S/O - 8yo DS with ADHD can't fall asleep

[Anonymous]

8yo DS was recently diagnosed and has been on a low dose of ER Methylphenidate for about 6 weeks. He's always struggled to fall asleep, but since starting meds, things have gotten much worse.

Most nights it's taking him 90 mins or more and requires continuous intervention from DH and I. He gets increasingly anxious about trying to sleep and comes out of his bedroom to get us every few minutes so we can reassure him and help him get back to bed.

We already have a structured bedtime routine to help wind him down, but he just can't turn his brain off and relax. We've tried breathing exercises and little mediations to no avail and anything stern or cautionary obviously just makes things worse. Last night, at nearly midnight, I finally just brought him into bed with me to cuddle and he was out in 5 mins. At this point I'm not sure if it's the meds keeping him awake or the coming off the meds that's making his mind race, and awake.

I guess I should give melatonin a try but looking for other advice as we're working our way through this diagnosis. Our evenings have become a nightmare and we are all so, so tired.

[Anonymous]

Melatonin

[Anonymous]

Have you talked to the doctor about the sleeplessness? There may be an adjustment that can be made.

[Anonymous]

My 9 yo was just diagnosed earlier this year and stimulants caused the same problem, plus stomach aches, so she's been switched to non-stimulants and can go to bed normally again.

[Anonymous]

melatonin 3mg or less

[Anonymous]

If you figure it out let me know. 10 year old is regularly up past 10:00. I find that the sooner the rest of the house quiets down, the sooner she does. If DH turn off our light at 9 she will settle down soon after (though I cannot go to bed at 9 every night). While if I'm busier than usual, still doing laundry or something active when it's late, she gets up even more to see what I'm doing.

[Anonymous]

We are in the same boat and 1mg of melatonin works like a charm.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My 9 yo was just diagnosed earlier this year and stimulants caused the same problem, plus stomach aches, so she's been switched to non-stimulants and can go to bed normally again.

Same here, same age, same advice.

[Anonymous]

We found sleep mediations helped our kid with ADHD after years of struggling to fall asleep.

[Anonymous]

Talk to your dr. This is one of those side effects they want to hear about and will switch meds if its persists.

My 9 year old has tried multiple meds and a few had a noticeable difference in ability to sleep. We found one that didnt thankfully.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We are in the same boat and 1mg of melatonin works like a charm.

This. Made a world of difference. Talk to your pediatrician - we started melatonin after consulting with ours on dosage and discussing long-term usage, since it's considered a supplement and isn't well-regulated/standardized.

[Anonymous]

Can you just lay down with him and snuggle him to sleep? We do it every night for our 7 year old who needs to do-regulate. It’s usually 15ish minutes, often less, and so worth it.

[Anonymous]

Same medication here. I have posted here before.

For us no screens 1 hr before bedtime along with Magnesium Glycenate. Consistent routine, ending with a meditation from app Headspace.

It is incredible how much the magnesium helps, if we forget I can tell the same night the difference. However, doctor said it can take a couple of weeks for magnesium to take affect.

[Anonymous]

When my kid was prescribed ritalin he was also prescribed clonidine. You should discuss it with your doc.

[Anonymous]

Same. We switched to non stimulants and it helped significantly.