Now 47, I was diagnosed with ADHD at 36. It took 11 years of trial and error to find the right cocktail of meds that has brought me peace. It can be very disheartening, the process of constantly needing the doctor to write yet another script. The Doctor really can't understand what you're feeling real time. So, unfortunately, one needs to go back home and try meds, which may or may not do the job of resolving those symptoms unique to your special case. Our minds and bodies are all unique, so one can only try and use the guidelines set by the drug companies, to determine which doses or dosing schedule would work for your particular case.
Stimulants alone was never right for me because I would feel anxiety. So I had given up on Stimulants. Welbutrin as well, made me quite anxious and very aggressive. So, I began to try a number of SSRI's, including SNRI's. Nothing was working. After reading more on the subject, I learned that serotonine, dopamine, and Norepenephrine had to work evening at appropriate levels, such that one wasn't dominant over the other. So, for example, when taking stimulating medications, my serotonine levels would be below the amount necessary to offset the increase in the other two. So naturally, without the serotonine levels being high enough, I would feel overly on, and this in turn would make me uptight, and unable to relax. Sleep deprivation would be a major issue for years to come. I spent two years on zoloft and welbutrin, which was the best combination, but not optimal. I was sleep deprived and still uptight.
Then, one day, I had a conversation with a young man in his twenties, and he told me about Remeron. He said that at low doses, it can be very effective for sleep, not to mention, give you a calmiing effect for at least 12 hours. He also mentioned Vyvance, for focus.
I was excited for the first time in a long time as I booked an appointment to see my doctor and he prescribed Remeron 15mgs, which does not come at doses any lower. But, they do come quartered. So I took 7.5mgs that evening, and for the first time in say 10 years, I slept deeply, with lots of dreaming. I would remember the dreams even after waking up. So I tried this day 2, 3, 4, 5... it was amazing. I woke up rested, peaceful, and relaxed. I continued with the Zolft and the welbutrin, because they were helpful during the day, and remeron alone would have made me too sedated. This goes back to my previous comment, that if your serotonine levels are elevated, without the other two, now one would experience sedation, and find it difficult to function during the day. So, just by adding the low dose remeron, everything changed meraculously. But, I noticed one thing still missing. I addressed the sleep issue, and mood and zest, but the focus was still missing. So, upon the suggestion of the young man I met, I added Vyvanse 30mgs. There had been an underlying low grade anxiety with me still, before adding the Vyvanse. That anxiety disappeared, because with the addition of this stimulant, the anxiety that was there because of my inability to focus disappeared, once I was able to bring focus into the dynamic.
I think many people give up, because they fail to realize that there isn't always going to be one pill to solve the whole problem. Many of us suffer co-morbid issues such as ADD plus the H and anxiety in my case. The cocktail in my case, became the equalizer. In the mean time, I lost 30 pounds without dieting. I'm in the best shape of my life, not because I changed my eating habits, or my exercise regimine, but rather, getting restful sleep 7 days a week my first 3 months, the weight started pouring off me.
Once I felt whole, and this combo of 4 drugs settled in routinely. I have never been so relaxed, focused, and in shape in my entire life.
By keeping yourself current, listening to your mind and body, not to mention choosing a reputable Doctor, perserverence will find you at a peaceful place. It will happen. Don't give up.
Mr. B