Sleep issues/ drugs

January 17, 2008

Hi, I have never posted here, but I really need some help. My 4 1/2

daughter (classic autism) is having the worst sleep issue phase of

her life. She usually has a phase of refusing to go to sleep in her

bed and or getting up at night that last a few days to a week and

then just magically disappears and she gets in the bed and sleeps

like my typical children who happen to be quadruplets. So they are

all same age with similar life issues. But this has now been going

on for over a month, she won't even go in her room with out

screaming, so we let her pass out in our room or downstairs then

carry her to hers. She wakes up like clockwork at midnight and gets

in our bed quietly or screams her head off till we get her, then she

will either continue to scream for 1-3 hours or will be so awake she

wants to play, walk around the house, go in her siblings room and

scream if I don't let her (I don't, so I have to whisk her off to a

room to scream.) And this can go on until 5 am when she passes out

but then has to get up for school at 7. To make matters worse, I am

8 months pregnant. So I am hoping to get a few weeks of sleep before

I have to be up with an infant at night. I have talked to her dev

pediatrician and psychologist. I have tried Melatonin and now

Clonodine (which seems to work best but I feel very guilty giving her

drugs.) I wonder what the drugs are doing to her nervous system and

is it more important for her to get sleep or be drug free ( I know

the answer for me, but what about her?) Anyway, Should I try to find

a sleep disorder Dr. or does anyone have any hope for me, I am

totally exhausted and at the end of my rope. I think she may have

occasional digestive issues as she only eats like 6 things and none

are very healthy digestion-wise. Sorry so long, anyone have any

advice?

Sincerely,

Bonnie

January 17, 2008

I consider myself sort of an anti-med person, but even I don't think you have

any reason to feel guilty. You have other children to consider, and you are

eight months pregnant. If the clonidine is working, please don't feel guilty.

Also, is it possible that you can just let her use the Clonidine for now and for

a while after your next child is born, and then in the future when your

circumstances are better with adjusting to the newborn, etc. you can consider

other options? It's not like you have her on five medications or something. My

son has been on benadryl and melatonin since he was four, and he's now 10.

These are mild medications, and he would never sleep at all without them, and

sometimes doesn't sleep with them. We are less frightened by the possibility of

other meds now that he is older. As far as guilt is concerned, there's a

wonderful book called, " An Unexpected Joy: The Gift of Parenting a Special Needs

Child " written by a physician who has a son with autism. She talks about how

important it is to have sleep. She says that if the sleep is not taken care of

for the child with autism, the parents brain chemistry will change from lack of

sleep, and that it takes years to rectify long-term sleep deprivation. Sleep

deprivation is a very effective torture technique:(! We all need sleep to take

care of our children the best that we can. You need sleep. I am not telling

you that you have to use Clonidine, but I am just saying that the drug may

impact her nervous system, but so does a lack of sleep for her and everyone

else's nervous systems as well. She may not have any side effects to the meds,

but you all will have proven side effects from lack of sleep! I hope someone

else will fill you in on some other options, but I just don't think you should

feel guilty:).

Take Care