I have Bipolar Disorder; Will I Always Have To Take Medications To Be Normal?

1. 62

   Jennitasiaposted 15 years ago

   I have Bipolar Disorder; Will I Always Have To Take Medications To Be Normal?
   
   I am asking for advice on how to manage Bipolar Disorder without medications. I currently take up to 7 different medications! I am currently out of 4-5 of them(due to financial issues)! I am slowly going downward! I need help! What do I do?

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2. 70

   thranaxposted 15 years ago

   Modern science so far cannot cure the Disorder, some subnormal recoveries happen in any case of aliment. Most likely you will need to keep taking pills until new cures\treatments are found.
   
   ~thranax~

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3. 62

   DonnyBoyposted 15 years ago

   Don't know if foods affect it at all, but I when I was dealing with anxiety and stress related symptoms I researched alot about how chemicals in the body and fluid in the brain can act and react differently to certain stimulants, nutrients, herbs, and spices. Certain foods can actually raise serotonin and revive mono-amine neurotransmitters , which might help diminish symptoms.
   Spiritual healing never hurts and causes of trauma can also be a culprit. Its good to get into faith in spiritual beliefs. This one fellow had schizophrenia and one day just prayed but never prayed before and it went away.

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4. 49

   Aymroposted 15 years ago

   I believe that you are in need of a medication review from a Psychiatrist. If you have a diagnosis of Bipolar Disorder, and from your query it appears that you do, you need medication to maintain a degree of stability. However 7 different medications seems somewhat excessive to me.  This medication list may need to be rationalized. However doing this is best left to a Psychiatrist who knows you and your condition best and can tailor your needs to the medications you most need and gradually withdraw and stop what you don't. Hopefully that will reduce your financial outlay for medication as well. In most instances it does not take 7 different medications to stabilize Bipolar illness and 1 to 3 medications suffice.
   
   I hope this has been useful to you.

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5. 61

   Cameron Dinsdaleposted 15 years ago

   I agree, the medical community is continuing to find out that a diagnosis of bipolar disorder is becoming more and more ambiguous, and there are so many different variations of the disease that it is difficult, if not impossible to determine what might be right for your own condition. You should explain to your doctor that you are having trouble affording your meds, and perhaps he could switch you from some brands to generics. Hope this helps.

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   RedSonja94posted 14 years ago

   I suffer with bipolar disorder as well and have been told that it will not go away and I will have to be on meds for the rest of my life, but I only take 3 meds for my disorder.  Up to 7 meds is a little excessive and should be discussed with your doctor for solutions that will be more affordable for you.  I know that being off these meds can cause extreme problems for the sufferer so please get your meds re-evaluated as soon as possible and try to come up with a better solution for your situation.

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   myk9catpjsposted 14 years ago

   what you need to do is make an appt w/your psychiatrist a.s.a.p.
   unfortunately,you will need to treat/manage your b.p with a "cocktail"of meds indefinitely. there are various forms of b.p. and 7 meds is w/in the norm. if you're strapped for cash,your physician surely will be willing to supply you w/free sample of your meds until you work something out.as of late,ECT therapy (shock treatments) has shown positive results but  some patients sufferedshort-term memory loss that isnt always recoverable. your meds are your arsenal and your lifeline...they usually include:a mood stabilizer,an anti-convulsant,an antipsychotic,and various other "tweaks" for sleep, anxiety..etc.bottom line is YOU CANNOT MANAGE BIPOLAR WITHOUT MEDS. somewhere down the line when you've been on the right "cocktail" for a good while and you feel like your b.p. is gone, and you dont need your stupid "crazy" pills anymore, think again. bipolar isnt easy,it isnt fun, but it is manageable and in some crazy far-out way,it has a few positive things to you...i wish you well...peace.

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   Kay Candleposted 14 years ago

   Bipolar Disorder is an extremely complex condition, and it's probably a good idea not to take a whole lot of personal advice on this because medications and severity vary from person to person. There's no question about it, you cannot treat bipolar disorder without medication. I agree with the others that seven medications is quite extreme. Do you have other health issues you are treating with this as well? Maybe you can find a medication that handles a few of your symptoms at one time. If you cannot afford your medicine make sure your doctor is aware of this. Drug companies will often give patients free medication if they fill out an application and proof of income. Hope this helps and wish you the best!

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   meyerpegposted 14 years ago

   It is very rare for a bipolar person to overcome their need for medication.  It is very important for you to be monitored by a psychiatrist !.  I hope you will be able to access the professional  care and correct medication you need.
   
   (I have been receiving psychiatric care and medication since 1971.  I function quite normally now with a medication that works well for me, but still have to be careful to control my tendency to mania.  Was hospitalized for two weeks last year for a manic episode.

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10. 64

    Sheila Wilsonposted 14 years ago

    In addition to going to your doctor to see if maybe the number of prescriptions can be reduced, there are sources of help to make prescriptions more affordable.
    
    One time when I was on two prescriptions for bipolar disorder, my doctor gave me trial size packs for both to hold me over. I'm not sure where you are located, but here in Pennsylvania, you can go to the county Mental Health/Mental Retardation office for free psychiatric treatment. It is done on a sliding income scale, but as long as you pay something towards it, they are usually pretty lenient.
    
    Another thing is to contact the manufacturers of the prescriptions and see if there are programs to help people who cannot afford their prescriptions. I know that the makers of Paxil used to give out coupons that covered quite a bit of the cost. I think there are even more programs like that these days.
    
    Look into getting medical insurance. If you are unemployed or underemployed or your employer does not offer insurance, you may be able to get medical assistance through your state's public welfare office.

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    crazybeanriderposted 14 years ago

    I want to reiterate what others on here have said. It is pretty rare trying to mangae bipolar on your own without some kind of medication or alternative method.  One thing you can do is google free meds, you'll find a few programs that can help you with medications.
    
    Also as someone metioned above, the manufacturer of your medicines have free/reduced prices on meds. You definetly will find some help there.
    
    It has been two months since you asked the question. I hope you have found some relief.

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    Laura Thykesonposted 14 years ago

    Although I am a bit late answering this, I just saw the question...I found out in 2000 that I was bipolar and had inherited it from my mother's side of the family. I have the kind that has more "low cycles" than manic highs. I take only 1 med for mine now, but have run through the list of different cocktails, sometimes with disastrous results. At one time I was on 5 meds, and it took me 8 months to recover from the problems that caused. I have had to just learn to work thru the mood swings as best I can. Luckily most of the time I am stable, but right now I am pretty down. Just wrote a hub about it. I sympathize with you, and the advice the others have given you is for the most part, excellent advice. Just be sure to stay in touch with your Dr. and don't stop anything suddenly. It can cause BIG problems!

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    zoglio expressposted 14 years ago

    Dear Jennitasia,
    
    The biggest problem with people diagnosed with BPD is that as soon as they feel better, they stop taking the medicine.  Unfortunately this will lead to a relapse of symptoms.  My philosphy with the meds that I take is that I am like any other person with say Diabetes or heart disease.  They take insulin shots 2 x a day and people with high blood pressure take meds for that every day for possibly the rest of their life to manage their condition. If I look at it that way, then I realize my condition, a chemical imbalance in my brain, must be managed every day for the rest of my life as well.  My meds must be tweaked sometimes as with all meds for conditions stop working or other meds taken interfere with my psych meds.  I currently take Tegretol in am and 2 in pm along with Wellbutrin in am and now 1/2 of a .5 mg in the am to try to stop me from being annoyed with the world.
    
    I hope this has helped.  Ask me again any question as I have been diagnosed for 10 years and probably had this condition all my life.   Zoglio Exprses

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    nightndayposted 14 years ago

    I hope this still helps you, even though my comment is 6 months late.  Please go to my hub on prescriptions, I can't put in all the links here.  I cited various resources for people who are having problems affording meds.  RX Hope, Prescription Partnership Assistance and Mental Health America are good places to check out.  Depending on financial status etc, you can get meds at a low cost and even for free.
    
    Don't quit your meds by yoursef, out of the blue.  It can have severe reprecussions.  Going a natural route is ideal, but as someone else stated, it really depends on the severity of the case.  If you have  hallucinations and bad episodes, it is harder to control this naturally, because it requires outstanding discipline in aligning sleep, exercise, supplements, therapy and other building blocks.
    
    Go to a Mental Health America or NAMI center to get advice and structure something out.  Best wishes1

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    Trish Austinposted 14 years ago

    I'm new so late trying to answer question. But, I'm Bipolar II and take 6n different meds.. partiallt due to the fact that my former doc had misdiagnosed me and I can't get off some of what he put me on. Has my current doctors stumped. However, most people with Bipolar Disorder have other disorders too. I'm one of those lucky ones, so some of the extra meds could be for other symptoms.
    
    My heart goes out to you. Talk to your doctor and get free samples. And see about any programs to get your meds at a reduced rate.

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    t.cobblerposted 14 years ago

    I too have this. I did all the meds. the ups the downs. till a shrink told me the best treatment. get plenty of sleep. gave me a script for ambien. I still get some peeks, but life is alot better.

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    The Mad Auntposted 13 years ago

    You are normal. Everybody is inclined to mood swings at times of stress in their lives.  Medication can help to control the extreme symptoms, but once a person is stable, they need to be offered counselling, get to the root of the problem.
    
    You are normal.

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