Is there a better solution to Bipolar side effects?

I found more information regarding the topic of methods to self medicate with BP. 

(I tried self-medicating (with my fav drug of choice- pot, amongst others), and it always ended up out of control, because it did nothing to control my disorder. I was just kidding myself.)

I am a bit concerned.  I've seen others who get mean when smoking to much.  From what I know with any drug and Bipolar the mix is lethal.  It's as if there's no turn off switch.  Enough is NEVER enough!

Meditation, Tai Chi, Yoga, Truehope vitamins, Eating right, exercise are all good choices.  I don't know how effective they are since mood swings can be so unpredictable.  How would someone who suffers with unpredictable mood swings stay on task anyway?  When the depression hits it would be rare if someone would jump up and do their tai chi. Maybe the depression can be held away for a while doing the right things though.

Then there's the doctors choice of Lithium, Depakote, Effexor, and the list goes ON!  The argument is what is worse?  Suicide, violence or horrible side effects?  Some well a lot of people do very well with the medications and don't want to live with out them.  Other's miss their high's.  And take the lows that come with the highs.  Maybe it depends on the severity of your shifting moods.  If suicide or violence is a common symptom, and medication helps, then that sounds like the best option.  Everyone is different.  I found my husband does much better when he is off any medications.  He's a freaking zombie on them.  Maybe we never found the right combination?

 Then you wonder would life be more normal?  Less isolation?  Less of everything which isn't normal in MY normal world?  Who's to say what is right and what is wrong?  If Einstein had to take medication would we have the awesome inventions we would have?  Would David's Artwork exist?  All of this is very confusing.  I know a lot of people lose their creativity and therefore do not create although some argue it helps them focus and therefore do very well.  Maybe it's the amount given to a person that needs to be watched better.  Our personal experience has been TO MUCH medication!  The zombie in him emerges!  In the beginning before we knew what the diagnosis was they were giving a crazy combination of different depression pills and he would sit for weeks drooling not even there!  Yeah that works!  The doctors would say well just give him less.  Still zombie.  Well try this.  Still zombie.  Try this, Okay you get the picture.  Months go by.  This is NOT working!  What a nightmare!

Suffice to say, I know this for a fact! 
Bipolar and narcotics are a lethal combination! 
Depression medication (not bipolar medication) does NOT work for Bipolar. 
And if they are feeling angry, give them their space. 
If they need to be alone, leave them alone.
If they are self medicating (alcohol or whatever) watch them VERY carefully!
Give praise, understanding and love.
Be supportive.

Our name for Bipolar is now Gifted.  We hate the word Bipolar.  I do not label my husband like that.  I think he is a gifted amazing human being!  So smart and talented and I'm very proud of him.

Books I've read on the subject suggest our brain is lacking complex B vitamins along with several other vitamins and minerals that we need to function normally and if we take the right vitamins and eat the right things are brains are nourished enough to function without any prescription drugs.   Is this really possible?  If we look in the past years back no one knew there was such a thing as Bipolar.  People like Picasso and Divinci were great artists and very strange to the rest of the world.  YES!  But weren't they Brilliant???  Amazing?  Gifted?  I'd argue they had an advantage over the rest of us!  Look at Einstein.  Are we going to label him as weird?
See www.truehope.com
Here's a book called The Natural Medicine Guide to Bipolar Disorder


I hate labeling someone with a disease.  Now they are "depressed"  or "Bipolar"  That is not who they are.   The person your referring to is just like you or me.  They may think differently.  Act differently.  Live their lives a different way.  Their habits are different.  What can we expect? They are brilliant in their own way. Gifted.  Racing thoughts, rage, hyper activity, violent, moody, impossible to be around until the flip side which is happy, hyper, wonderful, loving, fun OH LORD!  This is all so confusing. 
In my house, I dodge the bullet.  I live in the house and he stays in the garage.  Yep!  He's happier that way.  I don't like it.  But, what is the alternative.  I am not him.  I can not understand why he does what he does.  I can't understand why he wants to be alone all the time.  My job is to be a patient loving wife and wait until he needs me and be there.  Very difficult!
http://www.psychforums.com/bipolar/  Here is a link to a forum with many views and opinions that may help.
I was reading through some of the comments and have learned quite a bit.   Everyone has their own set of issues they struggle with!  All different people with different opinions.  It's had to pinpoint what works for some and not for others! 

I strongly believe art is a great method of healing.  A good outlet!

It works for many people!