Guanfacine.. game changer wow
Positive story after 4+ years of struggling.
Parent here with a 5 year old boy with many milestone delays, hyperactivity, demand avoidance/defiance, receptive and expressive speech delays, likely some PTSD from being a chronic asthmatic and many traumatic hospital visits, one that resulted in respiratory failure and the PICU. We have been through hell with him since 2021 and today is the first day my husband and I genuinely felt peace in our soul at home. I can’t believe it. We started him on 1 mg of guanfacine last night. He has been emotionally present and more articulate and complete in his thoughts and actions. Slowed down, but in a good way. I’ve seen a version of my son I never thought was possible.
I am an experienced mental health therapist, but not with children. I also worked in an ABA clinic in my early 20s with children on the Autism spectrum along with other complex health diagnoses. But I am not an expert parent, sadly lol. I have had many days in the past where I did not want to be here anymore due to all of the trauma with our son. I never knew being a parent could actually be enjoyable. I have always been an advocate for medication and have observed the real results to show it. (I know it’s not for everyone so this is not medication advice).
I honestly think this set the stage for me advocating for my son to be on the medications he is on today. Let me tell you… when people judge and say “it’s a parenting issue”… it’s not. It’s lack of awareness and providers not listening to parents in addition to poor experiences or stigma- oh and many other things I’m sure. I had to fight the doctors to get him a referral for a pulmonologist and now he’s on a biologic after all the world’s inhalers and steroids. And more recently- I had to go against what the pediatrician said and get him prescribed something for his anxiety and behavior where I have seen first-hand results from both children and adults.
I don’t regret my decisions at all. If anyone out there is feeling desperate or at a loss, please know that you are not alone. Just thought I’d put this out there in the universe somewhere. The fight is worth it.