Any stories of BP1 life without meds?

[weaver71]

Since my psychotic breakdown 10 months ago, I tried lithium and Lamotrogene. I went psychotic on lithium and felt foggy on Lamotrogene. I am 23 months of 250 mgs of methadone and am using CBT and diet so far. I think the meds helped restore my memory and get me stable, but then I stopped improving. It has been since Feb that I am on no meds, been hypo-manic and then had some sanciety attacks for a few days after that. It was tolerable, but I know I go further sometime than I do others. I am recognizing triggers and have a plan of where to go if needed to be alone. Have any of you been able to manage your life with low stress and tons of support? My breakdown left some fear of kindling and me getting there easier now, but I am willing to risk it. It has been great to be myself again, I had lost track of myself on drugs then psych meds. Just wondering if I am a line dreamer.

[BP2PROFESSIONAL]

I got the book myself, FYI it's not an easy read and I'm a qualified industrial chemist. Worth getting though and chipping away at it.

[weaver71]

That is the most evidence based science I have seen, thank you for that. I'm gonna read Dr Walsh's book as well. I have experimented with amino acids, but guessing is all I've done. I want to get blood work done to check any specific deficiencies. I have one friend who is bp2 who as done this type of therapy and is med free and managing great. Thanks again.

[BP2PROFESSIONAL]

Hi Weaver,

Try this link it should get you there, may need to copy and paste it into your browser.  They are under educational videos (might have changed slightly) really good resource if interesting advances in bipolar.  This one was quite enlightening for me as I was only taking vitamin B, Zinc and others as I was low in them, this article explains why bipolar people may be low in them, the effect if makes but more importantly how by getting the levels right it allows you to provide the right precursors to reduce medication. Again not for everyone, but definatley worth exploring.

http://ibpf.org/advanced-nutrient-therapies-bipolar-disorders-dr-william-walsh

[weaver71]

I went to many Inyernational bipolar foundations, do you mean the one out of San. Diego, or the one in England, I can't find the webinars that cover nutrition. I do Omegas, been a bit hesitant to try aminos After going manic on DLPA. I am real interested in nutritional healing, so I will keep searching. Any other specifics to find the site would be appreciated.

[BP2PROFESSIONAL]

Jump on the international Bipolar Foundation website and checkout the Webinars there is an interesting webinar on advanced nutrient therapy using supplements as the precursors to brain chemistry, such as making serotonin and dopamine. Said to help minimize the need for meds as you get where you need to be nutritionally. Not for everyone but worked for me. I only take the odd Xanax now and then when I get a bit of anxiety. Be doing it for over 3 years.

[weaver71]

I have read a little about the gluten effects on the brain, but thanks for the reminder. I need to further my studies and experiment with it on myself. My son has a learning disability, so I looked into it for him. We just generally mix it up, wheat, rice, potatoes, oats, corn, to reduce the amount of gluten. My wife just went almost gluten free, not strict, but for the most part, and she seems to be feeling better. I think I will try it. My wife manages a cafe in a health-food store, so it will be easy to get alternatives, I just have to DO it. I do Omegas, but maybe I should up the dosage.How much fish oil, flax oil, or whatever source you use do you eat a day? Thanks for your reply, it means a lot. I want to hear as many stories of people living with BP off meds as I can. I hope to continue to be one of them.

[bklynsteph]

Gluten Free low sugar diet got me stable without meds after years of Manic ups and downs, suicidal and insomnia. I also gave up dairy and it worked. You also have to eat lots of fruits and veggies and take a good fish oil Omega 3 high dose daily. The change is gradual but permanent. Research Wheat Gluten and psychosis.

[weaver71]

Thanks for your support. I just had a pretty intense couple weeks. We didn't catch it fast enough, but I did have a few months of being pretty stable and happy. My doctor doesn't want me to have to think about it all day every day, but I did that on meds too. Maybe a different med would work, but we saw our mistake last cycle and are making adjustments. So far, the good times outweigh the bad, yet it has only been about 4 months. Progress, all I want to feel is some progress and I am. This feels like a dangerous experiment, but a friend recently thrashed her house and burned bridges and is ruining her son and husbands life on meds, so no matter what, it all seems a roll of the dice.

[usehername]

I don't have a personal success story because I can't even achieve basic functionality ON meds, but I have heard of people doing it. I'm pretty sure I'm not one of them. I can't decide of I'm just staying the same or getting worse. But that's a long story for another time. If you can do it, more power to you. It sounds like you have good reasons and a good plan. I wish you the best.  (:

[weaver71]

I am not surprised that only one person replied. I know I am grasping at straws.9

[weaver71]

I mean BP meds, I have no interest in addictive drugs, especially opiates. I am open minded, so I realize I may have to go back on Lamotrogene or something else, but I want to be happy, not high.

[krisnile]

Got a question for you weaver71, when you say back on your meds do you mean bp meds or method one???

[weaver71]

I always thought I would end up having a breakdown and end up on meds one day, and I did. I am taking this much more seriously now, I'm getting older and my wife and kids need me. I have a similar story, but only took meds for a few months, I could tell they changed me, so could my family. I am also a writer and without inspiration, which is what I called mania for 20 years, I had nothing left to really help me. I could function on meds, but I would go manic anyway, and the mania was under pressure and felt like it burst through the meds. I am writing a book and working on some articles, I have to have my creativity, I'm getting too old to do labor now. Thanks again, it's great to hear your story, I am so gratful you are here to share.

[thatquietgirl]

Completely understand you.  I was on them the first few years, and we'd try several things but they zapped me of so much energy that in the end I was only on Lithium.  I felt Lithium wasn't doing much for me at all other than take away my creativity, which was my self-therapy for years before diagnosis.  Being a writer and a musician, I wasn't able to handle that side effect with the lack of real benefit, so I decided I didn't want to anymore.  

I have made the promise to myself that if things get bad again, I will go back on meds.  I just know that, for now, they are not for me.

I wish you luck in this attempt to be med-free!  

[weaver71]

Thanks for posting, I know what I am doing is not very popular and definitely doesn't work for everyone, I just have to make sure I am not one of them before I let my brain adapt to anymore drugs.

[thatquietgirl]

I have BP1 as well, and I have been med-free for almost five years.  So long as you are honest with yourself and let your therapist know the instant you start experiencing symptoms to give them a heads up and start instituting the plans to avoid an episode, you can be fine.  The biggest part of my success without meds is due to a strong support system from my boyfriend and friends.  I had a mental breakdown in front of them all at a kickback sort of party once, and they were a great help--my boyfriend especially.  

Stress management will be key to continued success as well.  You can't always avoid stress or high-stress situations as life isn't 100% something we can control.  You just have to have strategies in mind to help you through those times.

During these four years, I have experienced a few mild episodes, but with my therapist's help and application of what we had discussed the three years prior and since the time I stopped medication, I haven't had any major episodes--unless we count that little mental breakdown a year ago.

I think honesty (with yourself and your therapist), a strong support system, and stress management are key.