Do you have to take medications for bipolar?

I got diagnosed with bipolar disorder and they gave me depakote and risperidal. The side effects really suck. I am super constipated, lost my desire to be creative, lost interest in sex, I am disoriented, I cant think quickly like I used to, and Im constantly hungry. Do you really NEED mood stabilizers? I have gone long periods of time without any episodes and even people on meds still relapse, so I fail to see the point of being medicated if its not even going to prevent episodes... So, I guess I am just seeking validation that I dont need them. I dont trust doctors bc they are in cahoots with the insurance and pharmaceutical companies and my boyfriend also agrees that I dont need mood stabilizers. I have taken clonzapan, ativan, and xanax in the past as needed during episodes and it has ALWAYS worked. I dont like being all doped up. Am I wrong? I know most people with mental illness dont like the meds, but I seriously hate them. I feel like I lost me.