Posted by katekite on August 11, 2002, at 21:44:43
In reply to Re: bipolar cycling, posted by minisnow on August 9, 2002, at 19:03:39
Well, since there have been 4 people say to stay on meds, I'll step out on a limb and say that with only one manic episode there is a chance that you might never have another, in which case it would be a shame to stay on unneeded meds for life.
A couple of situations where you might consider going off altogether just to see:
1. an inciting factor with the manic episode that is no longer present. For example, did you take any medication (cold medicine, allergy meds, antibiotics, herbal combos) just prior to the manic episode?
2. If you were actually hypomanic and not manic going off just to see might be more ok. Since you would be more likely to be able to be rational about going back on medication quickly.
If going off altogether is not a good idea there is perhaps a middle ground: reducing the Depakote dose to a moderately lower level, for, say, a year, and seeing if you had any hypomanic type symptoms. If none, then you could consider reducing it further.
There are some really good mood charts available over the internet (sorry have not kept track of where) that might be helpful if you do reduce the dose.
Others will say this too, that bipolar 1 disorder is like diabetes: if controlled you don't know its there but if it gets uncontrolled you have no idea what will happen or how quickly.
Take care -- kate
poster:katekite
thread:115792
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020807/msgs/116108.html