My Cup Runneth Over

Today I had an interview with a member of our Stake presidency. While we were talking he asked me about my testimony and as I answered I was overcome with emotion and started to cry. I am so so blessed. The experiences in my life have given me such strength and solidified my testimony that it overwhelms me at times like today when the reality of it is spoken.

These past few years have, at times, been very hard for me as I tried to figure out how to best parent my ADHD son. Repeatedly I have prayed and prayed for the right path to the right services to help us and repeatedly my prayers have been answered.

Our pediatrician noticed the ADHD symptoms first when Mr. B was quite young. He didn't panic me but just said to "keep and eye on it" since he was only 18 months old at the time. I didn't think much of Mr. B's high activity level, thinking he was "just being a boy." I am blessed to have such a wonderfully understanding pediatrician who listens, takes my concerns seriously and refers us to only the very best experts when necessary. Mr. B was diagnosed with ADHD after 4 months of study by Children's Hospital at the age of 3.

As Mr. B grew and our patience was tried repeatedly my SIL guided me to our school district which ultimately led me to Encompass NW and their PCIT program. Mr. B and I worked closely with Michelle and after 14 weeks were successful graduates of the program. Because of our success I knew Mr. B's ADHD could be managed mostly through behavior modification vs. ADHD medications, which at the time I strongly opposed.

As Mr. B got older and presented some new challenges for us in preschool and at home I looked for more answers as I knew this was an ongoing issue and we needed ongoing support, indefinitely. I joined several ADHD support organizations and regularly attended meetings. It was at one such meeting that we (AH and I) heard a national ADHD expert and MD (who also has ADHD himself) talk about medications as a important step in helping a person with ADHD. He was able to answer many of my personal questions and concerns regarding medications, though I still did not like some of the side effects. It's a very hard and personal decision when a parent looks at medicating their child. To be put into a position of having to weigh side effects (such as stunted growth) with overall life success is exceedingly difficult.

At the time we were not coping well at home and decided maybe it was time to give the meds a try (though deep down I still did not want to go that route). We tried 4 different ADHD medications with no success. Each one made AH manic, altered his fun personality and ultimately we decided was not a viable option for us.

It was right around this time that I found Brain Health NW. I took AH in to meet with Dr. Pomeroy to discuss what his clinic might offer us. Due to Mr. B's young age there wasn't much Dr. Pomeroy could offer that we hadn't already tried. It was near the end of our appointment when the doctor brought up medications. He knew our history with them and in no way pushed me into pursuing more medications but he did bring up another medication that had success with certain ADHD patients without the harmful side effects. Guanfacine is a blood pressure medication that has had success in clinical trials for the treatment of ADHD and is currently being investigated by the FDA for approval as an ADHD medication.

"It has been shown that guanfacine, the active ingredient in INTUNIV, binds selectively to alpha 2A adrenergic cell receptors located in the part of the brain called the prefrontal cortex. The prefrontal cortex is an area of the brain associated with executive functioning, i.e., working memory, behavioral inhibition, regulation of attention, distractibility, impulsivity, and frustration tolerance. The selective alpha-2A agonist strengthens working memory and prefrontal cortex neuronal firing. This research supports the use of guanfacine for the treatment of ADHD."

Because of its known history and the non-side effects (though it can cause nuisances like drowsiness if too much is taken) we decided to give it a try. It took a few days to get the right dosage but ultimately we have had tremendous success. The medication has the exact effect I was looking for without the guilt. It helps Mr. B to have a calmer body that allows him to have better impulse control and judgement. It does not alter his personality or change the great kid we know into child we don't recognize.

At this same time, through a friend, we found out about a study being offered through the UW Parenting Clinic for "children who are difficult to parent" (I love how they put it!). After a quick phone interview it was determined that we definitely qualified and would be apart of the study. The Incredible Years program was a true answer to my prayers. During our weekly session (we met for 20 weeks - 2 hours per session) Mr. B went off to "dinosaur school" and AH and I went to our own class. While we parents learned, practiced, encouraged and studied better parenting skills our children learned, practiced, encouraged and studied to be self aware, verbalize their feelings, self sooth, and coping techniques. I can honestly say it was a life changing experience for our family (in the very best way).

So in moments like today, when I think of my answered prayers that have helped to build and shape my testimony, how could I not be overcome with emotion. I KNOW my Heavenly Father lives. I KNOW He knows ME personally and that He loves me without end. I am truly blessed and lately, as I count my many blessings, I can't help but feel as though My Cup Runneth Over (Psalms 23:5) and sometimes right out of my eyes.

Thank you to all the wonderful teachers in an exceptional school district, incredible friends, amazing primary teachers, in-laws who support support and support us (thanks for all the articles, babysitting, and especially love) and everyone else who has touched our lives during these past years.

Thank you to everyone - thank you so much, and don't mind me if on occasion I break into bouts of tears, I'm just counting my blessings.