When Kids Can't Sleep, YOU Can't Sleep
Kids with ADHD often have trouble falling asleep. And mine is no different. She’s been on sleep meds for many years and though they sedate her, she fights the sensation and becomes even more hyperactive. At her last doctor’s visit, the psychiatrist suggested a trial of Intuniv, a new medication for ADHD. We’re on our second week and second dose increase, so I’ll let you know how things go.
How many of you have kids who just can’t seem to settle down at night? What tips can you offer?
PS Read more info on Intuniv from one of my favorite bloggers/writers, Dr. Charles Parker
And learn more about this new med from the manufacturer's site HERE
Comment
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Comment by Pauline on February 3, 2010 at 5:51pm
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We have had success with two things. 5mg of melatonin on typical nights and on those "no way is she going down soon" nights we give her something called Tranquil Sleep from Natural Factors. You would want to check with your doctor if your child is medicated to be safe. Our doctor OK'd these things for our girl when she was on Adderrall.
Tranquil Sleep is chewable and has1.5 mg of melatonin, 15 ml of 5-HTP, and 100 ml of L-Theanine. It costs more than plain melatonin but if nightmares are a problem the 5-HTP in there is worth it. With the melatonin alone we sometimes get bed wetting, an on again-off again condition that seems to show up when anxiety is high. We have been giving these things to our daughter for 3 years. She is 8 now. We can go to a hotel and actually sleep. The only time they don't work is if we give it to her too early in the evening. She fights the sleep off. Half an hour-45 minutes before bed works. PJ's first or they may end up sleeping in their clothes!
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Comment by Lovemypirates1121 on January 25, 2010 at 5:25pm -
My younger son seems to have this problem, but his complaint is usually that he's tired but his brain is just too "busy" to fall asleep. I know how that is! LOL! Heck, there are times I'll stay up till I'm about to pass out so I won't lie wide awake for hours.
One thing that helps is putting a bit of lavender oil on his pillow
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Comment by Terry Matlen on January 21, 2010 at 10:39am -
Aha!
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Comment by Melissa on January 21, 2010 at 10:24am -
She tells me she thinks she had/has it.
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Comment by Terry Matlen on January 21, 2010 at 9:58am
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Melissa,
it's worth opening up communication with her. Like you said, things were different in those days. She didn't know. Plus, as ADHD is highly genetic, is it possible she might have it too and simply couldn't deal with all the chaos?
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Comment by Melissa on January 21, 2010 at 1:27am
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Woops to not too.
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Comment by Melissa on January 21, 2010 at 1:25am
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Well my mom gets sad when its brought up she feels bad for how things were handled. Back then they did not even think about a child being ADD/ADHD hide your problems I guess. I will have my mom post to this if I can get her too. :)
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Comment by Terry Matlen on January 20, 2010 at 7:18pm -
Aha! Could be!
Would be interesting to have a chat with them about it. Maybe you could work things out now that you have this perspective?
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Comment by Melissa on January 20, 2010 at 6:57pm
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I just relized something here. When I was a kid I went through rough nights of crying, feeling alone, and hating bedtime. From childhood to teen years. Nowdays I just stay up late until I am so drained and tired. I think my sleeping issues have caused a lot of issues with me and my parents. Tired,grumpy, and upset. They were not happy with me. Hmmmmm! Things to think about.
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