Rethinking my medication

[Nahbus]

So about a year ago I was diagnosed as having bipolar disorder. I don't
get bad depression, mainly just very intense manic episodes. So the
doctors put me on Lithium, Zoloft and Seroquel. I tapered myself off
Zoloft because I felt it was shit.

Anyway, lately I don't feel it is doing much, and maybe even rethinking
my whole diagnosis. I know this is common for people to try and stop
taking their meds because they feel better, but I feel as though the
pills aren't doing what they need to be doing.

I've been feeling great lately, but I've been very anxious around other
people, and I've been chain smoking non-stop as well. Also very fidgity.

The doctors will just tell me to stay on them because I feel fine, but how will I ever know if I can handle my brain on my own?

I thought I had ADD or ADHD when I was talking to my doctor but we
never really went into it. Lately these symptoms seem worse. I always
kind of want some sort of stimulation, too. I've been drinking a hell
of a lot of coffee with the hell of a lot of cigs.

Not even sure of what to do because I don't even have a doctor to go to
right now, my bitch doctor won't see me anymore because I missed 2
appointments, when she cancelled 3.

Anyway, just kind of venting. Lithium isn't that good for you and I
want to stop taking it. What do you guys think? Anyone have a similar
experience?



PS the Lithium kinfa of muffles other recreational drugs, which I do not like.

[Solidly-here]

Who said Lithium is not good? It certainly IS.


You admit to being diagnosed Manic-Depressive. Now, you think you are mis-diagnosed. You can't see a Doctor, though.


My first thought is: Has the Lithium EVER helped any of your Manicsymptoms? If yes, then you Surely are Manic-Depressive (it only works on M-D). If no, then maybe you are M-D.


The absolute main reason people with M-D don't like to take their Lithium is that it curbs their High times in life (call it Manic, Happy, Exciting, etc.). If the Lithium did NOT affect your High, you would NOT be M-D. You said it yourself: "Lithium kinda of muffles other recreational drugs, which I do not like." It curbs your High.



You DO have the Depression, so the only question is: Do you only have the Depression some of the time, in cycles (and most of the rest of the time feel pretty good, or Real good)? If yes, this also is indicative of possible M-D. If your Doctor actually graduated from Medical School (and has seen several people with M-D) he is in a Great location to diagnose M-D.


Attention Deficit Disorder should be relatively easy to diagnose (and your Doctor probably ruled it out). And the fact that you DO have Depression, makes ADD less likely (unless you are depressed over having a short attention-span).