What is the best type of sleep medication for a child with ADHD.?

Question

The problem is my son is so hyped up by the end of the day that he has a hard time falling asleep. I have tried putting him on a regular schedule but it does not seem to work. Any info you all can provide will be a big help.

Ok first of all, he is not on any medication. ME and his doc decided that we would not dope him up just because the school can't handle him. He is not taking any medication because I say so. Next, where do you all get off writing to me like that. If any of you are perfect than by all means start throughing the stones. In any case he is 7 years old he has a routine that I follow to the letter and he still does not get any sleep. I walk him to school every day there and back. He loves to play and does that a lot. he plays outside on his bike alot too. Here is the deal, all I wanted was a safe way for my son to get more sleep without turning him into a zombie. Know what you get when you assume something, you make an *** out of you and sume.

Answer 1

He's hyped up because he's on speed (amphetamines.) And now you want to give him more drugs to counter-act the speed?
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Answer 2

Are you treating it with amphetamines? If so, one of the side effects is difficulty sleeping because it's a stimulant. Better reduce that rather than pump more drugs in. You can try timing the doses so that it's effective during the day. With my kid, I think he had a tablet at 8am and one at 1pm and that worked out OK. However, discuss the options with your doctor before doing anything.

If you are not already on medication, or you definitely need something else, then the next step to try is getting into a routine with the temporary aid of a sedative. There are sedatives such as antihistamines and others--your doctor or pharmacist should be able to give the best advice on the best one to try. Here's some tips:

* Give the sedative at a set time every day.

* Then follow exactly the same routine, e.g., dinner, TV, bath, book, whatever.

* Make sure the whole household has a subdued, quiet atmoshpere when approaching bedtime.

* Avoid activities which engage the brain such as video games, or rough play before going to sleep.

After doing this for a couple of weeks, you can start weening them off the sedative, gradually reducing the dose and frequency. Hopefully, they will have gotten used to the routine (at least that's the plan).

Answer 3

NONE WHATSOEVER! Is your child on Ritalin? If so, read TALKING BACK TO RITALIN by Peter Breggin. Ritalin can do the opposite to what it is prescribed for.

If your little one is not medicated, then be very thankful and still read the abovementioned book.

One of the things that I would first of all be considering is his diet, which you've probably already looked at. Is he eating a health building diet, or is it based on mainly white flour and white sugar products with little fresh fruit, vegetables, lean meats, fish, nuts and seeds with dairy products as well? Anything packeted, canned or bottled is inferior when it comes to trying to build health in a child. Limit or delete from his diet completely things like flavoured and sweetened milks, sodas, candy, sweets, icecreams, fried foods, takeout, etc.

Try to find an Anthroposophical doctor to take him to - they treat children using Homoeopathy etc, which has none of the tragic side effects that are common in the usual drugs given.

When you say about putting him on a regular schedule, does it mean that every other person in the house also begins a 'schedule' at the same time eg turnig the TV off, turning the lights down, playing some relaxation of meditative type music very quietly in the background, taking relaxing baths, reading quiet stories by bed lamp light, speaking softly to one another, moving quietly and calmly around the house? If not, these are good strategies to employ.

Answer 4

I would first have to ask has he been seen by his pediatrician and found to have ADHD. Or are you going off of what a teacher has said. Then I would get him in to see a specialist. The problem with ADHD medication is that it is often over prescribed and ADHD meds also have the increased risk of suicide. I would then ask have you evaluated his diet? A lot of times a child's behavior (however minor or severe) can often be "fixed" by changing up their diets. Sometimes a child isn't getting enough iron, protein or even fats. Others there are some allergic reactions to yeast (which by the way is in nearly everything we eat), sometimes it is an allergy to anything enriched (breads, pastas etc. all are enriched but you can find them that are not enriched) and other times it is the need for more or less caffeine in the diet. I would recommend exhausting all other options before putting my child on a mind altering drug of any kind especially since the risk of suicide is so great. Unfortunately, when we medicate for one problem we end up creating yet another. Take him to the pediatrician first. Ask his opinion. He will likely give you a check list to go over and then ask a lot of questions about your son. Regardless of his/her diagnosis I would also ask for the number of a specialist who may be able to help. You are doing the right thing to ask for additional information about ADD/ADHD meds before actually doing it. Kudos to you! A lot of parents just want their kids to fit societies definition of "normal" that they immediately drug their kids to cover up a stigma. Anyway! Fabulous job, Mom! But see his pediatrician and then see a specialist.

Answer 5

Try not to give your son any type of refined sugar before bed.
As far as his daily diet goes, try to eliminate most refined sugars, chemicals and food coloring dyes. Read the labels. Stop n Shop has a store brand called Nature's Promise that is great and healthy. Healthy snacks such as fruits and veggies are the best !
I know what he eats is not the whole issue at hand but health eating changes have been a proven, positive impact.
If he needs to be on medications for his ADHD, then so be it but if i were you I would not give him excess meds for sleeping.
Try to unwind him before bed. I don't know how old your child is but maybe a whole ritual starting about an hour before bed would be good. A healthy snack with some warm milk perhaps, story time for the whole fam, or a fave TV show, along with prayer time and goodnight hugs. Try to keep to the same schedule everynight. Kids thrive on consistency.

Answer 6

Along with the regular schedule you tried the bath, maybe a sugar free snack before bed (the body uses energy to break down the foods).
My boys two being diagnosed, always sleep with TV on. They listen to radio when they get grounded from TV.

No drugs hopefully? Some of these drugs makes one unable to sleep. Also other side effects that are quite nasty. I to am ADHD. I have been on the meds. Thank god I took myself off of them!

The ADHDers I know like to start there day around 11pm.
Hope this helps and there is no quick way to or a box to put your son in. Things that help this family might not help your son etc.

Answer 7

Please take your son to a Neurologist. My son also has ADDED and problems sleeping. There is medication that the doctor can prescribe for the problem as a whole that will ultimately help your child to sleep as well. ADHD children also have a lot of built up anxiety,usually. Please do not try to medicate your child with over the counter sleeping aides, it will be more harmful than good. Also, try to make sure that your child has appropriate opportunity to do something that involves deep pressure movements daily, ex: mini trampoline. Do this in the evening to get out excess energy, but also make sure that your child has at least 1-2 hours relaxation time for winding down (non-hyper type activity) prior to going to bed. So, get the energy out and then get in a relaxation mode prior to bed. I hope this helps.

Answer 8

Try Melatonin. It's available over the counter or even off the shelf most places. Melatonin is a natural hormone that your body produces to signal the brain when its time to go to sleep. ADHD medication (stimulants) disrupt the melatonin. The nice thing about melatonin is that it doesn't produce drowsiness and doesn't have side effects, and there is no worry about dependency, since your body has a natural mechanism for getting rid of the hormone once you fall asleep. Check with your doctor or pediatrician to be sure - I'm not aware of any negative drug interactions. It is also good for adults who have difficulty sleeping or for getting back on track from jet lag.

Answer 9

I'm a school teacher, and I teach kids with ADD and Autism. In order to allieviate some of his hyperactivity, you might want to try to wear him out during the day. We usually let the students I teach have a little extra outside time, and we keep the day really busy, so that by the time they get home, they're tired.

As for medication- talk to a pediatric neurologist, or ask your family physician!

Hope this helps!

Answer 10

I don't beleive in that crap!!! There was not any ADHD BS when I was growing up. My opinion is that these libral goof balls that don't beleive in disciplining their children, need to be MADE to take those drugs that they are pumping into their helpless kids!!! Have YOU ever taken your kid's medicine? When these kids were acting like a bunch of little brats during the terrible two's , their parents should have busted their little bottoms and nipped that bad behavior in the bud. NOW society has a bunch of school age drug addicts that go to the freaking nurse for "their medicine", and are given candy for behaving. HUMMMM, no WONDER our kids are so f^cked up!!! how about spending a little time with your kid and read a story before bed, or talk about his day, and how about YOU help him wind down before bed. Maybe you should have started him on a "schedule" when he was an infant!!! WHERE IS CPS WHEN THE PARENTS ARE GETTING THE KIDS HIGH!!!!

Answer 11

We have a son with the same thing and we used the Nikken Sleep System and certain relaxation exercises before bed time.