|
|
Post by Jenifer on Mar 4, 2007 21:31:40 GMT -5
Joy has been a terrible sleeper lately, which is effecting her performance in school. Every night she wakes at least once (usually three or four times) wanting to have a drink, go potty, or come in with us because she says she's scared. We have been very vigilant about her bedtime routine, always keeping it the same, no TV, sugar, caffeine or even eating well before bed. We do the potty, brush teeth, read, pray, tuck in routine the same every night, and she responds well to the routine, but never stays asleep through the night. We have also gone to great lengths to make her room just as she likes it so she is comfortable. The temperature and lights are right, and she doesn't seem to be having an environmental problem. The result is one tired kid and two tired parents who struggle to make it through the day. Her behavior in school has been terrible, so we took her to the pediatrician, who prescribed a drug to help her sleep that is actually intended as a treatment for ADD...Clonodine, I believe is the name. She has sort of slept all night since we began the drug. The first night she only got up once instead of three times. The second and third nights she slept all night, but last night she was up with at midnight for a couple of hours. Right now my husband is fighting to get her to go to sleep, despite the fact that we went sledding for two hours today (intense physical activity) and she has had her meds. Grrrr.... She is an active kid who gets a lot of exercise, and doesn't watch a whole lot of TV, so I can't even blame it on inactivity. I just don't know where to go with this. The ped suggested we might need to see the hospital's neurologist to discuss a sleep study, suggesting she might have apnea, but I don't see any signs of it when I observe her sleeping. And believe me, I've been watching. I am desperate for clues as to why she doesn't sleep well. Maybe she's just a kid who doesn't need a lot of sleep. Unfortunately, I am a mom who does.  Are any of your kiddos like this, and if so, what do you do? Jenifer, mom to Joy Daisy |
|
|
|
Post by liasmom on Mar 5, 2007 0:07:30 GMT -5
Sleep study might be worth it. Lia just turned 8, and in the past had always woken up during the night and slept like a blender. She was behaving badly at school and severely oppositional defiant at times. We did not do a sleep study as she did not snore unless she had strep. But we had her tonsils out due to repetitive strep infections. And since then she is sleeping better- in her own bed and all night. In general her behavior is better, too. Not perfect by a LONG shot but way better. So I am thinking she must have had some sort of sleep apnea due to tonsil size. nancy
|
|
|
|
Post by Emilysmom on Mar 5, 2007 8:29:53 GMT -5
Jenifer,
I wish I had more advice or experience to offer to you.....as I have gotten older, I realize how very important a full night's sleep is and how bad I feel when I don't get it! So, I feel for you and Joy!
Our 19 yr old son was diagnosed with ADHD when he was 6. He has taken Clonidine since then, and it has made a WORLD of difference in his ability to get a full night's sleep. The only drawback we've seen to that has been an occasional nightmare......and I noticed that was a possible side effect. (Vivid dreams, I think the info said). I'm NOT saying Joy should be tested for ADHD. I'm just saying I have experience with one of my kids taking Clonidine and it worked well for them.
All of that being said, I agree with Lia'smom about maybe having a sleep study done. It really could be that she's not breathing well at night and that's waking her up. And not getting enough sleep is sure to cause bad behaviors the next day!
Keep us posted,
Susan
|
|
|
|
Post by Gina on Mar 6, 2007 16:41:28 GMT -5
Ashton has always had sleep problems. She would get up in the middle of the night, turn every light on in the house and turn her cd player on high. Not a fun experience at 2:00 am!!! About 3 years ago, she started taking Ridalin and it has done wonders. That along with letting our dog sleep with her. That has helped a lot.
|
|
|
|
Post by theresaolohan on Mar 6, 2007 17:10:06 GMT -5
Daniel also wakes up most nights. we have a little bed in our room for him and when he wakes at night and comes into our room i put him into his little bed, and he goes off to sleep again. I stick to this routine and tell him to go back to sleep it is still night time. this means the three of us get a nights sleep. hope this helps
|
|
|
|
Post by Chris too on Mar 6, 2007 23:00:55 GMT -5
I agree with liasmom. If they find a problem, then you have a good chance of getting a solution, and if they don't, you'll have peace of mind. I'm confused about the prescribing an ADD drug for sleep troubles. Aren't these drugs stimulants? How does that work? BTW there's a great book about helping kids of all ages with sleep troubles (once you know it's not medical). It's called The No-cry Sleep Solution. It really came to my rescue when my 4th child would only sleep in 45 minute segments  Sorry I can't think of the author - Elizabeth something |
|
|
|
Post by Emilysmom on Mar 6, 2007 23:04:30 GMT -5
Chris,
Clonidine is not a stimulant at all. In fact, it is primarily used to control high blood pressure, but it doesn't do that all that well! (In fact, I was told by Justin's doctor that it wasn't a good antihypertensive, but a wonderful drug to use in kids with ADHD). It is actually used to counteract the effects of the stimulant meds and help kids go to sleep. Once while on vacation, I forgot to bring Justin's Concerta (he takes it in the mornings). We tried to "make it" through the day but poor Justin was bouncing off the walls. So, I decided to go ahead and give him his Clonidine a few hours early. BAD choice......he was almost a walking zombie within 30 minutes. He sleeps HARD on Clonidine. That's just one reason I prefer Melatonin.
Susan
|
|
|
|
Post by Gina on Mar 7, 2007 10:29:53 GMT -5
Ridalin (not sure of the spelling) is a stimulant, so I can't explain why it works. We resisted medication for years, but finally gave in with our doctors advice. It was the best thing we ever did. We were having major behavior problems, she was hitting and scratching her sister, not obeying at all and we were at wits end. Plus, she was not potty trained at that time (age 9). Within 3 weeks she was completely potty trained and the behavior was way better. Plus, as a bonus, it helped the sleeping. I think it just helps her concentrate better because it elimanates all the distractions. She will not take a pill, so they break it down into a liquid, and the last dose is at 3:00 pm. So I have no clue why it works, but it works
|
|
|
|
Post by Jodi on Mar 7, 2007 16:55:42 GMT -5
Although Ritalin is a classified as a stimulant, it effects people differently. Think about it, why give a kid with ADHD Ritalin? Believe me I know  We've gone through similar issues with Ryan (8). Really, if you think about it, sleep is an issues for a lot of kids around 5. We go through some periods now, but consistency is really the key. If Ryan hasn't had enough physical activity during the day, he is more restless a likely to wake up in the middle of the night. After we took care of the sleep apnea issue, it was no longer a medical reason, but more just behavior. Less sleep almost always translated into a bad day at school. It may be for attention. Again, rule out the medical possibilities (frequent potty requests during the day and at night? or just at night to drive you crazy?). One small sip of water just before lights out, and then NONE until the a.m. Period. Is there any reason she isn't using the bathroom on her own? As far as being scared... night lights? Stories about being scared? Being scared is a pretty typical problem. If you have to get up, I suggest being neutral. Just matter-of-factly say, okay, go to the bathroom and then get back in bed. No extra hugs and kisses, no affection. Dad has to do the same, or she won't get it. If she stays in bed, don't "thank" her the next day. Don't even mention it. Just stick with the routine, and get her to realize it is not an option to get up/stay up. It is hard work, but in the end you will be getting more sleep again. |
|
|
|
Post by Emilysmom on Mar 7, 2007 19:46:15 GMT -5
Justin's doctor explained years ago that we might have more luck getting Justin to slow down and fall asleep if we gave him his last dose of Ritalin (back in those days, he was taking Ritalin instead of Concerta...in 4 doses) because it would help him to calm down enough to allow himself to go to sleep. That never worked for us; even though it did calm him down. It wasn't until we cut back the Ritalin and used Clonidine for bedtime that he was able to go to sleep and stay asleep. We also tried him on Melatonin, but it didn't work for him at all like it has worked for Emily.
Susan
|
|
|
|
Post by Renee' on Mar 7, 2007 22:15:50 GMT -5
We can't give Lauren medication to sleep because of her heart condition. We do give her Melationin and it gets her to fall asleep.
Good luck to you!!
Renee'
|
|
|
|
Post by Jenifer on Mar 8, 2007 21:33:38 GMT -5
I guess my next questions are... Susan, has your ever built up a resistance to Clonidine? We're concerned that by giving it to Joy nightly, she may just end up needing the dosage upped for it to keep working. Already we went from a half pill to a full pill in the first four days. But I think that was just because her ped wanted to start her out small and increase if it wasn't working. Thoughts? Also, for those of you using Melatonin, is that a prescription drug or a homeopathic remedy? I've heard of it, but know nothing about it. We are working on getting her a sleep study, and will hopefully even be able to take her to the Down Syndrome Clinic at University of Iowa Hospital. We'll see...our insurance company doesn't like to pay for specialists. Anyway, thanks for all your great suggestions. Joy is probably sleeping through the night 4 out of 7 nights now, which is a vast improvement. However, I don't want to keep her on these drugs long term. We'll just have to keep hunting for solutions! Jenifer, mom to Joy Daisy |
|
|
|
Post by Emilysmom on Mar 8, 2007 21:41:39 GMT -5
Jenifer,
Yes. Justin started out at 0.05mg of Clonidine. As he grew, the doc upped the dosage a bit. Every doc keeps telling us that it's ok; no harmful side effects, etc. But, I do worry because Justin really struggles to fall asleep at all if we are out of Clonidine. In those cases, he takes Melatonin....but says it doesn't seem to work for him as well.
Melatonin is much more "natural". You can buy it at health food stores, at the Walmart Pharmacy, Target, etc. Check with your doc for the correct strength for Joy's age and size.
Susan
|
|
&
Susan, Proud mom of Michael (32), Justin (25) Emily (22ds), and Jordan (20).
