Sleep Issues?

[aimee8305]

So obviously Im new to my son taking meds. Well his sleep cycle is all kinds of messed up now and I am exhausted. ANybody have problems when it came to sleep when you first started? The ironic thing here is I work in a sleep study lab. Now I dont administer them my pts are having fun picking on me because I cant stop yawning...oops

[misty]

My daughter had horrible sleep issues & she was unmedicated. We tried clonidine, which worked but I wasn't comfortable with it as its actually a blood pressure med at higher doses for adults. Then we tried Melatonin which I loved because its natural, you can use it as needed (instead of needing to use it every night & then eventually wean off of it, as the clonidine). I still keep some on hand even though Shannon is almost 17 now & sleeps normally. There is occasionally a night or 2 that she just can't sleep at all. In a pinch, a benedryl will work too. My daughter has allergies so when she had a bad day with those, I'd give her a benedryl & knock out 2 problems at once.

When she was small she refused to sleep in her room. We made a bed of sorts on our floor that she could come to instead of waking everyone up by crawling in with us. This way, she was still able to be in our room & comfortable without all of us having a restless night. That worked really well & FINALLY at age 8 or so, she started sleeping all night in her own room. I swear I thought for awhile there though that she'd be still sleeping with us an adult!

[aimee8305]

I have been giving my son the melatonin at night for a few nghts now and I just dont know. His psych dr is the one that told me to give him the melatonin and start at 3 mg. He is still trying to climb in my bed at 3-4 in te morning! I mean he goes right on to sleep at bedtime but something is compelling him to get up. I have just put my sons bed in my room because its easier then him slamming doors which he does no matter what time of day.

I soo need a break. Thankfully his mimi is taking him on Saturday night so momma can actually get some rest. WOO HOO!!!

[jj]

One of the hard things about having cyber friends (new and old) is knowing how desperately they need a break and you are helpless to provide that break.

I'm so glad you are getting a tiny reprieve.

I think melatonin is the preferred sleep aid so I hope it does help your son. I know I've read here and on other sites, parents desperate for sleep so they put on a movie for their "alert" child to watch in the wee hours of the morning. I know others have tried soft music to relax them so they can get back to sleep and it seems those things worked for some and not for others.

I do hope things get better for you and your son soon.

[aimee8305]

Thank you JJ. Ya I never thought to do some of those but I think Ill go get one of those environmental sound thingys. Ill try just about anything at this point.

And the count down begins.... My son will be going to his mimi's in about 3 hrs. Is it bad that Im counting down?

[bugsmom]

Aimee...enjoy your day!! And no, it's not bad your counting the hours. I still do that sometimes...lol!!! I'm glad your getting a little break.

[aimee8305]

Thank you! And my lil man is officially out of the house....now I have no clue what to do....any suggestions lol

[jill]

we were told by Pediatrician to use Benedryl. We use the melatonin as needed and on the occasion it does not work we use the benedryl which does happen.

[katiekat]

Before Sean was medicated (he is diagnosed with ADHD and Bipolar) he never slept. His psych gave him Atarax which worked wonderfully. I tried melatonin at one point but it did nothing. Once he was on meds though the sleeping problems thankfully ended.