Sleep problems

[snmum]

We are having real problems with dd atm. I have just took it on dh as he jumps out of bed at the slightest noise and goes up to see if she is okay (the kids sleep in the attic) I have been telling him for ages that if he carries on like this she will just want him there, but he carried on. Now he works further away again, he is too knackered to get up as much so evidentally it is me who has to calm her down. Before we moved she was 'mainly' sleeping through as i got her into a better sleeping pattern.

Now she is waking up about 5 times a night. last night she hardly slept AT ALL!!! It is killing me

I was thinking of taking her to the GP's as I have heard some of you mention they can prescribe short-term drugs to get her back into a good sleeping pattern, but cant remember what they are? Can anyone advise?

Just read this back and it sound like a rant about my dh and me making myself out to be superior, that is not how it is ! although i am mad with him all the same

snmum, oh Blimey, have I been here! My dd sleeps without waking up at all about twice a month. Most nights she wakes briefly several times. Around one to two nights a week (and often for several consecutive nights) she wakes at 1 and does not go back to sleep until 6. I've tried melatonin but not regularly (which I think I may) but my dd's problem isn't falling asleep, it's going back to sleep when she wakes up. We go through her night time routine again at 1 to try and entice her back. She's rarely in grumpy mood- more often than not she is wide awake with a glint in her eye! I don't know of any other drugs but other mums may? We did think it may be dd's diet- she's on a casein/gluten free diet but sometimes concentrated juice (that gets in to stuff) can set her off. But to be honest, I really don't know.
ps Blimey, don't worry about dh rant. My dh had a tantrum yesterday because he missed his train as he helped me with the kids and gave dd her breakfast (she can't feed herself yet). I was fuming . He said he would have to know 'in advance' if he had to help with the kids!

MELATONIN..... could be worth a try.....BUT......(unless it's changed) a GP CANNOT prescribe it. Has to be a 'specialist'...like a PAED or Consultant. (this is because it is an UNLISCENCED medication and is supplied on a 'Named Patient' basis.

For us it has been a MIRACLE....but as both your kids have the difficulty REMAINING asleep....and settling back once awake...it MAY not be any good

Our paed explained that it is best (and MAY only work) for people who find it difficult to get to sleep. This is because naturally we produce MELATONIN as it begins to get dark...hence we start winding down,yawning and eyelids feeling heavy etc....now in a 'Neurologically impaired' person there can be a reduced/irregular release of this hormone...so they simply don't feel tired.

Sooooooooo.....the melatonin supplied on prescription is a artificial'chemical' replica of the natural hormone..... and honestly IF it's going to work it will affect the child within 30-60 mins.

In my home the 2 lads i give it to both have the 'ideal' set of sympton=ms...ie they CANNOT get to sleep.....so i believe that is why it works so well.

However i hope on here ther is someone who will disagree with me and say that it also helps people who keep waking up. (i think DAVROS may help on this issue?)

I totally feel for you as sleep deprivation is torture....and as you've said effects your relationships and many other things.

MELATONIN for me was a blessing as i feel happier knowing it's NOT a tranquiliser or sedative....however IF melatonin hadn't worked....and having had at that point 9 years of HELL at nightime....i have to say i would have tried anything to help. So don't feel guilty if you have to try stronger drugs.... they would be started on a minimal dose and the child may be happier the following day having had uninterupted sleep...i say that because one of the worst things about these kinds of issues is that WE end up feeling GUILTY because we feel we are only giving these medications TO OUR CHILD so that WE GET SOME SLEEP....what you MUST remember is that THE CHILD MAY BENEFIT TOO!

Similarily my eldest is on a drug like RITALIN (for his ADHD).....now the way i look at it is YES him being on it makes LIFE EASIER for all that he meets....however HE gets a chance whilst 'under its influence' to be able to concentrate/listen/learn and relax.....all things that he CANNOT do without it.

Sorry this is long....but i am known for rambling like this! I talk like this too!!!

thanks jakbrown and mrsf (and no you werent rambling, i am the same in real life, dont worry!)

She is just so twitchy at night. I think she has spasms in her legs as she cries out and cant stop her legs from moving as I say i think she gets used to the company and wants someone with her all the time.

My ds does actually sleep alot better but as their bedrooms are next door to one another they do wake each other up regular. Vicious circle isnt it. Strangely I Dont feel guilty about having drugs for her as i think lack of sleep does affect her development too, and your are right mrsf it DOES affect your relationships - IT IS BLOODY HARD WORK!

I think i will go to the GP even if he tells me to bugger off...who's rambling now?

There is nothing worse than lack of sleep.
Ds2 wakes up an average 8 times a night appearing to be in pain and distress.We have tried sedatives which unfortunatly didn't work.We have now been prescribed Melatonin which seems to be putting him in a deeper sleep but he is still waking up as often .Ds2 also moves around all the time in his sleep I have always suspected that he is not comfy.
If I was you i would try your gp ours was useless but his peadatrician has been great.

fio, yes do ask for drugs - my dd with DS is currently on phenergan as her sleep had got so out of hand - up 5+ times a night and waking the other children too with shouting/gate rattling and it's working a treat. you can get it over the counter if your GP won't help. The paed said we might try melatonin if it's no better after a couple of months on phenergan. You really need to sort this out for everyone's sake - I can't believe how much more positive and friendly I became to dd once she started sleeping better

Blimey snmum - didn't realise you hadn't had ANY sleep sorry, probably wasn't listening properly .

dh and i often used to have fights when dd was little as when she cried he would go in to her, pick her up, walk her around in the bright lights etc, generally talk very loudly etc. Know its not quite the same but I know where you are coming from.

If you can get a drug that helps then use it, sounds like although it is partly behavioural, she might also need something to help her little muscles relax .

the spasms may well 'relax' with the deep sleep that melatonin seems to induce....i noticed with leigh that pre-melatonin he would be as stiff as a board when asleep and often i'd check him and he would be on his tummy and his head would be bent back towards his back and his legs bent at the knees so that his feet nearly touched his bum....so he looked like if he were on the floor he'd rock ...he was so rigid. if i tried to straighten his legs he would resist.....since melatonin he sleeps in a normal position.....all snuggled up!

it took me along time to get used to not seeing him with his feet stuck up in the air!!!!

I think you should try melatonin before trying any drugs. There's a lot of practice and experience in using it with SN children and there doesn't seem to be a down side.

right i will go to the GP's armed with my information, I was thinking melatonin actually, just couldnt remember the name of it. thanks ladies :0

and HITC I am SURE you were listening properly, i gabbled on that much i felt a bit embarassed when i got home hope you dont think i am a complete loon