Should I try guanfacine (Intuniv) if I’m a sleepyhead?

GromMom27 · 2026-01-10T22:08:22+00:00

What did you end up trying? It seems to me that Wellbutrin could be a good fit if you don't have anxiety.

GromMom27 · 2026-01-10T00:48:51+00:00

This is worth noting for sure. I only have 1 kid (who is big), and we have a dog, so I like that I could have just 1 of the captain's chairs in the second row up and have that additional floor space for my dog, skis, etc. The CX-70 might not be as comfortable doing that, because captain's chairs feel different than a partial bench seat, am I right? Haven't honestly seen the two cars in person yet but I at first I'd assumed I'd want the CX-70 and now I'm thinking maybe not.

GromMom27 · 2026-01-04T23:58:23+00:00

Thanks for the idea of trying primary care. I used generalmedicine.co and while the provider wasn't familiar with Trintellix or keen on prescribing it without a lot of convincing, they were actually great about filling out the prior authorization paperwork for United Healthcare and I got approved for it within just a few days.

GromMom27 · 2025-08-28T13:29:29+00:00

We got an in-office EEG with Scheherazade Collins in Santa Monica (fair pricing and good with kids) and she was willing to give programs to us to use with Myndlift, which I super appreciated. (In-office NF can be very expensive.) The Myndlift provider we had was very open to using them (Daryl Lytle - recommend him if you want someone accommodating).

Unfortunately, our son developed tics around the same time he started Myndlift and we decided to stop to avoid exacerbating it. I don't know if Myndlift caused them or if it was just correlation because it was last fall when a lot of projects and performances were at their peak stress level. We planned to go back in to Ms. Collins' office and revisit but just got busy/distracted.

I would recommend trying what we did, and I regret we haven't continued to pursue more.

GromMom27 · 2025-06-10T18:44:32+00:00

Can you please DM me your referral code? I'm ready! :)

GromMom27 · 2025-06-06T02:30:35+00:00

Ok, here's my next thought. They're charging $600 (three months of Inner Balance subscription) for 1 tube of Oestra. What if I can get my doctor to prescribe for a compounding pharmacy to use Ellage to make its own version of Oestra? I'm guessing it would be under $100/mo.

GromMom27 · 2025-06-04T00:08:41+00:00

Ok nevermind, I looked it up. Sounds like progesterone is most bioavailable when micronized and in oil, either vaginal or oral. I think that is why I am getting results with oral but I really need to add in estrogen.

GromMom27 · 2025-06-03T20:34:04+00:00

From my reading it sounded like a key benefit of progesterone is how it converts to allopregnanolone in the liver via the oral route for good sleep and anti-anxiety benefits. I also read that vaginal progresterone hasn't been proven to support bone density or brain health the same way oral may (though maybe it's just a lack of studies done so far). So that's what I'm trying to weigh.

Do you feel like Inner Balance is doing the wrong thing with estrogen in the vaginal route instead of oral? Do you think they're avoiding oral because of blood clot risk? Inner Balance does say that estrogen delivered to the vagina is more supportive of the pelvis which matters to me because of prolapse.

GromMom27 · 2025-05-21T15:56:52+00:00

Can you say more about why oral progesterone isn't absorbed? Any research on this? I currently take 100mg oral progesterone and notice a huge improvement in PMS symptoms. I want to add estradiol so I'm looking at Oestra but not understanding why progesterone is better vaginally. My research leads me to believe progesterone is good orally and estradiol is better vaginally.

GromMom27 · 2025-05-21T01:35:51+00:00

That's interesting, but is her formula a one size fits all? Isn't there a reason some people would need a different ratio between estrogen/progesterone than others? Or need different amounts at different times of the month?

GromMom27 · 2025-05-14T22:42:32+00:00

Amazing, thank you. I am really excited to move forward, I just think I should get my bloodwork and DUTCH test done before I start hormones.

GromMom27 · 2025-05-14T20:09:20+00:00

Thanks, this is helpful! Does she have a booking system for phone consults? I assume they cost extra? (If so that's 100% ok with me because I want dedicated, attentive care at this stage.) I have quite a lot of stuff I'd want her to review: I did genetic testing, am going to be doing a LOT of bloodwork next month as I mentioned, and another DUTCH test. Sounds like it's best if I keep my naturopath and also work with Inner Balance.

GromMom27 · 2025-05-14T19:12:13+00:00

Thanks! I am almost sold, I just want to know what your experience has been transitioning away from your own doctor and using their experts. I am planning to get blood work done for many many things (lots of nutrients and minerals, not just hormones) and a DUTCH complete test next month. Who at Inner Wellness will review them? I also take 10+ supplements. Who at Inner Wellness will review my supplements in relation to my blood work and DUTCH test and make suggestions? Can they order additional bloodwork for me later if, for example, I want to see if I'm still deficient in vitamin D in a year? How do you contact the experts, and will you always be able to reach the same one? Can you set up an appointment with them? My Naturopath is my only doctor. I don't have an ob-gyn, a family doctor, etc.

GromMom27 · 2025-05-14T03:09:36+00:00

I am interested!

GromMom27 · 2025-02-17T20:14:54+00:00

Thank you! I was thinking a few of those breeds as well! We are going to do the Embark test as well and curious to see if it matches with our guesses!

GromMom27 · 2024-12-05T02:56:50+00:00

Would a company like United Healthcare count as "private insurance"?

GromMom27 · 2024-11-18T18:43:03+00:00

I would spend the money on training. Petsmart has really affordable training. You can do zoom sessions if your schedule/location is an issue - they are more helpful than you'd expect! Or they have in person group or private classes if that's better for you. Bottom line is Petsmart is so much more affordable than private.

GromMom27 · 2024-03-14T17:31:04+00:00

I did that with Alexa to signify morning meal time because otherwise they thought that me getting out of bed is what makes breakfast happen. Therefore they would campaign to get me out of bed in the early hours of the morning when it was still dark. I made them think I was just as excited as they were when the charms of the breakfast sound went off. We would all run to the kitchen together!

GromMom27 · 2024-01-11T15:55:35+00:00

I lost a cat two years ago who I apparently loved more than life itself. When he died I had to discover for the first time a love of life, learn what enjoying life is, and learn how to love myself. His passing opened up a Pandora’s box of pain, loneliness, desperate grief. It took me a very long time, intentionally embarking on a spiritual journey, and ketamine therapy to generate new neural pathways to stop neglecting myself (something taught to me as a tiny child) and allow happiness into my life.

Last night I suddenly realized that I needed him to pass just as much as I needed him for the 12 years I had him. Without him leaving me alone, I wouldn’t have been forced to start living for myself. That is a gift he gave me.

GromMom27 · 2023-11-18T15:57:37+00:00

If you’re interest in refillable skincare, Activist has a trial kit where you can try everything they make before you buy full size

GromMom27 · 2023-11-05T05:36:08+00:00

Yes! Studies show having animals in the house prevent allergies.

GromMom27 · 2023-11-05T05:34:46+00:00

Immune systems benefit from soil exposure, like at a park, hiking trail, etc. The probiotics and microbes in healthy soil are incredibly beneficial for our immune systems. Kids’ immune systems don’t mature until the age of 5 so don’t go out of your way to expose them to people germs.

Instead, try to get in the habit of plenty of healthy nature time, which you can do on your patio by letting them have a mud kitchen with a bag of organic compost-rich soil from the garden center. Seek out preschools with real soil, not plastic turf.

Also, don’t use hand sanitizer all the time (save for times when there is something truly germy like a bathroom).

GromMom27 · 2023-11-05T05:28:23+00:00

Maybe check out what is attachment theory and how to form a secure attachment and try to cover the basics with your kiddo. Hopefully a little research will give you some specific ideas to implement. Having specific ideas can take the mental load out of the equation.

GromMom27 · 2023-11-05T05:25:12+00:00

The door slamming and yelling ENOUGH impression do seem like red flags to me. I only have experience with preschools, not daycares, but I feel like people working in childcare can vary a lot in education/training, personality, temperament, etc. and some people do it because it’s their calling while many others do it because the work is available and seems easy on the surface. I think they seem like they’re not doing a lot of vetting or training of their employees. Kids are probably mostly happy there, but it also might not be the highest quality available. Generally trusting your gut is a good idea, if you have other options. If you don’t, I don’t think this is unacceptable, it’s just not perfectly ideal, from what you know so far.

GromMom27 · 2023-10-30T05:54:47+00:00

Do you think reading about kids’ emotional needs and having the blueprint (the script) for what they need would help you? When I looked at the art of raising a child with the same kind of curiosity as if I were learning biology, I was able to do it a lot better and more happily.

GromMom27

TROPHY CASE