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Original poster

Sleep crisis

45 replies

theheadgirl · 14/08/2008 09:04

I'm feeling very despondent this morning due to the latest turn of events in DD3's sleep pattern. Would really love it if anyone has any advice or similar experiences to pass on...
Just some background, DD3 is 7, she has Downs and more pertinently also a dual diagnosis of ASD. She has no speech, signs a bit and is very hyposensitive in general - she loves rough play, being turned upside down, loud music, being massaged etc.

Recently her sleep pattern became a problem, in that she just couldn't settle herself. She would need me to hold her in my lap to calm her before she drifted off. We saw the consultant who gave melatonin last month and I've seen a good response to 3mg.

However - the last 3 days she's been very "hyper" in her behaviour. Lots of rocking, loud vocalising, throwing stuff about. She doesn't seem distressed, and is quite happy and smiley in her self. But when we get to bedtime she just cannot calm down. Tuesday night she didn't settle til 4.30 am, I had to hold her to calm her. I let her sleep til 10 am (so had 5 and 1/2 hours) Last night no sleep AT ALL. I had the odd hour here and there when I felt I just had to go back to my own room. But she just spent the night rocking, or looking out of the window or throwing her toys about, mostly shouting all the time. Melatonin (and a repeat dose) seemed not to touch her at all. I'm worried is this lack of sleep going to harm her in some way. I'm worried DD1 and DD2 will suffer cos of the disruption and my lack of energy. To be honest I just feel incoherent with tiredness and worry, and feel weepy about it all. So sorry if none of this reads well.

But any advice or comments will be pounced upon gratefully

OP posts:
jimjamshaslefttheyurt · 14/08/2008 10:42

Full moon coming up.

Bet she calms down once its happened.

jimjamshaslefttheyurt · 14/08/2008 10:43

IME - if manic ds1 is manic in the days leading up to the full moon and is fine once it happens and starts to wane.

So hopefully come Saturday she'll be back to normal.

Original poster
theheadgirl · 14/08/2008 12:09

Jimjams - seriously??? Should I keep a diary? I'm so tired and disorientated I can't tell if someone is joking or not.....
Tell me the earth is flat and I'll believe you at the moment.

OP posts:
jimjamshaslefttheyurt · 14/08/2008 12:13

Utterly serious.

DS1 sleeps pretty well at the moment. If he wakes up/goes hyper/bounces around at 3am it is (95% of the time) in the week before the full moon.

My friend said her dd (ASD) has been up all night as well- I said it was full moon and she said 'oh of course'.

See how she goes after Saturday. Fingers crossed for you!

Seuss · 14/08/2008 12:15

jimjams - is that true as (poss about to make a tit of myself) my ds1 has been manic this week?!?

headgirl - sorry to hear this, do you have weighted blankets and stuff? (stuff - I'm good with the technical terms!)

Seuss · 14/08/2008 12:17

DH and I usually alternate lie-ins (8am) at the weekend - think I'll baggsy Sunday!

Seuss · 14/08/2008 12:18

headgirl - any way you can grab some sleep in the day?

jimjamshaslefttheyurt · 14/08/2008 12:18

Absolutely true. In the last 9 years (well the 7 or so since his regression) if ds1 wakes and goes into a 3 hours sleep routine it is (95% of the time) at full moon. The other 5% of the time it is at new moon!

He's utterly manic when he's like that. No attention, flit flit flitting. etc etc.

Always fine as soon as the full moon has passed.

Original poster
theheadgirl · 14/08/2008 12:19

Well bugger me. That never occurred to me. And when I worked as a nurse advisor for NHS direct it was certainly true that there were more calls from people with mental health probs when there was a full moon, we all noticed it.
I'm trying a 6mg dose of melatonin tonight anyway, have just been on the phone to the consultant.
Thanks jim jams. There may be light at the end of the tunnel. If I survive til saturday...

OP posts:
Seuss · 14/08/2008 12:19

that's what ds1 has been like - leaping around the furniture, screaming...even ds2 has been copying.

Seuss · 14/08/2008 12:20

fascinating! hope you can keep going till Saturday headgirl!

Original poster
theheadgirl · 14/08/2008 12:22

Seuss, on my tod this week, my sister is away on hols, my exH has put up heroically with an ear bashing from me on the phone this am, and is coming round first thing saturday. He isn't local to me. Considering bribing DD1 (nearly 13) to sit with DD3, whilst I go up to bed for an hour. Think she will be bought by a £5 to spend in clare's accessories...

OP posts:
Seuss · 14/08/2008 12:25

I would! Worth every penny! Especially if this is going to carry on until Saturday!

staryeyed · 14/08/2008 17:39

Ooo my Ds as well. I thought it was the beginning of the end (sleep wise) and now I have hope

LeonieD · 14/08/2008 19:51

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bubble78 · 14/08/2008 20:23

wow that explain why my ds asd has not been sleeping this week roll on saturday lol
also can someone tell me more about these wieghted blankets???
thanks

jimjamshaslefttheyurt · 14/08/2008 20:27

weighted blankets can calm some children. They're pricey though- about £100 for a full size child's one. Some OT departments will lend theirs out to try.

bubble78 · 14/08/2008 20:38

thanks jim jams i will look into them

LeonieD · 14/08/2008 21:05

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LeonieD · 14/08/2008 21:07

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Original poster
theheadgirl · 14/08/2008 21:18

Just to report back ladies - my girl (who is possibly ruled by the moon) is currently snoring. Keep your fingers crossed for us that it lasts til 7 am

OP posts:
amber32002 · 15/08/2008 07:37

One more thought - it makes a HUGE difference to hubby and me what sort of bed linen we have. Best investment I made was to raid the sales for the really really good quality high-thread-count cotton stuff that feels very smooth. Otherwise the very slight scratchiness most duvet covers get after a few washes is like sleeping in sandpaper for us.

Seuss · 15/08/2008 08:48

Thanks for pointing out the sheet issue amber. I hadn't thought of that - although my ds doesn't sleep to badly most of the time (tempting fate?) Do you think those horrid garish kids duvet covers would make any difference too?

jimjamshaslefttheyurt · 15/08/2008 19:14

So how is everyone today?

DS1 has gone insane. He is awful. A true lunatic in the original sense of the word...... or should that be lunar-tic.

staryeyed · 15/08/2008 19:31

My ds is ok but very moody and down.