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SN children

Here are some suggested organisations that offer expert advice on special needs.

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Original poster

could melatonin help my ds?

13 replies

MojoLost · 28/12/2009 20:01

DS is almost 5 years old and has a brain injury. He has difficulties with concentration and attention and is always moving, touching, turning lights on and off, talking,etc.

The most difficult problem I have with him is his behaviour, he periodically he gets out of control angry raging fits and nothing conforts him. I have noticed that they are linked to being tired because he wakes up so darn early and will not settle back. I have to take him for a long drive in the car for him to sleep, and if I do this his mood improves dramatically.

He has absolutely no problem falling asleep, but if I could only make him sleep for longer I think our lives would be transformed.

Could melatonin help us with this? I am so tired of this, I dream of the day I can wake up at a normal hour and he will not feel so angry

OP posts:

Marne · 28/12/2009 20:09

I think Meliatonin is used to help get to sleep rather than keep them asleep.

Dd2 takes hours to get to sleep and rarely stays asleep, we are seeing her pead tomorrow (after a long wait) to hopefully get Meloatonin to help her get to sleep.

Talk to his pead and see what they suggest, there maybe something you can give him to help him sleep.

5ringinginthenewyear · 28/12/2009 20:12

DS2 is on a form of melatonin called circadin, which is a slow release form, helps keep him asleep, as like your DS doesn't have a problem going to sleep.

Marne, it would help your DD2 as well, ask for it tomorrow!

Only problem is that it is in tablet form, the only way you can take it, and took us a while to be able to get ds2 to take the whole thing without chewing it.

SantaWears2SnowShoes · 28/12/2009 20:41

we use it for dd, she has cp and is on some meds that gives her insomnia, but it only gets her to sleep.

Original poster

MojoLost · 29/12/2009 06:35

will make a note of circadin, thank you, however I don't see ds taking a tablet without chewing it. Is there anything else in liquid form?

Marne, I have spoken to pead who sent him a herbal type medicine that did nothing, i spoke to his neurologist who sent him some medication that didn't work either, he also had an EEG done which didn't show any reason for the disturbance. And none of them have any nore answers for me. I see this situation continiuing for ever.

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Marne · 29/12/2009 12:42

We managed to get it for both dd's today , we have got it in capsual form so i can break them open and put them in their drinks. I can't wait to try it out, roll on tonight.

denny28 · 29/12/2009 16:49

mine has had melatonin now for 2 years,he has autism and before he had it he was awake all night and very moody and naughty and aggressive,since the melatonin he sleeps well most nights,he is a lot calmer on the nights that he is awake now because he gets more sleep,i just split the capsuals into a small drink of juice

fatzak · 29/12/2009 17:44

Mojo - my DS sounds very much like yours. What time does he wake up? DS has epilepsy so often has a disturbed sleep because of seizures, but no matter what has happened in the night, he is awake by 5.45. He is so shattered most of the time but just will not go back to sleep. Makes no difference what time we put him to bed and even on holiday when he is up until 10ish he still wakes up by 7.00 (and that includes the hour time difference)

Our neuro won't even consider anything until we have got the seizures under control. I did once in desperation think about buying some online but realised that was a very daft thing to do

Original poster

MojoLost · 29/12/2009 18:30

hi fatzak, DS wakes up anytime between 4:30 and 5;30 NEVER after that. If I knew he didn't need more sleep then I would try to cope, but he obviously needs at least 1.5 hours more. Christmas was a nightmare, I let him go to sleep at 10pm instead of 7:30 as usual, he woke up at 5am and was in such a mood the following day that I thought I was going to lose my mind.

It doesn't matter at what time he goes to bed he still wakes up early. He doesn't have any seizures, the eeg didn't show anything.

Marne, good luck with it!!! let us know how it goes.

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Original poster

MojoLost · 03/01/2010 05:49

hello all, are you around?
I have had enough of his anger and mood. DH and I have decided to give the melatonin a try. But they don't sell it in pharmacies and my neurologist said that the only way to get it is to order it from the us.

So if it's so helpful why on earth is it not available in europe?

Could anyone please recommend a website to order it from? I have googled and there appear to be plenty. Would love to know what you recommend.

Thank you

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Original poster

MojoLost · 04/01/2010 19:23

bumping, just in case.... someone can recommend a site,

OP posts:

BradfordMum · 05/01/2010 10:16

Mojo - I am sorry to butt in, but I have some Melatonin which I bought in USA in August after a friend recommended it to help with jet lag on the way home.

I'm happy to send you some, if you thought it would help - NOT that I'm suggesting you use it willy nilly, but it's freely available to buy in the US.

Sally x

Original poster

MojoLost · 05/01/2010 17:25

oh thank you Sally, that is so kind of you!!
I am not in the UK so don't worry about posting it.
I'll just try and browse a bit more to decide which site to use. Thank you anyway! Maybe you can use it for your next trip to the USA

OP posts:

BradfordMum · 05/01/2010 18:16

You're very welcome.
Though Ive just read on another thread about a syringe, and my Melatonin is in tablet form!
Silly me!

Sally.

Ps, the offer is open to anyone who thinks it may help x

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