I wasn't diagnosed until age 43. It felt like a sick 3 ring circus..

I am one that can not in any way shape or form take an AD learned that on day 2 as I got flung into a mean ugly nasty dysphoric mania Took me weeks to level back down.

I have yet to ever see a person that is good to go on the first meds tried, Even my own Pdoc has never had a patient find the pot of gold first time.

Personally I am seeing more and more people being diagnosed later in life.. My daughter was diagnosed Bipolar 3 months after me... The only difference between my late diagnosis and my daughter being diagnosed at 19 was I had more baggage to work through in Therapy, I was able to look back in my life and think " Okay.. well that helps explain THAT" lol

Bipolar just needs attacked from all sides.. ,Meds if you go that route, Therapy, Huge box of coping skills and the ability to actually use them when needed, Exercise , Diet , Sleep hygiene and on and on.

One thing you really need to do is advise you General Doctor about your reaction to the AD so they will be aware in case they were to prescribe a medication that could possibly cause a problem.

I'm glad you got a med change and hope it works well for you