Sleep issues in a child with ADHD

[Foxy800]

DD is 6, nearly 7 and was diagnosed with ADHD in November, she is trialling mediknet, 10mg, and has recently had a review with her paed who doesnt want to see her again for 4 months.

However we have had sleep issues since she was 2, they get better then get worse, she goes to sleep fine but wakes a lot in the night, friday night she was up 9 times in the night, I get her go to the toilet then straight back to bed. We have been known to be up to 11 times a night.

I spoke to the gp about this early last year and he prescribed Kidnap, but as the pead explained this is quick release and helped her go to sleep but that wasnt the issue.

I would be very grateful for any advice, it is jsut her and I at home so very rarely get a break from it all (which of course is fine as she is my dd and I love her to pieces), its just extremely tiring.

Any advice would be gratefully received, paed has said we can look at this once meds for ADHD are sorted but not sure if I can go another 4 months like this.

[mrslaughan]

I will start by saying, I don't know alot about ADHD, and even less about the relevant medication.....but I do know there is an overlap with sensory issues, which DS has (along with dyspraxia, and is sensory seeking, so people thought he had ADHD). He also had sleep issues, once we started getting his sensory issues modulated his sleep issues completely resolved themselves. Have you ever investigated Sensory issues?

[Foxy800]

No I havent as paed is just looking at ADHD, and has said that sleep issues are common in children with ADHD. She as said we can look into solutions but if she isnt being seen again for 4 months I am not sure when this will be.

How do I go about investigating sensory issues/

And thank you for the reply.x

[wasuup3000]

Ask the paed to prescribe melatonin and have a google of weighted blankets. We have the same issue but get a bit of rest from it all from 8pm until about midnight with the melatonin. The blanket doesn't work for our son because he doesnt like being covered up even on cold nights in winter but it might work for you.

[sickofsocalledexperts]

A pal of mine has had st ratters prescribed: it makes her boy sleep when given at night, then gives the same calming effect as Ritalin during the next school day

[sickofsocalledexperts]

Strattera

[Foxy800]

Thank you for the replies. Will look into the weighted blankets and the strattera. The melatonin is the main ingredient in the kidnap she was on. It is hard to find anything that works as it isnt getting her to go to sleep it is the problem of her continually waking in the night that is the problem.

Thank you again for the replies.

[wasuup3000]

The paed may know of something that is more slow release and lasts longer - do ring her secretary and ask if she will ask the paed for you?

[Foxy800]

Thank you wasuup3000. I know she said we will discuss it at a later date but we are both exhausted!! Will give her a call tomorrow.

[mrslaughan]

can you get a slow release melatonin? I have no idea if you can get it here, but I used to buy it in the states for jet lag - for me....

[Foxy800]

I dont think you can get a slow release one here as the one she was prescribed was quick release and was the onlyo melatonin the gp could prescribe. Thanks for the suggestion though.x

[wasuup3000]

I think Triggles posted about it?

[mrslaughan]

we just got a weighted blanket from sensory direct - really good service, I thought reasonably priced, and seems good quality.

[Foxy800]

Am going to look into the weighted blankets as anything is worth a try. Obviously i want to sort this as we are both exhausted but am particularly worried as she goes to middle school in September and dont want the interrupted sleep to affect her learning. She is coping at school at the moment but obviously want this to continue.

[wasuup3000]

Here you go Foxy
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/special_needs/1681591-ADHD-Help-and-Advice-Needed

[Foxy800]

Thank you wasuup3000, will take a look.xx

[Foxy800]

Have had a look and will definately get onto her paed tomorrow.x

[Mckenngp1]

Hi my dd takes melatonin, brand name circadin. We give her 2 crushed (means she gets instant hit to help her get off to sleep initially) and 1 whole (longer acting to last through the night). Only a paediatrician can prescribe it in our area. But agree, sensory issues can overlap conditions so worthwhile investigating those. If he likes strong hugs, deep pressure and finds it calming then a weighted blanket may help. My dd was initially diagnosed as ADHD, they then changed her diagnosis to asd as things began to surface as she got older...

[Foxy800]

Thank you for the reply, will definately get in touch with her paed and also look into the weighted blankets.

Thank you everyone.

[Trigglesx]

Sorry, late to the thread here, but yes, our DS2 (6yo) takes both liquid melatonin as well as a slow release capsule (which is opened and sprinkled over food). It is literally the only way that we can get him to sleep at night. The liquid gets him to sleep, the capsule/powder helps him sleep better throughout the night. He still wakes up during the night, but that's because while we could request a higher dosage, we're trying to encourage good "back to sleep" habits for him. It was prescribed by his paed, and she has told us that he can easily go up some in dosage when/if we need to. It definitely has made a difference. (we're in the UK btw)

[Trigglesx]

also if it helps, we were told there are two slow release melatonins available - one is a tablet that cannot be crushed, and one is a capsule that can be opened and sprinkled on food (just don't overmix it).

[Foxy800]

THank you for the replies, I have left a message with her pead's secretary and am just waiting for a call back but this could take a few days.Will see what she says.

Its a hard one as i dont necessarily want her on more meds but something needs to give with the sleeping as I am noticing it is affecting her behaviour more and more.

Just going to have to sit tight and see what the paed says.

[Foxy800]

Her pead rang back tonight and we are going to try her on modified release melatonin. Will see how that will go.

Thanks for the replies and suggestions.

[wasuup3000]

Brilliant News Foxy - fingers crossed you get a bit of kip!

[Foxy800]

Thank you. Just need to wait for the prescription to arrive then we can see how we go.

[BallyGoBackwards]

Bio Melatonin has been great for my DS (11) Previously he always woke during the night and came to our bed. Bad habit that we couldnt really break. Anyway he started taking it last June and hasnt come to our bed since and sleeps the whole night through.