Ways to Get Sleepy on ADHD meds

[Anonymous]

My 11YO is on Adderall in the morning and Guanfacine at night for his ADHD, and the Adderall makes it consistently hard for him to fall asleep. I'm talking falling-sleep times between 11 and midnight. He started his meds journey on Ritalin--it was too much so he was only on non-stimulants, but he was behaviorally a mess--and his mood and focus have gotten MUCH better on the Adderall, so I want to keep it. But -- any suggestions for sleepiness? We give him melatonin sometimes, but I hear that messes with hormones. He gets to listen to an audiobook as he falls asleep for 3 nights a week, and I get that for his ADHD brain, he may need something to occupy him rather than nothing. Then again, maybe it's too much? Then again a second time, it's not like music or silence does him much better.

Would love suggestions for routines, "natural" remedies, surprising things like "my kid fell asleep better when we gave him his last meal at 8pm"--whatever. Or maybe the TLDR is, "this is what happens with stimulants; make your peace with it." But I just want to know others' experiences.

[Anonymous]

Take meds as early as possible in the morning

Get rigorous exercise every day

A good bedtime routine and don't expect bedtime to be too early

No screens, sugar or eating in general a few hours before bedtime

Plus melatonin

[Anonymous]

1-3 mg of melatonin. Our psy has not expressed any concerns with continued use of it.

It's not an every day thing but the few times DC has had an eve bath with some epsom salt they go right to sleep after. I guess it is the magnesium?

[Anonymous]

DD listens to “sleep music” as she calls it. She found some Spotify playlists of calm instrumental music and uses that. I commented to her recently saying that she’s been falling asleep quickly lately. And that’s when she showed me what she’s been listening to. She does have screen time limits on her phone, but we leave Spotify unlocked.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My 11YO is on Adderall in the morning and Guanfacine at night for his ADHD, and the Adderall makes it consistently hard for him to fall asleep. I'm talking falling-sleep times between 11 and midnight. He started his meds journey on Ritalin--it was too much so he was only on non-stimulants, but he was behaviorally a mess--and his mood and focus have gotten MUCH better on the Adderall, so I want to keep it. But -- any suggestions for sleepiness? We give him melatonin sometimes, but I hear that messes with hormones. He gets to listen to an audiobook as he falls asleep for 3 nights a week, and I get that for his ADHD brain, he may need something to occupy him rather than nothing. Then again, maybe it's too much? Then again a second time, it's not like music or silence does him much better.

Would love suggestions for routines, "natural" remedies, surprising things like "my kid fell asleep better when we gave him his last meal at 8pm"--whatever. Or maybe the TLDR is, "this is what happens with stimulants; make your peace with it." But I just want to know others' experiences.

Magnesium glycinate. Try the Neviss gummies on Amazon.

[Anonymous]

Mangesium is a good rec as someone else said. Make sure you look up which kinds can induce drowsiness because some have no effect. I think magnesium oxide and taurate are two that can induce drowsiness.

As for herbs, valerian, lemon balm, and passion flower are some that work for a lot of people. My mother in law recommended orange leaves (from a tree in the neighborhood) steeped in hot water and it's been great for me. Ashwaganda is another that I love, although I hear that it makes some people energetic or concentrate more? For me, it makes me relaxed and tired. For any of these options, take a small dose of herb, like a pinch between the thumb and index finger, or a few drops of a tinture. Look in MOM'S (My Organic Market) or Whole Foods.

Melatonin is okay, but have your son take 1 mg or less a night to avoid disruption to the pineal gland's ability to produce it on its own. It's often more effective at smaller doses too. Also have him take it ekther right before or after he turns the lights off and stops using screens. Blue light diminishes the effect.

My last suggestion is that he has a wind down routine. Stop stimulating activities and do some slow stretching and breathing.

Best of luck to you and him.

[Anonymous]

Maybe try the guanfacine earlier in the evening--it seems to take a while to kick in for us. Is there a shorter acting version of Adderall or can you try a slightly lower dose?

[Anonymous]

Our therapist recommended the Smiling Mind app for kids. There are exercises to help calm the mind for sleep. Also we’ve seen benefits from Hiya vitamins bedtime essentials—no melatonin or sugar but chamomile and gaba.

[Anonymous]

Thanks, everyone! I really appreciate it.

[Anonymous]

Change to Clonidine at night over Guanfasine. Give it about an hour before when you want him to fall asleep. Much more sedating. Literally clears their head and relaxes them.

I give magnesium gummies at dinner to start the wind down process. No chocolate or process sugar after dinner either. Take screens away for the night. Nothing in room. Encourage art, reading or listening to podcasts or book on audio.

[Anonymous]

^I meant take screens away like by 8pm for the rest of the night.

[Anonymous]

OP responding again to say THANK YOU for the Magnesium powder suggestion. Natural Vitality CALM powder for the win -- it's 10:30 and our kid is ASLEEP. This is huge. He was probably asleep even earlier. It's barely even been a week, and it seems to have made a difference, especially when he takes it at 7:30. Thank you all!

[Anonymous]

I've never seen any studies that melatonin "messes with hormones." What exactly are you referring to?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I've never seen any studies that melatonin "messes with hormones." What exactly are you referring to?

Google it. You shouldn’t be taking melatonin every night

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've never seen any studies that melatonin "messes with hormones." What exactly are you referring to?

Google it. You shouldn’t be taking melatonin every night

I have and see no evidence of what you're asserting as fact. If you see credible research to support your statement--post it with a link to the research.