my son is 10 and has been taking Guanfacine 1mg for a few months now. At first it was great, he was paying attention in school, not defiant, not argumentative, HAPPY. Then a couple months ago, he started getting really sad, upset and angry really quick. He is constantly cussing and we are trying t correct it but it ends up with him getting more upset and angry. We have surrounded him with nothing but love, support and understanding but it’s too much for me. It’s affecting my mental health.
I have given him Omega 3, lions mane for mood. Magnesium for sleep. He joined the chess club, is into Pokémon and even started his own eBay account to sell them but no matter what, his mood takes over. He never seems happy and is constantly arguing over the simplistic things like put on a hoodie because it’s cold or Something simple like playing video games and losing or playing with his yo-yo and not being able to do the same trick again (even though he did it 15 times in a row).
As of lately his mood is too much for me to handle because I have 2 other kids, one who was recently diagnosed with autism.
Please anyone help me. He does see a therapist once a week but she is trying her best. His psychiatrist is constantly out of the country and the last appointment I suggested upping his dosage but it is a blood pressure medication and we are worried about it’s affects but he was against it because he said unless I get complaints from school about his behavior he should be fine.
Thanks you,
mom who’s drowning
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Momwhosdrowning
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Thanks for bringing this issue to the group. Of course we are not doctors, but when we were dealing with these same issues our Child Psycharist added an additional dose. Am and pm dose and this made a big difference. We were told 60% of symptoms go away with proper medication, proper timing and proper dose.
It sounds like you have really already done a lot for him.
Thank you for your response. I was scrolling through the other posts and noticed a few parents whose children taking Guanfacine are doing the same. Once in the morning and night.
We did start off morning but he was really tired at school then we switched to pm. I wonder if I should do the same AM and PM? Very interesting thank you again
So happy you were able to look back at other messages. Also do you know the time the RX is written for? Like how long would it last in his system?
I will also say we also used a stimulant with the Gufancine and now our son takes Wellbutrin. When we started our son on 2 medication is when we really saw a change in him.
This is the way his doctor described it: each medication has a job.. our son was just like your and also had all the hyperactivity symptoms: moved all the time, talked all the time, etc. So the Stimulant helped stop all of these. Then the Guanfacine helped with mood and focus.
Yes, sorry it’s an ER. From what I recall his dr said it’ll wear off within a few hours… so he takes it every night at 8pm and it stays with him till later in the afternoon. By the time he comes home from school he’s good then maybe an hour or 2 later he’s moody.
I’ve heard about wellburtrin. Can you share your child’s experience on it? I was hesitant on giving him a stimulant but it might work during the day while at school. It’s been a struggle on and off and some days I feel like I need to be on medication too because I get so easily frustrated but it isn’t his fault, it’s just how he was wired. I am doing more research again.
I love the way you said the way he is wired.. yes, he doesn't want to act that way. During COVID we could not get the stimulat medication becuase it was controlled. So his Child Psychartist offered for us to try it with the Guanfacine and we have not looked back. I think it also helps any anxiety he had that we didn't deal with so it has really been great. It has even stopped his impulsive behavior.
Hope you find the answer, since no one wants to live like that.
Sorry one more question- has your child experienced any other side affects like suicidal thoughts or loss of appetite while taking the Wellbutrin? I want to suggest this to my son’s psychiatrist.
My son started off with adderall xr a few years back snd he was twitching and not eating
None at all.. in fact I saw him not have as many anixity symptoms, that I didn't see before. Just being less worried and able to "go with the flow" more. So very positive.
I don't think lack of appetite is a side effect of Wellbutrin.
Wished we could have tried it younger for our son.
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