Wow! There's a few drawbacks, but I really think 2mg risperdal is working.  It has been a crazy month: sick, monthly bill, sick, and an extra kid for two weeks.  I haven't had a normal scheduled day in over five weeks.  And some poor foolhardy parent asked me to watch over her teen while she left the state to bury a family member.  Two weeks with three teens really tests your strength, especially emotional teens. 

But despite everything, I haven't freaked.  I haven't busted out angry.  I haven't cried for no reason.  I've actually been on the up and up.  Sure, I've had to resort to a few naps... my sleeping schedule went down the tubes weeks ago.  But I am pretty sure I feel fine.  Did ya hear that?  Fine!  Not reckless or spazzed or exhausted.... Fine. 

I only have a few drawbacks.  Strictly speaking, two major ones and one generalized one.  The two major shortcomings are my elbow joints.  I have arm and hand strength, but my elbow joints ache so much.  I can't lift anything if I have to bend at the elbow.  I can lift shopping bags from the gound and drag them in.  I can pull back on the dog leash.  But I can barely pull the clothes out of the washer.  I can't pull the garbage bag out of the can unless it's filled with only papers and empty cans.  Sometimes it gets so bad I can barely hold a glass of ice water to drink it.  (I wouldn't normally let it get so bad, but I was out of the house running a few errands.)  At home, I'd take a few advil and a benadryl or two and crash for a nap.  Generally, I can feel my joints creek, the same sensation as if you rub your finger over a balloon and make that thuttuttut sound to scare the cat.  Really weird.  But the pain should get better.  I saw my pdoc yesterday and I'm going to add a med that will replace the benadryl to help with the aches and pains.  I think it's called conjointin or something like that.  Dunno- it currently sits at the pharmacy awaiting its rescue.  Since it will take a few weeks for this new med to kick in, I'll still be taking a nap with benny.  But overall, it looks like a little pain has a lot to gain.  Things seem to be on the right track.  Maybe risperdal was my hero after all.  It's kind of like living with a sloppy cook; you always get stuck doing the dishes, but wow that meal was awesome.  >grin<