End of tether reached - cannot stop crying - PLEASE HELP ME !!!

[Norah]

Sorry this might be a bit of a long rant - but i am sitting here sobbing huge great sobs with tears rolling down my face - I just cannot cope anymore. I feel like packing a bag and running away !

My dd (only child) is 5.5 - and generally a really sweet thoughtful little girl. But for the last 6 or so weeks she has been a nighmare ! Nothing significant that I am aware of happened then !

First of all her sleep has become really bad - she is waking up every night about 3 hours after she goes to bed. Some nights I am sure this is due to bad dreams and I think she has maybe even done a bit of sleep-walking - she gets out of bed and wanders around whimpering - but those nights she will be put back to bed and go back to sleep relatively calmly. Other nights she is like a mad child - she wakes up crying - always for Daddy and says she wants another cuddle and kiss - but even after she gets them she carries on ranting - she seems fully awake these nights - and then she will shout and scream for well over an hour. Nothing calms her down - she completely loses it. Last night this went on from 11.30 to 1.30 - God only knows what the neighbours must have thought !

Anyway - we've tried start charts, talking to her, even Medised - to no avail. I am out of my depth here - have no idea what to do !

I am so bloody tired now - I've had to phone in sick today as I can't stop crying !

I think I wil make an appointment with he GP - but am not sure that will help really.

The second thing is that her behaviour at home has really deteriorated. She is really good at school and is making great progress - but at home she is so challenging. We have been trying to do the 1-2-3 Magic method, but she just flies into a rage and refuses to go to her bedroom. I have no idea what to do now !

Can anyone suggest anything PLEASE ??

I don't know how, but somehow I posted on the wrong thread earlier oops

Ahhh - I did wonder ! But you are most welcome !

Quick suggestion, Once you have the all clear from your GP, try and contact the school nurse who covers your area. Ours is just wonderful and will come to see you in your home, and your little one at school. Found ours really helpful with ideas and she helped us to liaise with teacher too.
Could be something really simple happening at school , like another girl not letting her join in etc, that could be at the root of all this. And the tiredness circle perpetuates.
Just a thought .

Norah, I was CONVINCED my ds wasn't having night terrors but actually, I think he was and still does occasionally, he appears lucid and awake but truly isn't and doesn't remember them in the morning. I'll see if I can find the thread, I got some good advice. Sympathy, it's tough. We're over the worst I think although he does still wake sometimes.

Oh btw we cut out the (organic, but still!) hot chocolate before bed too. No idea whether it made a difference really, can't claim we are sure about cause and effect but might it be worth thinking about cuttnig sugar late in the day for your dd too?

\link{http://www.mumsnet.com/Talk?topicid=8&threadid=139335#2937273\read the night terror links, ignore my anquish!}

My DS is 7. In september last year he became unbearable, we had moved hous in january and he just didnt take to his room so i took, he was terrified of it, dont know why, genuinely didnt want to be in there - to the point of crying.

i put a camp bed in our room. Last week he went back into his room for the first time. It was very tough but im glad i gave him that time with us. He just made his own choice.
He was having nightmares and would not understand where he was, who we were and would shout at us. then he seemed to wake up and get v upset. All the time he was in our room this never happened. Its now the second week of him being in his own room , fingers x he hasnt woken and he doesnt mind going to sleep in there

Thank you all so much - WWW I have printed your other thread for dh to read tonight ! Thanks

The GP was sympathetic - basically said he thought it probably is night terrors - use Medised to calm her down and basically what everyone has suggested here.

Last night I semi-woke her and she did not have a proper terror last night - so that was good ! She did however get up at laest 5 times and try to get in with us - so she was escorted back calmly each time - and stayed eventually. Must up dose of medised tonight !

Took dh to docs with me as he believes it is naughtiness - not a problem - so hopefully he will let up on the shouting at her !

Thanks again !

Kayzed - I have ordered the book - Thanks !

Norah, I wondered if it could be something she'd read or been told about which frightened her. I remember at 5 or 6 getting into complete states for weeks over either a scary book, or something a teacher said which worried me, or some playground rumour. It's just a thought but it might be worth asking her if she is scared of something, if it is a bad dream, to try and pinpoint it so you know what you're dealing with. Of course it could be diet, teeth etc but just to suggest something else..