mine would and has in the past.

xo

I am not bipolar, but my dad is bipolar and schizophrenic and has been off meds for over a decade...he has his moments but he is making it ok...

If you want to go the natural way(and btw I believe that there is always a natural alternative to modern meds)then aside from the very good advice to see a natureopath/homeopath I also suggest that you look into meditation, possibly yoga, and martial arts of some sort...the thing about it is a healthy mind is often the reflection of a healthy body and vice versa...aside from herbs to go the natural route you will need to change your diet, your excersize routine, and your lifestyle for you to get the best possible results...you might even consult a martial arts instructor as well as a natureopath...also check with a chiropractor as they also have options for dealing with things like bipolar...my dad even looked into accupressure...

My dad is treating his bp fairly successful with herbs alone...he also implements meditation, proper excersize, and other natural paths...he is 80 years old and is also naturally treating prostate cancer(successfully for a decade)and heart disease. The day he decided to "stop being a walking medicine chest and take control of my own body, the zombie stops here." was the day he started on a journey that has benefitted him in more ways than I believe he initially believed.

It IS possible...IF it's done RIGHT from the beginning. I know because I have seen it work first hand. Good luck to you.

Oh and btw, my dad also stopped his meds for scizophrenia when he stopped his bp meds. Yes, he hears voices and the other things that go with schizophrenia, but as he says "Just because I hear them doesn't mean I let them boss me around." lol...another big part of his success is his sense of humor ;-)

This is a message I sent a friend, copied and pated here.

These are what we use:
Research it and find what works 4 you though.


http://www.healthywarehouse.com/herbs/single-herbs/maca.asp

http://www.healthywarehouse.com/vitamins-minerals/whole-food-supplements/ultimate-greenzone-powder.asp

http://www.healthywarehouse.com/stress-relaxation/nutri-calm.asp



I suggest these things because they are not going to make him manic. When my husband was manic this still had his body acting right, which was a huge change for him.
Ultimate green Zone is a super food suppliment, can be taken in pills or put in a drink. You can take the pills by the handful! Very good for you stuff.
Fish Oil is a natural anti depressant. However it has mercury. Which Is why I suggest the clay. http://www.aboutclay.com/clay_info...
It will pull the toxins out of his body, but it will not nourish him. That is why my suggestion is at night, before bed time lots of water, I take it in capsules w/ a couple of quarts of chamomile tea. Foot and hand soaks help, facial masks, all that assist, but igesting will pull the toxins out of your gut.

Maca is an adaptogen. Helps you adapt and has loads of B vitamins, very nessicary for him right now.

I also take something called NutriCalm. It has lots of Bs and some valerian. Valerian made my husband sleepy, I am so high strung I'd have my coffee and a couple valerian to take the edge off. Also, in the state he is in, this takes time, if it is working he will fell better in a few days or at the end of a week(not cured just better)over time he may feel able to deal. Counseling is really the element missing here though. BP or not, even if he isnt on the roller coaster, he wont be dealing well. Probably lots of bad thinking there.

Actually this has worked well for me w/ depression and anxiety.

Customary warning, This is just what we do, it has been working for us. I cannot make any claims other than the average claim about how eating better is good for you.

A vitamin I would suggest is the Melaleuca vitamins. You can order them on ebay. The company Melaleuca wants you to sign up by monthly, Amway style, but the vitamins are good. You may also want to be mindful of the chemicals in your home, they may send him spiralling. The house gets a good cleaning w/ pinesol and the next day he crashes, or rages, Just keep an eye out. My best friend avoids depression from chemicals by just using gloves. All together it is good healthy stuff to do that wont hurt anything. Just for kicks, I found company that provides natural soaps and cleaners at a good price, and you can just try it for like $20. It is the five star soap company.

**BP Priceess,** coming off meds is HARD on your system. I had about 7 months of SEVERE anxiety and depression from Ambien. I only had 30 capsules that I took over about 4 months. Just a sleep aid totally fucked me up. BE CAREFUL AND MINDFUL! Also, excersize or just sunlight (even tanning) can do you you a world of good. Best of luck.

I use Fish oils, you need to be careful about the mercury levels and all that jazz.. do your research..
also I use ultimate greenzone, maca and a good B complex ...
You might want to stay away from 5-htp and stuff like that, it made me manic, very bad not good at all.. sooo that being said, do your own research, and don't fail to do it. you can't just take things that are suggested for depression and the like as some of those will make you manic too like st. johns wart... but your millage may vary.. good nutrition, lots of water and plenty of sleep are your best friends.. I took meds for about a week... just can't live drugged up even if I will "get used to it"..

Life Extension Foundation, google it, has advisers that are very knowledgeable and you can talk to them for free if interested can join and get great discounts on their products..................

I also like the naturopath idea too!

Thanks everyone! I took 2000 mg of fish oil today instead of my morning meds and feel a ton better! My zeal is coming back. I am much happier taking that then being the ZOMBIE. The only reason why I want off meds for good is because it turned me into someone I can't stand to be around......I want the happier me back.....when I wasn't taking anything. I am going to the herbal store today to talk to my friend margie. She runs the store. I have been friends with her for years and I don't think she will stear me in the wrong direction......My friend Ruth is happy that I decided to stop being the zombie.....she wants the old me back too.......I WAS FIESTY.....before I started on the route to meds......I am no longer fiesty.....I am reigned in and I am tired of it.

Thanks for all of your replies it was greatly appreciated.

Princess

Maybe you will find a combination of lower dose on the meds (or less often) with supliments will do the trick.

I for one hate taking an asprine let alone other meds unless I absolutly need it, so trying to stay meds free is good but strive for the balance that brings the pep back but does not promote swings into depression or mania.

I also agree about the overall health and fitness mentioned, I suffer from PTSD and Anxiety disorder and find that my Martial Arts helps keep me off meds.

Best of luck.