postr/StutterApril 16, 2015

Guanfacine - almost curing my stutter

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Guanfacine - almost curing my stutter I'm in my early 30's and have stuttered all my life. I'm also relatively skinny (6'0, 157), which I mention only because Guanfacine is normally prescribed to children as a *non-stimulant* medication for ADD. It's also prescribed as an alpha-blocker for blood pressure and anxiety. I started with 0.5mg 2x a day, and am now taking 1mg 2x along with Concerta (extended release Ritalin, which I was prescribed a couple months prior to the Guanfacine). I know some folks are uncomfortable with this kind of medication, but I'll be damned if my stutter isn't almost completely gone. So is the anxiety about stuttering; I'm much more comfortable making small talk. Within a few days of the Guanfacine my wife remarked that my speech was much better. Within a few weeks all my friends are noticing too, as are my coworkers. It's amazing. it's interesting because the doctor was hesitant to prescribe Ritalin since apparently there's a link between stuttering and dopamine, but even that improved my speech somewhat. The Guanfacine though was a godsend. Again, it's a non-stimulant medication prescribed for conditions other than ADD. I'm not sure how to go about asking a doctor for it, but I'm going to be talking to mine extensively because she's extremely curious about what's happening. I believe my stutter is directly related to anxiety about speaking or speaking too quickly. Apparently it's called "pressure of speech." That may be key in why it's working. I'm not sure. I don't work for a pharmaceutical company; in fact, I work in an industry which requires a lot of networking and conversation. It's like my focus is on speaking and what's going on, rather than letting my mind go down the stuttering loop rabbit hole. TL;DR After only a few weeks, the non-stimulant medication Guanfacine (maybe in combination with extended release Ritalin) has made my stutter all but disappear.

Themes

Meds & SubstancesEmotional Experience

Subthemes

Helpful Med OutcomesStimulants & CaffeineAnxiety & Social Judgment

Codes (1)

stimulants_prescribed