Parenting Forums

Posted: 15 April 2008 at 6:04pm | IP Logged

Hey all

Not been around here again for a while, my life is just so hectic I keep meaning to make time but never seem to.

Anyway, for those that don't know me, my youngest Kira has behavioural problems at school. We had a paed appointment over Easter and they have suggested we try this drug (although its not actually licenced as a drug) to help with her sleep pattern as she may have chronic fatigue.

She's 6 and has NEVER slept through. She also is a right pain when it comes to getting her down each night.

So anyone got any experience with this stuff? It's called Melatonin and is a synthetic version of a natural hormone we all produce when its dark to induce sleep. So it's not like we're giving her a drug just a little hormonal boost.

Have to say we've used it now for a couple of weeks and she goes down loads better is always asleep within an hour of going to bed. Still wakes about half of the nights but has actually slept through on a few occasions.

Currently waiting for a dietician appointment, a hearing test and we have a scoring tool to fill in to see if she can get diagnosed with something be it ADHD or a similar disorder. So as you can tell its all happening. In the meantime I'm deperately trying to get the school to bear with her and not go down the exclusion route as they appear to be giving up on her. Have a meeting there tomorrow so am hoping when they hear the plan medically they will continue to work with her rather than shunt the problem to another school.

Feel better for getting that off my chest. She's had an appalling day today and I feel at my wits end. dh is now questioning his own parenting skills and blaming himself and i don't have the energy to sooth his concerns on top of dealing with all this.

ARGHHHH why don't they come with an instruction book?

Kate

Posted: 15 April 2008 at 6:16pm | IP Logged

And I think my life is hard.

I can't really do anything but offer you all a big hug and hope that you get soem respite soon or she calms down.

Posted: 15 April 2008 at 6:35pm | IP Logged

Melatonin is a natural chemical in the brain which causes sleep. It is triggered by darkness and the lack of light. i used to sell light therapy and our 'bodyclocks' worked by turning the light down very slowing - over a period of around 45 mins which increased the melatonin and trigger the sleep mechanism - I use one and its very good.

I have never used a drug version but I can certainly understand why it might work.

Visit Lumie by clicking here (madmums affiliate too) if you want to know more about the lights - or contact me.

Posted: 15 April 2008 at 7:03pm | IP Logged

Awww hun i can sympathise my eldest doesn't sleep either but i can promise you it's nothing you or your dh's fault.

It's difficult to understand something when you don't have personnal experience and others are so blinkered. I hope that the appointments come though quickly and that the school take a serious look at wheather they are supporting your daughter or are making matters worse by labeling too hastily.

Good luck hun.... i'm afraid i have no experience of this drug but i would love to try it on both my kids as my nearly 2yr old doesn't sleep though and my 6yr old finally nods off at gone 10 and is awake by 5/6 and wakes in the night.....

Is the check list you've been sent the abc movement one?? I'm on my second one and it really makes you think what children can and can't do and how much of it is age or otherwise.

Your not alone hun i hope you find some answers and support soon x

Posted: 17 April 2008 at 11:40am | IP Logged

She slept through last night!

Half eight until quarter to seven, then nodded in our bed until half seven. Was a very chirpy little girl this morning. Has made a huge improvement in her going down at night.

Also had the report from the Ed Pysch today. Makes pretty heart breaking reading...inappropriate behaviour, including disruption, manupulation, tantrums and sulking. Her level of social, emotional and behavioural skills are behind where they are expected to be.

However, besides a couple of major wobblies in the last 2 weeks, overall she appears to be making progress. Is more willing to do as asked and her work is slowly improving. Her teachers appeared quite positive during our meeting yesterday. It's bloody hard work but at least its paying off.

Thanks all for listening, this place really helps me sort things out in my head, just writing it down gives it more focus.

Kate

Posted: 17 April 2008 at 1:13pm | IP Logged

Definitely Vicki

Convincing people she's not just NAUGHTY is a job and a half, now she's getting help as well as discipline things are looking up.

To anyone else out there, please keep pushing, its far from easy but eventually people have to listen.

A long long way yet to go but I feel like we're at least in a gear where uphill isn't an impossibility.

Posted: 17 April 2008 at 7:50pm | IP Logged

Awww hun thats fab i hope they market it soon as i'm sure my 2 could use some of this! lol

On a positive note it's good to hear that it is helping and that the school have finally switched their ears on... i hope it continues for you hun.

Ps. Don't worry i'm sure many of us find sitting down and posting the best way to convay how we feel and whats happening....myself for one! So your not alone there hun x