Probably the most important thing is to get the right meds for stabilizing the mood. Pilgrims suggestions are all excellent for modifying the environment to make it easiest to sleep. It also helps to keep the lights down low in the evening, and no exercise right before bed.
--
Brenda,51, TBMF Parent to Parent Volunteer Mom to A, 17, BP, Tourette's, OCD, ADHD: Eskalith CR, Lamictal, Cytomel, Allegra E, 15 1/2, BP,AS: Seroquel, Eskalith CR, inositol, Buspar B, 14 & H, 11 Married 18 years to DH, 50
FROM TBMF: Do not start, stop, or change medications or other treatments for yourself or your child based on what you read on this Website or elsewhere on the Internet. Information presented here should not replace the considered judgement of a doctor who knows you or your child.
My dd never has slept...EVER. I do what pilgrim suggested: lavender bubble bath, quiet time, etc. No T.V. or anything in her room...some nights some music. But really, the only thing that is working for her right now is trazadone. I was completely against it but after years of no sleep myself, I had to give in.
I did try laying with her, but she could talk ALL night and then get mad when I fell asleep. Melatonin never worked, but that's probably because she's not stable.
--
L Anxiety, Lexapro Mom to: T (16) Mood disorder (Depression, Anxiety, OCD, BP, SA, ADD?), Risperdal 1mg morning/night, Zoloft 150 mg., Abilify 5mg., Trazadone 100 mg. Also has hypoplastic left heart syndrome (open heart surgery 3X), Lisinopril, Aspirin 10th grade-currently going to school online at home. J (13) J and C (10)
In our experience, we needed to view lack of sleep as a medical emergency. Sleep was needed no matter what big gun drugs might be necessary at the moment to stop it. We used Hyland's Insomnia formula, or Xanax, or Lorazepam (Ativan), or hydroxyzine, or Seroquel.... whatever tools the doctor had okayed. Once they are stable... they are OK... they won't need so much sleep vigilence unless they have a sleep disorder separate from everything else.
In the meantime, get the pdoc on board to give you the tools necessary to address this.
--Jeanie aka "Naomi" ItsNotMental-Sleep is Critical Older dd: formerly(?) teen-onset bipolar (morphed into ultradian cycling): "Recovered" after over 13 years - stable off psych meds almost two years. Now fine on just diet changes and higher thyroid levels (after healing - addressing gut issues/Candidal overgrowth while using EMPowerPlus and other supplements). She added EMpowerPlus back on just because she feels better on it - gets sick less often. Younger dd: formerly(?) Childhood-onset schizoaffective, TS, OCD, anxiety, PTSD, migraines. After over 15 years, is now "recovered" for almost 5 years after treating endocrine issues, food sensitivities, gut issues, sleep issues, nutritional/mitochondrial needs.
I myself used trazadone for sleep, but I was so tired the next day. My daughter is also having sleep problems, it takes hours to get her to sleep and she wakes in the middle of the night and early in the morning. This cannot be good for a child, or anyone for that matter. Please let me know what works.
We have had good success for many years with low dose Seroquel. DS17 takes 25mg at night, DS16 takes 75mg.
--
Brenda,51, TBMF Parent to Parent Volunteer Mom to A, 17 1/2, BP, Tourette's, OCD, ADHD: Eskalith CR, Lamictal, Cytomel, Allegra E, 16, BP,AS: Seroquel, Eskalith CR, inositol, Buspar B, 14 1/2 & H, 11 1/2 Married 18 years to DH, 51
FROM TBMF: Do not start, stop, or change medications or other treatments for yourself or your child based on what you read on this Website or elsewhere on the Internet. Information presented here should not replace the considered judgement of a doctor who knows you or your child.
P takes .10 mg of risperdone at bedtime, along with 25mg of seroquel & 5mg of melatonin. His Pdoc said that the melatonin will help him get to sleep & the others will help him sleep all day long. He said that was a key factor for our kids is sleep.
Sue--Mother of P- 11 yr old son bipolar mixed, lamictal 150mg, risperdone .5mg 2X's day, .10mg risperdone once with serqouel .25 mg at bed time. Risperdal .5 mg meltaways as needed as PRN. Have tried stattera, adderall xr, concentra, clonidine, intuniv, risperdal, trilepta, vyvanse, lithiuml..sure I missed a few. 1.5 year old full of energy daughter expecting child # 3 in July married to supporting husband
What's helped my son sleep most has been Clonidine. It's technically an antihypertensive medication but has a calming effect. He can not sleep without it, as we learned a few years ago when the docs tried to wean him off. I'd be careful with Vystaril (Hydroxizine) and Benadryl as they can make some children manic. That's how E reacted to them with the complete opposite effect that they were trying to get. Many people benefit from adding in Melatonin which is a natural supplement. The CAM forum knows more about that and what doses would be appropriate if that's something you want to consider. --
Seekingsunshine76 from MA Email: seekingsunshine76@yahoo.com Co-Mod Very Young 2 with Mmsun and Erica Co-Mod Support 3 with Ruth, Carolyn and Cindy Chat Mod
Mom to: "Honeybunches" (9 y.o) DX: PDD-NOS, BP, SPD, ADHD, GAD, NLD, Receptive-Expressive Language Disorder, delayed but making steady progress. MEDS: Abilify 5 mg 2x day, Tenex 1 mg 3x day, Lithium 300 am/pm, Clonidine .2 mg, Cogentin .5 mg 2x day. SCHOOL: 3rd grade Substantially separate Classroom, IEP, Speech, PT, OT, Counseling, Social Skills group, 1:1 aid, safety plan, BIP; ESY services; In counseling and has a therapeutic mentor.
"Shnooks" 17 y.o stepson. Currently in BTR under DCF custody... DH & I got full sole custody in 2004. DX: BP, CD, ODD, PTSD, ADHD; CHINS in DCF custody; BTR Placement; probation until 18. Current meds: Loratidine, Claritin, Adderall, Zyprexa, Trileptal, Trazadone and Zoloft; WILL NOT BE COMING BACK HOME.
"Angel": age 15; No diagnoses; Signs of depression; substance abuse; "Princess": age 12; No diagnoses but behavioral issues at school and has other concerning behaviors;
"And when it rains on your parade, look up rather than down. Without the rain there would be no rainbow." Jerry Chin "Sunshine is my quest". ~Winston Churchill
Clonidine was just added for my daughter for sleep. The problem I'm seeing with that is that she wakes up in the middle of the night and needs a second dose. This break in sleep isn't good for either of us. Are there any other meds that help with sleep for a young child? (melatonin does not work for my DD)
We use 25 mg of Benadryl sometimes, it is safe and dd thinks it helps and sometimes I think that's why it works! Our pdoc mentioned using atarax, it has a fairly quick onset, is non adictive and is sedating, it is actually for used for itchyness too
--
Shell 37, registered nurse. No issues DH- no issues, trying to deal with DD diagnosis DS 15- smart happy well adjusted Teenager DS 12- happy normal kid, sensitive to his sisters outbursts DD 9- Looks like Mood disorder NOS, chronic irritability- was on Abilify 2mg then Tofranil (that was a misteke and led to this rapid cycling! OOPS) Just starting Trileptal this week 150 mg after school
Atarax is hydroxyzine, an antihistamine often used for itching and hives. Because of it's sedative properties, it is also used as a mild sedative.
--
Brenda,51, TBMF Parent to Parent Volunteer Mom to A, 17 1/2, BP, Tourette's, OCD, ADHD: Eskalith CR, Lamictal, Cytomel, Allegra E, 16, BP,AS: Seroquel, Eskalith CR, inositol, Buspar B, 14 1/2 & H, 11 1/2 Married 18 years to DH, 51
FROM TBMF: Do not start, stop, or change medications or other treatments for yourself or your child based on what you read on this Website or elsewhere on the Internet. Information presented here should not replace the considered judgement of a doctor who knows you or your child.
Clonidine was just added for my daughter for sleep. The problem I'm seeing with that is that she wakes up in the middle of the night and needs a second dose. This break in sleep isn't good for either of us. Are there any other meds that help with sleep for a young child? (melatonin does not work for my DD)
I know that even the strongest narcolepsy medication to correct sleep architecture works in 4 hour chunks and they must take the second dose in the middle of the night after 4 hours of sleep. I will also say what finally helped my younger daughter, but this was UNDER THE SUPERVISION of an MD specializing in Integrative medicine. He replaced her Seroquel with a specific amount of Tryptophan. She also used the melatonin AND a product called "Nutra-Sleep."
Jeanie aka "Naomi" It's Not Mental-Facebook Older dd: formerly(?) teen-onset bipolar (morphed into ultradian cycling): "Recovered" after over 13 years - stable off psych meds almost two years. Now fine on just diet changes and higher thyroid levels (after healing - addressing gut issues/Candidal overgrowth while using EMPowerPlus and other supplements). She added a little EMpowerPlus back on as a multivitamin simply because she feels better on it - gets sick less often. Younger dd: formerly(?) Childhood-onset schizoaffective, TS, OCD, anxiety, PTSD, migraines. After over 15 years, is now "recovered" for 5 years after treating endocrine issues, food sensitivities, gut issues, sleep issues, nutritional/mitochondrial needs.
So sorry. Not much works when their brain is upset or manic.
When they go to bed less keyed up, that helps. Turn off TV and hour before bed,
read, color, play a board game to unwind. Hope your doc can help you find something.
But I have no good ideas. Oh yes, we DID use Rite Aid Sleep Aid once for a while and
that helped. The ingredient was an antihistamine OTHER THAN benadryl, which
always kept our daughter awake. Lavender oil baths or massage oils might help, too,
just for relaxing.
Hope you find something. Hang in there. I have also let our daughter sleep on the
floor of our room or have layed down in her bed with her just to keep her quiet enough
to eventually fall asleep and get a nap.
--
Pilgrim, dd 20 , BP, PDD, PTSD; risperdal, and other meds being trialed.
Probably the most important thing is to get the right meds for stabilizing the mood. Pilgrims suggestions are all excellent for modifying the environment to make it easiest to sleep. It also helps to keep the lights down low in the evening, and no exercise right before bed.
--
Brenda,51, TBMF Parent to Parent Volunteer
Mom to A, 17, BP, Tourette's, OCD, ADHD: Eskalith CR, Lamictal, Cytomel, Allegra
E, 15 1/2, BP,AS: Seroquel, Eskalith CR, inositol, Buspar
B, 14 & H, 11
Married 18 years to DH, 50
FROM TBMF: Do not start, stop, or change medications or other treatments for yourself or your child based on what you read on this Website or elsewhere on the Internet. Information presented here should not replace the considered judgement of a doctor who knows you or your child.
My dd never has slept...EVER. I do what pilgrim suggested: lavender bubble bath, quiet time, etc. No T.V. or anything in her room...some nights some music. But really, the only thing that is working for her right now is trazadone. I was completely against it but after years of no sleep myself, I had to give in.
I did try laying with her, but she could talk ALL night and then get mad when I fell asleep. Melatonin never worked, but that's probably because she's not stable.
--
L Anxiety, Lexapro
Mom to:
T (16) Mood disorder (Depression, Anxiety, OCD, BP, SA, ADD?), Risperdal 1mg morning/night, Zoloft 150 mg., Abilify 5mg., Trazadone 100 mg.
Also has hypoplastic left heart syndrome (open heart surgery 3X), Lisinopril, Aspirin
10th grade-currently going to school online at home.
J (13)
J and C (10)
In our experience, we needed to view lack of sleep as a medical emergency. Sleep was needed no matter what big gun drugs might be necessary at the moment to stop it. We used Hyland's Insomnia formula, or Xanax, or Lorazepam (Ativan), or hydroxyzine, or Seroquel.... whatever tools the doctor had okayed. Once they are stable... they are OK... they won't need so much sleep vigilence unless they have a sleep disorder separate from everything else.
In the meantime, get the pdoc on board to give you the tools necessary to address this.
--Jeanie aka "Naomi"
ItsNotMental-Sleep is Critical
Older dd: formerly(?) teen-onset bipolar (morphed into ultradian cycling): "Recovered" after over 13 years - stable off psych meds almost two years. Now fine on just diet changes and higher thyroid levels (after healing - addressing gut issues/Candidal overgrowth while using EMPowerPlus and other supplements). She added EMpowerPlus back on just because she feels better on it - gets sick less often.
Younger dd: formerly(?) Childhood-onset schizoaffective, TS, OCD, anxiety, PTSD, migraines. After over 15 years, is now "recovered" for almost 5 years after treating endocrine issues, food sensitivities, gut issues, sleep issues, nutritional/mitochondrial needs.
Trazadone has worked wonders for my daughter's sleep. If only we can find success for the day.
I myself used trazadone for sleep, but I was so tired the next day. My daughter is also having sleep problems, it takes hours to get her to sleep and she wakes in the middle of the night and early in the morning. This cannot be good for a child, or anyone for that matter. Please let me know what works.
--
Jessica - BP2, Pristiq, Abilify, Lamictal, Xanax - Vegan diet
DD - Lilli ADHD w/ ODD (close to EOBP DX) (5) Abilify, Focalin XR
Delayed Development
Regular Kindergarten with IEP
Maryland
We have had good success for many years with low dose Seroquel. DS17 takes 25mg at night, DS16 takes 75mg.
--
Brenda,51, TBMF Parent to Parent Volunteer
Mom to A, 17 1/2, BP, Tourette's, OCD, ADHD: Eskalith CR, Lamictal, Cytomel, Allegra
E, 16, BP,AS: Seroquel, Eskalith CR, inositol, Buspar
B, 14 1/2 & H, 11 1/2
Married 18 years to DH, 51
FROM TBMF: Do not start, stop, or change medications or other treatments for yourself or your child based on what you read on this Website or elsewhere on the Internet. Information presented here should not replace the considered judgement of a doctor who knows you or your child.
P takes .10 mg of risperdone at bedtime, along with 25mg of seroquel & 5mg of melatonin. His Pdoc said that the melatonin will help him get to sleep & the others will help him sleep all day long. He said that was a key factor for our kids is sleep.
Sue--Mother of P- 11 yr old son bipolar mixed, lamictal 150mg, risperdone .5mg 2X's day, .10mg risperdone once with serqouel .25 mg at bed time. Risperdal .5 mg meltaways as needed as PRN.
Have tried stattera, adderall xr, concentra, clonidine, intuniv, risperdal, trilepta, vyvanse, lithiuml..sure I missed a few.
1.5 year old full of energy daughter
expecting child # 3 in July
married to supporting husband
Oregon
What's helped my son sleep most has been Clonidine. It's technically an antihypertensive medication but has a calming effect. He can not sleep without it, as we learned a few years ago when the docs tried to wean him off. I'd be careful with Vystaril (Hydroxizine) and Benadryl as they can make some children manic. That's how E reacted to them with the complete opposite effect that they were trying to get. Many people benefit from adding in Melatonin which is a natural supplement. The CAM forum knows more about that and what doses would be appropriate if that's something you want to consider. --
Seekingsunshine76 from MA
Email: seekingsunshine76@yahoo.com
Co-Mod Very Young 2 with Mmsun and Erica
Co-Mod Support 3 with Ruth, Carolyn and Cindy
Chat Mod
Mom to:
"Honeybunches" (9 y.o) DX: PDD-NOS, BP, SPD, ADHD, GAD, NLD, Receptive-Expressive Language Disorder, delayed but making steady progress. MEDS: Abilify 5 mg 2x day, Tenex 1 mg 3x day, Lithium 300 am/pm, Clonidine .2 mg, Cogentin .5 mg 2x day. SCHOOL: 3rd grade Substantially separate Classroom, IEP, Speech, PT, OT, Counseling, Social Skills group, 1:1 aid, safety plan, BIP; ESY services; In counseling and has a therapeutic mentor.
"Shnooks" 17 y.o stepson. Currently in BTR under DCF custody... DH & I got full sole custody in 2004. DX: BP, CD, ODD, PTSD, ADHD; CHINS in DCF custody; BTR Placement; probation until 18. Current meds: Loratidine, Claritin, Adderall, Zyprexa, Trileptal, Trazadone and Zoloft; WILL NOT BE COMING BACK HOME.
"Angel": age 15; No diagnoses; Signs of depression; substance abuse;
"Princess": age 12; No diagnoses but behavioral issues at school and has other concerning behaviors;
Blog: Wonders in the Night http://www.wondersinthenight2.blogspot.com which is about raising 2 boys with alphabet soup and being a Vegan.
"And when it rains on your parade, look up rather than down. Without the rain there would be no rainbow." Jerry Chin
"Sunshine is my quest". ~Winston Churchill
Clonidine was just added for my daughter for sleep. The problem I'm seeing with that is that she wakes up in the middle of the night and needs a second dose. This break in sleep isn't good for either of us. Are there any other meds that help with sleep for a young child? (melatonin does not work for my DD)
--
Jessica - BP2, Pristiq, Abilify, Lamictal, Xanax - Vegan diet
DD - Lilli ADHD w/ ODD (close to EOBP DX) (5) Abilify, Focalin XR
Delayed Development
Regular Kindergarten with IEP
Maryland
We use 25 mg of Benadryl sometimes, it is safe and dd thinks it helps and sometimes I think that's why it works! Our pdoc mentioned using atarax, it has a fairly quick onset, is non adictive and is sedating, it is actually for used for itchyness too
--
Shell 37, registered nurse. No issues
DH- no issues, trying to deal with DD diagnosis
DS 15- smart happy well adjusted Teenager
DS 12- happy normal kid, sensitive to his sisters outbursts
DD 9- Looks like Mood disorder NOS, chronic irritability- was on Abilify 2mg then Tofranil (that was a misteke and led to this rapid cycling! OOPS) Just starting Trileptal this week 150 mg after school
Atarax is hydroxyzine, an antihistamine often used for itching and hives. Because of it's sedative properties, it is also used as a mild sedative.
--
Brenda,51, TBMF Parent to Parent Volunteer
Mom to A, 17 1/2, BP, Tourette's, OCD, ADHD: Eskalith CR, Lamictal, Cytomel, Allegra
E, 16, BP,AS: Seroquel, Eskalith CR, inositol, Buspar
B, 14 1/2 & H, 11 1/2
Married 18 years to DH, 51
FROM TBMF: Do not start, stop, or change medications or other treatments for yourself or your child based on what you read on this Website or elsewhere on the Internet. Information presented here should not replace the considered judgement of a doctor who knows you or your child.
I know that even the strongest narcolepsy medication to correct sleep architecture works in 4 hour chunks and they must take the second dose in the middle of the night after 4 hours of sleep. I will also say what finally helped my younger daughter, but this was UNDER THE SUPERVISION of an MD specializing in Integrative medicine. He replaced her Seroquel with a specific amount of Tryptophan. She also used the melatonin AND a product called "Nutra-Sleep."
We also had to address her awake time, and not just her sleep time. Here is a blog entry full of info on this topic: Sleep: Timing of Melatonin, Light, Dark, and Use of Other Aids
--
Jeanie aka "Naomi"
It's Not Mental-Facebook
Older dd: formerly(?) teen-onset bipolar (morphed into ultradian cycling): "Recovered" after over 13 years - stable off psych meds almost two years. Now fine on just diet changes and higher thyroid levels (after healing - addressing gut issues/Candidal overgrowth while using EMPowerPlus and other supplements). She added a little EMpowerPlus back on as a multivitamin simply because she feels better on it - gets sick less often.
Younger dd: formerly(?) Childhood-onset schizoaffective, TS, OCD, anxiety, PTSD, migraines. After over 15 years, is now "recovered" for 5 years after treating endocrine issues, food sensitivities, gut issues, sleep issues, nutritional/mitochondrial needs.