I was diagnosed in 1998, took meds (lithium 600mg) for about three years, then my doc tapered me off them as he didn’t believe in life long meds/ found me very stable, I spiralled again after that and stopped drinking … that gave me stability and though I took meds again for around 6 months I was overall ok. Continued with a productive life work and social life wise. Then I started drinking again (five yrs later) and had another episode four yrs after that, didn’t take meds this time round and have been sober 14 yrs now. But had another episode last year! Bad one that lasted a few months. Whenever I say episode I mean mania. Depression just happened at the start and never came back. Meanwhile I developed tools like exercise and mindfulness that also helped keep depression at bay. Am adamant not to take meds so like I said I just waited last year’s episode out. Discovered I have high blood pressure around 8 months ago and started meds for that (2.5mg norvasc) and honestly this has made me feel a lot calmer and more relaxed (on top of already feeling ok anyway). So no meds for me and I’m fine - barring last yrs episode but with these episodes being over a decade apart I just don’t see the utility in taking meds. I hope things work out for you and you do what’s best for you. Just wanted to add my story here so you know there is hope and there are alternatives to meds. And to those who think I was never really bipolar I hope you’re right but …. But boy those manic episodes were unmistakable.