Looking for a good drug combination for bipolar/adhd?

My son has been diagnosed with bipolar and adhd. He is on adderall and depakote and risperdal, but not sure if these are working. Can anyone tell me any combinations that have worked for you?

I should mention that he is 15. His main problem is being extremely irritable and angry most of the time and when not on medications at all he has rage outbursts where he breaks things, punching walls, throwing things..... He is not hyperactive, he is very quiet. He has been like this since he was a baby, and every year since kindergarten the school calls me to see "whats going on at home" because he is so angry.

As a matter of fact I also have Bipolar and ADHD and am currently taking Lithium for bipolar and Concerta for the ADHD. It seems to be working just fine for me. What's more is that I was taking depakote before the Lithium and made the switch recently.

Different meds and combinations work for different people. What works for some may not work for others and what's important is having the patience to find the combination that works for your son specifically. If you think what he's on now isn't working, speak with his doctor, or have him speak with his doctor, depending on how old he is. It can take months, and sometimes years to find a good cocktail of meds, so make sure you're with a good psychiatrist who is willing to listen to your concerns and feedback.

The problem is that peoples' minds are so different the meds affect them all differently. The bad news is that even if someone tells you a combination that worked for them, it might or might not work for your son. It can take months to find the right combination for any one person. There are no magic fixes. Just trial and error and patience and hope as your doctor decides when to change the meds and which one to try next. When they do find the right medications for your son his life is going to improve so drastically you're going to be amazed. You don't say how old your son is. But one thing you need to watch for is that people who haven't found the right medication can make poor choices (alcohol, worse) while they are feeling so terrible. Once this starts the drugs won't work as they should.

My first observation is that he may not have been properly diagnosed. Unfortunately, ADHD/ADD are commonly confused, even by honest medical practitioners, with other forms of inexplicable hyperactivity, due to the current plethora of food additives causing virtually identical symptoms.

Even if it should take a bit of 'running around', I seriously suggest you get another qualified medical opinion, and at the same time double check his diet.

Approach the posibility of his having a bi-polar conditon after you have first exhausted the above inquiries.

As regards the medication alternatives, as noted by others who have kindly answered your question, it can be like playing 'Russian roulette'! Only after much trial and effort will you necessarily see success.

Keep positive and get that second, or even third, opinion!

He shouldn't be on Adderall if he's bipolar. Amphetamines trigger manic episodes. And he shouldn't have a diagnosis of ADHD and bipolar disorder, since bipolarity alone can explain all the symptoms of ADHD. Depakote and Risperdal is a good combination.

yep i've tried sooo many (depakote, abilify, zyprexa to name a few) and now i'm on Seroquel its amazing it calms you down so much but i'm still myself just dont start with too high a dosage cuz some people take too much and have this 'zombification' effect where you dont care about anything...

Your son probalby only has ADD with HD, it as in my case is easier to classify also as BiPolar.

Crisises bring out instability, the best medicine is prevention.

There are at least 6 kinds of A.D.D. each one has different symptoms and if needed cures. Look at it as a blessing in disguise, once focused on something he will do great in it, so encourage him in the good things, and try and keep him focused on what he desires to be in the future. Be very careful of the friends he chooses because we become like our friends

and with ADD we will excell for the good or the bad of those we are near, so help make it good to emulate.

any time he is put on more than one medication, only take one at a time, if it is for depression do it for 30 days if there is no change beginning at that point its not working. Watch out for side effects too.

the best help for me and anyone I am convinced is spiritual it will help the physicall, and Omega 3 helps thinking cold water fish oil gels.
when saw the bible truth of Romans 5:8 (chapter 5 verse 8) & 6:23 "God showed his love for us, in that while we were yet sinners, Jesus died for us." and "The payment for sin is separation from God, but the free gift of God is everlasting life, in Jesus the Messiah/Christ our master."
so i asked "Jesus help me I am sorry for my sins, even one lie, come into my heart and be my friend, amen."

he said he would in Revelation 1:1 & 3:19&20 speaking from heaven to each of us =
"I love you, and ask you to repent quickly even of one lie. Behold i am at your heart door knocking, if you ask me in to forgive sin and be your friend, I will enter in."

good question and praying for you and your son too, David