Managing bipolar without meds

[Arienette]

I'm on meds for it now, and they're subject to change should I need it in the future. They mentioned coming off anti-d and possibly taking lithium instead if I have another severe episode.

The thing is, I know I'm struggling at the moment but I feel like I'm using skills quite well to avoid a crisis. And I'm engaging with my team and gp who is very supportive.

But I was wondering if it's possible, sometime in the future to manage bipolar without meds. Just on my own. Because I'm anxious about long term effect of antipsychotics since my psych mentioned about weird and involuntary facial and tongue movements.

Also, I exercise A LOT, and have read you have to be careful with hydration when on lithium, and I struggle with hydration and salt etc levels already (I get through a lot of dioralyte to solve this) but I don't want to get ill on a race because of it, because I lose a lot of liquids very easily. That would be horrible, say on a long race and getting ill from lithium. I guess there are ways of managing that maybe? But I'm not going to stop exercising like I do because it's one of my most effective coping mechanisms.

Has anyone managed it, or know of anyone who has managed it?

I'm obviously not going to stop meds without talking to Drs first, and until after a long period of stability (like a year) but it's on my mind a lot lately.

Xx

[Steel Maiden]

It is very difficult. I am not on any meds for my severe OCD (although I think my antipsychotic for psychosis and autism might be helping my OCD). I still struggle with OCD every day.

It depends on how severe your bipolar is.

I would discuss this with your psychiatrist as it is a tricky topic.

[tiptoes]

When I was discharged from my mental health team recently my psychiatrist put on the discharge paperwork that if I go without an episode for more than X years my GP can reduce my medication with the idea of withdrawing it. Which would suggest that some will consider it but it really is a long long term goal.

I would like to come off my medication at some point but more importantly I want my bipolar to be managed and realistically if my bipolar isn't managed whilst on medication I'm not going to manage it on my own without medication. Episodes can come out of the blue no matter how many things you are doing that are supposed to be good (diet, exercise, routine etc) and for me I think this fear will keep me on my medication for the next few years at least.