Nix, I am not sure what to tell you except what I know through my son. Different meds work better for some and not others. Sometimes it takes time to find what is right for you. It can be frustrating until then but you have to make sure you are honest with your doctor and report all changes good or bad. Some meds take some getting used to and annoying side effects go away after a week or two.
If you are worried that meds would take away a talent or parts of your personality, that is usually not the case. If you are a gifted artist you still will be. If you are witty and funny you still will be.
Here is a synopsis of what we go through with my son.
My son was first diagnosed ADHD. I tried zoloft and strattera first and after a year and a half I yeilded and tried him on concerta.
Within the first week of the concerta he went ape shit. He got very violent and I had to have him admitted to hospital. The doctor told me that is the red flag for bipolar in kids his age. Stimulants and bipolar don't mix. He was taken off the concerta and put on depakote and risperdol and diagnosed bipolar NOS just after he turned 9.
My son will turn 11 next month. He is better, but kids his age cycle so fast the meds have a limited effect I think. I have had to do alot of behavior modification and keep him on a strict sleep schedule. It is very confusing alot of the time because I am not sure what behavior is bipolar and what is ADHD.
My son always wants to be doing something, anything. The more stimulating and exciting the happier he is. As soon as those events come to an end, most of the time he ends up going into a rage. Sometimes he can pull himself back together and other times we have to restrain him. I called the police one night because he got a steak knife from the kitchen and threatened to stab my husband. Anything that can be used as a weapon is now hidden. Hammers, screwdrivers, scissors (only keep out pre-school scissors) and even the potato peeler because he threatened to run it down his arm.
I am sorry I could not be of more help. There are alot of wonderful, helpful, funny and brilliant members with personal experience that I feel will respond soon.
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"Needless to say I have some ununusual habits, yet all these socially acceptable people can't wait to pick up hammers and smash their food to bits. Normal people are so hostile."
--Michael C. Hall as Dexter Morgan
