I was diagnosed Bipolar II about 4 years ago. We went through a few combinations of meds before settling on Lithium (1200mg per day) and Abilify, which I stopped last year. (Abilify can create blood sugar issues). I was on the Lithium for that 4 years until I ran out in December, and failed to pick up the prescription for a few days....and then I realized how good I was starting to feel. I'd recently taken off about 30 of 90 pounds that I had gained with meds, and I have an awesome counselor that over the years has equipped me with fantastic tools to keep my issues under control. I am now over 3 weeks into quitting the Lithium cold turkey, and feel better and better every day. No, I don't believe I'm in a manic phase. I am feeling like I'm thinking clearer, unclouded and intelligently. I'm being productive but not to an annoying point to myself or others. I'm just feeling "alive"....and am feeling after reading a lot of these posts that I'm the exception to the rule. I don't feel the tugs of mania, although I do feel optimistic and positive about some big life changes that are coming this year. Makes me wonder what the drug has actually done for me other than put weight on me, slowed my metabolism down, given me diabetes, and elevated my kidney functions to unhealthy levels. I'm thinking that I'm going to keep on the present course, and monitor any changes, either towards depression or mania. But I'm also thinking that I've gained enough control of my mind that I can control it better without medication now. Anyone else ever experience that???
