Do I Have to Take Medicine Forever?

People who take medications to treat most serious medical conditions, including diabetes, high blood pressure, and thyroid disorders usually never question the need to be on long-term medication. Many people with bipolar disorder, however, constantly wonder whether they really need to continue taking medication to keep symptoms in check.

Do I Have to Take Medicine Forever?

My pdoc told me it's a life-long battle. It won't go away, might be better at times but to never stop or else I'll crash

Lost One wrote:

My pdoc told me it's a life-long battle. It won't go away, might be better at times but to never stop or else I'll crash

Me too

Hey it's okay Terry. As long as it's controlled. It's just like having diabetes, you have to take medicine every day

Lost One wrote:

Hey it's okay Terry. As long as it's controlled. It's just like having diabetes, you have to take medicine every day

I know Lost One, thanks but the older I get the more I realize that the meds damage other parts of the body.... it's like everything else in life, it's a give and take....

No friend, it's give or take all And don't forget that

Yup....I'll be on my meds forever

I have to say that lately I have been feeling so much better; but I know that this is the clam in between the storms.....it would be so easy to quit the meds now, this is the most dangerous point in being bipolar, the seizures, and the fribo.....it is almost scary. But I am staying on all of my meds

When I was in the hospital there was a girl there that quit her meds and she was so manic like me and suicidal. Please don't stop even if you feel good

My Mom has been on meds for over 20 years. The doctors told her it would be for life. She's said that during the good periods she has been tempted to stop the meds, but then she remembers what life was like before she started them.

No, never, I was over talking to my friends last night about it; they reminded me of all of the times I was super manic or super depressed. They said that if for no other reason to please stay on the meds for them Woke me up more than anything else in the world could have.... reminded me of just how bad I can get.....I thank the good Lord every day for them they are the best friends a bipolar could have, always there, day, night, good and bad

jsr4711 wrote:

but then she remembers what life was like before she started them.

I tell myself that all the time!!

I never forget what it was like before I started the meds......it was horrible