DS age 10, sleep issues, going insane, HELP!

[dogsdieinhotcars]

My DS keeps waking (but not sure he is truly awake) after being asleep about hour. He instantly say "I can't get to sleep". He then cries, very loud and this goes on forever. He then resorts to crying out so every room can hear " but mum, I can't sleep" and very screamy with it. It is like a demon got him. I know this is not his normal persona so it's like he's not really doing it on purpose. It is very disruptive to everyone. DH and I are knackered.
A bit more info on DS. He has had night terrors for years. He is a very smart, engaging and lovable kid. Doesn't suffer fools and seldom cries without good reason. He loves reading in bed and at one point we thought it was the reading material (Hunger Games) so we stopped him reading that in bed. This worked, we thought, for 4 nights. But it never carried on. It's all very hard work. And actually I'm now getting worried as I don't know what to do to help him. Any advice?

[stilllovingmysleep]

He's 10 years old? You need to make an agreement with him / after having a discussion. Eg a reward system--15 nights not crying out you earn so and so etc. Or even say 'the new rule is you earn your screen time (or whatever) for not shouting at night.

However: it's concerning why he's crying out, have you discussed with him?

[Startingover2016]

Dd same age used to have night terrors and then became a really unsettled sleeper. She would have a huge meltdown at bedtime. Now she is prescribed melatonin which she takes two hours before bedtime and we couldn't be without it now.

I can't work out what's happening with your son but I would take him to the GP ASAP. The obvious is to make sure he is tired out and not going to bed too early but it is probably not as simple as that.

[dogsdieinhotcars]

He says he doesn't mean to do it and can't help it. I'm actually believing him. I could try rewards but not sure he really knows what he's up to.
I was thinking of going to GP. What age is your DD Startingover2016? Your story sounds similar.

[stilllovingmysleep]

Dogsdie do you think it's night terrors then? Does he cry out in his sleep? If so you'll have to deal with it very differently than if he's crying out because of anxiety etc

[dogsdieinhotcars]

I asked him before he went to school does he remember and he says sort of, half and half was his answer. His night terrors he never remembers. He's a bit of a sleepwalker too so we still have safety gate on the stairs. He's like Jeckle n Hyde, day vs night! I'm so bloody tired! He's hard to wake now in the mornings because of it all. He's a 9 hr sleeper when it's good. It may seem late to some but 22:00 to 07:00 is his perfect sleep. He naturally wakes after 9 hrs when all this nonsense isn't happening. It's been weeks now.

[stilllovingmysleep]

If he's sleep walking that fits with night terrors too. Those 2 things usually go together. The most important thing usually is a completely predictable routine and a much earlier bedtime. Would you consider that OP?

[kelda]

You should take him to the doctors. Say everything that you've said here, that he is difficult to wake. Maybe film him when it's happening?

[dogsdieinhotcars]

Hi. Thanks for your ideas. I've tried the strict routine stuff, and to be honest his routine after school is pretty standard really. We eat at regular times, around the table together. 6pm. We have a 15 yr old son too. His evening\night routine seems to be getting later (he is nearly 16!). But DS 2 sleeps for first hr or so, so don't think he's disturbing him, though our bedroom doors are all close on a small landing. It's all irrational! We have talked and I think he has subconsciously programmed himself to be bothered about not being able to sleep. I've done this myself. He is very happy and swears nothing is worrying him, but the waking now worries him. Vicious circle.

[KimmySchmidtsSmile]

Bump!!

9pm wind down for 10pm?
Bath with lavendar bubble bath (is that too girly?)
No electrics, minimum if reading on a kindle, use blue shade
Black out curtains
Cup of horlicks or ovaltine
Same routine very night
Hypnotape
GP referral to sleep clinic