I've been feeling so good the past week or two that it got me to thinking that maybe I am not Bipolar. I encouraged my pdoc to take me off Lithium 2 months ago because I felt overmedicated and I've been doing just fine so I decide to take myself off of Abilify. It is an anti psychotic. I don't feel that I need it anymore. I am still taking Topamax and Lamictal. Both are mood stabalizers. I guess I just want to see what will happen.
But I think I'm better now.
Was this a silly move?

Hi,
These are just some thoughts to consider, they may not even apply to you. My feeling is sometimes we just have to learn for ourselves, I know I did, and 9 months later it landed me in the hospital. That was 10 years ago and Ive never go off my meds since. Bipolar is controlled by medication and when you're feeling better it means the medication is working. You mentioned you were still on a couple of mood stabliizers, if they are working well maybe your right and dont need the abilify. It never hurts to know the warning signs of a manic epidside, inability to sleep, not eating, watch for dellusion thinking (however if your dellusion you wont know it) excessive spending,exaggerated religious belief's, increasing sexual appetite, that just some of the major ones. Take Care, K

Hi I've just stopped taking Depakote myself... (been on it for 6 years) only 1 day in though and getting to the pdoc today anyway. My issue is that I am in a totally mixed state; up, down, anxious, paranoid, self medicating with alcohol, can't look anyone in the eye, disturbed sleep, an anteater following me around the house...
The reason i've stopped is because i feel so mixed up; like neither totally manic or in the depths of depression. The most awful limbo I have ever had being totally incapacitated and worthless. So my thoughts were f this i need to feel something concrete. So my reasons are a bit different to yours and I cannot tell you to go the doc because i took the decision myself too, but for the sake of it...you should come off under the supervision of your pdoc! take care x

I take both Abilify and Topamax. Hope you are okay. Abilify is a very potent medication. Going off on it all at once? How are you doing?

I take 15 mgs of Abilify- too much for me as well. Yuck. I hate it. It has made me gain weight. It has helped me a lot too though.

The other gals are right. Please be very careful and look out for the mania symptoms. It can really happen. Be cautious.

Hugs

Coffeegirl

Thanks for your replys. I'm doing fine without it. I was a little concerned yesterday that I may be getting manic beacuase I slept only 2 1/2 hours and felt good, but realized it was due to a caffeine drink I had the night before. I better stay away from those.
My husband reminded me how irritable and rageful I get when I have a manic episode. I guess I forgot. I once assaulted someone in a parking lot due to how irritated I was. So I hope I don't get like that again, that got me into some serious trouble.
I think I'll be OK with my current meds. I go to my therapist twice a month and she's really helped me alot with my anger issues, not to mention the Anger Management classes I was forced to take.
Thanks again for your concern.

I'm in outpatience treatment right now for BiPolar and one of the BIGGEST mistakes anyone could do to the diease is to STOP taking meds! YOu should definitely talk to your doctor first... This could put you at such a HUGE risk, is it really worth it??? If you feel your meds aren't working go on something else, again talk to your doctor... It's just not worth it.