Phenergans - should I give this to my DS tonight?

[smugtandemfeeder]

Doctor has prescribed my 2.6yo DS Phenergans. He hasn't slept well since birth and we are shattered. I don't really like the idea of sedating him. Am I being silly? Does anyone have any experience of this? Is DS likely to be spaced out the next day? MIL used to give this to DH every night and I have always slated her for it, so now I feel awful even thinking of using it.

DS is asleep in bed. Is there any point giving it to him when he wakes during the night?

Phenergan is an antihistimine. It is very sedating and if I ever take it I am knocked for six the next day!. I only ever take a quarter of a tablet when I am desperate as I dont sleep well usually. Its downside is it can worsen epilepsy and also cause drowsiness/dizziness the following day. It has been used for many years though, and can be used in the short term to establish a sleep routine. If I was you I would start on a quarter of the dose at night and increase to the full amount as necessary. If you give it during the night the effects will probably still be there the following day. I would give before bed. It can cause dry mouth, nightmares etc. so give yourselves a week or so, and if you are not happy then stop it. After so many sleepless nights most people would try anything!

Thank you, I think I'll give it a miss tonight then. Hopefully psych will give us melatonin to.try in a few weeks. Will think about giving a very low dose of phen tomorrow.

Ds had it once and it had the opposite effect he was climbing the walls for more than 24 hours.

Thanks Leonie, DS has woken twice tonight already. Tried asking him what is wrong and if he is having bad dreams and he says 'yes, hurting me' but who really knows when a two year old is talking crap or telling the truth. Oh crikey now the baby has woken up!

I know the melatonin may have bad side effects too but I'm hopeful. Will speak to DH and see what he thinks about trying the phenergans.

It's all so hit and miss isn't it....

I had a similar experience to asdx2.. Dd1 was prescribed phenergan when she was about 3 to try to establish a better sleep pattern, It didn't work for us because it knocked her out cold very quickly but she only slept for about 3 hours and then went loopy.

Every child is different though and lots of people have used it for many years Dd1 is 22 now.

My DS (then 4) was prescribed it after he had vertigo so every time he laid down the room was spinning. TBH it was brilliant it "broke" the waking pattern, we used it for about 2 weeks and I would use it again if needed.

The problem with melatonin is the syrup is given for small kids and is brilliant for getting them off to sleep if this is their problem, but it doesnt keep them there, they still wake. The slow release melatonin comes in capsule form and no way will a toddler swallow them! some people open the capsules and put the little 'beads' in yoghurt and finds that usesful, not quite as prescribed but a possibility for the constant waking syndrome. Its all a bit trial an error with sleeping, but constant waking is a learned behaviour most times and with a SN toddler its difficult to consider controlled crying as a solution. I personally dont consider it a solution with NT children, but thats just my personal POV

PS. DGS has been on a small dose of melatonin for ages, it helps him nod of but he still frequently wakes in the night, and DD is a bit about whether he needs it for dropping off as he's out like a light for his afternoon nap. She also has been given phenergan and is not sure about giving it