Natural remedy for sleep? | ADHD Information
My daughter has always had difficulities going to sleep. I will put her to bed by 8:30pm and she will still be up until 10-11pm in her room. She just recently started on meds Ritalin was on 5mg 1x per day and this week started 10MG extended. The doctor felt the meds should help with sleep issue but has not and I am in need of sleep. My husband works nights and I am running like crazy after work between dinner, homework, bath, need I list more. I am also concerned she needs some sleep herself. when she is up late mom gets little or no down time for herself. SOS You might try a good brand of Melatonin. Take about 30 minutes before bedtime. Make sure lights are out and you are lying down at 30 minutes. Melatonin is a natural way to get to sleep and it's safe. You try reading to your daughter after she takes the Melatonin to settle her down enough with the lights dimmed.cynthiatweedle38674.3796412037jillette,
we use valerian root that is sold in a small dropper bottle at the local health food store. put a couple drops in a small glass of water to drink. i'll warn that the stuff smells pretty bad tho!! i've copied some info about valerian below.
hth and let me know if you give it a try.
kppy
Valerian
For centuries, people have turned to the herb valerian to help them sleep. The particular plant species that is used to counter insomnia is Valeriana officinalis. Like other orally administered sleep aids, valerian is recommended for occasional insomnia only. Though it is unclear exactly how valerian works, some research suggests that, like sleeping pills, valerian affects the neurotransmitter GABA. This is still under debate. While not all clinical trials have shown valerian to be effective for sleep, there have been a number of positive studies.
The best study to date of valerian's effectiveness in treating insomnia involved 121 people followed for 28 days. Half of the participants took 600 mg of an alcohol-based valerian extract 1 hour before bedtime, the other half took an inactive placebo. At first, there appeared to be no benefits to taking the valerian, but by the end of the study the participants treated with valerian were sleeping significantly better.
In another large study valerian was immediately more effective than placebo. This trial followed 128 subjects who had no sleeping problems. On three consecutive nights they took either valerian, a valerian-hops combination, or placebo. The results showed that on the nights they took valerian alone, participants fell asleep faster than when they were taking placebo or the combination.
Additional evidence for valerian's effectiveness comes from a double-blind placebo-controlled study of 78 elderly patients. In this case, sleep improved by the end of the study, at 14 days. Other studies have found valerian to be equally as effective as the sleep aids oxazepam and bromazepam. There has also been some preliminary evidence that the combination of valerian and lemon balm can improve sleep quality.
The FDA categorizes valerian as GRAS—generally recognized as safe. A few people experience mild gastrointestinal distress when taking valerian, and there have been rare reports of people developing a paradoxical mild stimulant effect from valerian. Valerian does not appear to impair driving ability or produce morning drowsiness when it is taken at night—though it is recommended that you not drive immediately after taking valerian. There have been some reports, however, of dangerous side effects from products containing valerian in combination with other potentially toxic herbs or medications like benzodiazepines.
How to use it
For insomnia, the standard dosage of valerian is 2 to 3 g of dried herb, 270 to 450 mg of an aqueous valerian extract, or 600 mg of an alcohol-based extract, taken 30 to 60 minutes before bedtime. According to the study mentioned previously that used this dosage, valerian may require weeks to reach its full effects. If you are interested in valerian, be sure to inform your doctor before taking it.
Note: There can be risks in abruptly discontinuing benzodiazepine drugs. Consult your physician for advice.
Thank you I am printing this page so I can read again later. I am also going to run it by the pediatrition just to be safe since she is on meds.Jillette, when my son was on meds he had a HORRIBLE time falling asleep. The doctor had him take Melatonin. He was seven at the time and started off with half of a 3mg tablet (so 1.5 was our starting point). We ended up going to 3 mg before the year was out. I can tell you that Melatonin changed our lives! Some people may tell you not to use it because it hasn't been studied the way "medicine" has. But both my son's psychiatrist AND doctor agreed that Melatonin would be perfectly safe. I still give it to him from time to time when he's wound up at night. And Cynthia is right. Just give it about 30 minutes before bedtime.
Oh! Something else. I use the Melatonin Wal Mart or Kroger sells (both work). I crush the pill in a pill crusher and mix it in a little juice. Use a straw and stir it up if you do this because the powder often sticks to the sides or bottom of the glass.
And if it makes you feel better, call your doctor to confirm it's okay for your child.
valerian - Drug Interactions
Acetaminophen with Codeine Phosphate
Excessive drowsiness may occur when taken together. Use with caution.Alprazolam Excessive drowsiness may occur when taken together. Use with caution.
Amitriptyline Hydrochloride Excessive drowsiness may occur when taken together. Use with caution.
Amoxapine Excessive drowsiness may occur when taken together. Use with caution.
Astemizole Excessive drowsiness may occur when taken together. Use with caution.
Baclofen Excessive drowsiness may occur when taken together. Use with caution.
Brompheniramine Maleate Excessive drowsiness may occur when taken together. Use with caution.
Bupropion Hydrochloride Excessive drowsiness may occur when taken together. Use with caution.
Butalbital/Acetaminophen/Caffeine Excessive drowsiness may occur when taken together. Use with caution.
Butalbital/Acetaminophen/Caffeine/Codeine Excessive drowsiness may occur when taken together. Use with caution.
Butalbital/Aspirin/Caffeine Excessive drowsiness may occur when taken together. Use with caution.
Butalbital/Aspirin/Caffeine/Codeine Phosphate Excessive drowsiness may occur when taken together. Use with caution.
Butorphanol Tartrate Excessive drowsiness may occur when taken together. Use with caution.
Carisoprodol Excessive drowsiness may occur when taken together. Use with caution.
Chloral Hydrate Excessive drowsiness may occur when taken together. Use with caution.
Chlordiazepoxide Excessive drowsiness may occur when taken together. Use with caution.
Chlordiazepoxide/Amitriptyline Excessive drowsiness may occur when taken together. Use with caution.
Chlorpheniramine Maleate Oral Excessive drowsiness may occur when taken together. Use with caution.
Chlorzoxazone Excessive drowsiness may occur when taken together. Use with caution.
Citalopram Hydrobromide Excessive drowsiness may occur when taken together. Use with caution.
Clemastine Fumarate Excessive drowsiness may occur when taken together. Use with caution.
Clomipramine Hydrochloride Excessive drowsiness may occur when taken together. Use with caution.
Clonazepam Excessive drowsiness may occur when taken together. Use with caution.
Clorazepate Dipotassium Excessive drowsiness may occur when taken together. Use with caution.
Codeine Excessive drowsiness may occur when taken together. Use with caution.
Cyclobenzaprine Excessive drowsiness may occur when taken together. Use with caution.
Cyproheptadine Hydrochloride Excessive drowsiness may occur when taken together. Use with caution.
Dantrolene Sodium Excessive drowsiness may occur when taken together. Use with caution.
Desipramine Hydrochloride Excessive drowsiness may occur when taken together. Use with caution.
Diazepam Excessive drowsiness may occur when taken together. Use with caution.
Dimenhydrinate Excessive drowsiness may occur when taken together. Use with caution.
Diphenhydramine Hydrochloride Excessive drowsiness may occur when taken together. Use with caution.
Doxepin Hydrochloride Excessive drowsiness may occur when taken together. Use with caution.
Estazolam Excessive drowsiness may occur when taken together. Use with caution.
Ethchlorvynol Excessive drowsiness may occur when taken together. Use with caution.
Fentanyl Transdermal Excessive drowsiness may occur when taken together. Use with caution.
Fentanyl Transmucosal Excessive drowsiness may occur when taken together. Use with caution.
Fexofenadine Excessive drowsiness may occur when taken together. Use with caution.
Fexofenadine/Pseudoephedrine Excessive drowsiness may occur when taken together. Use with caution.
Fluoxetine Hydrochloride Excessive drowsiness may occur when taken together. Use with caution.
Flurazepam Hydrochloride Excessive drowsiness may occur when taken together. Use with caution.
Fluvoxamine Maleate Excessive drowsiness may occur when taken together. Use with caution.
Hydrocodone Bitartrate/Acetaminophen Excessive drowsiness may occur when taken together. Use with caution.
Hydrocodone Bitartrate/Ibuprofen Excessive drowsiness may occur when taken together. Use with caution.
Hydromorphone Hydrochloride Excessive drowsiness may occur when taken together. Use with caution.
Hydroxyzine Excessive drowsiness may occur when taken together. Use with caution.
Imipramine Excessive drowsiness may occur when taken together. Use with caution.
Levomethadyl Acetate Hydrochloride Excessive drowsiness may occur when taken together. Use with caution.
Loratadine Excessive drowsiness may occur when taken together. Use with caution.
Loratadine/Pseudoephedrine Excessive drowsiness may occur when taken together. Use with caution.
Lorazepam Excessive drowsiness may occur when taken together. Use with caution.
Maprotiline Hydrochloride Excessive drowsiness may occur when taken together. Use with caution.
Meperidine Hydrochloride Excessive drowsiness may occur when taken together. Use with caution.
Methadone Hydrochloride Excessive drowsiness may occur when taken together. Use with caution.
Methocarbamol Excessive drowsiness may occur when taken together. Use with caution.
Mirtazapine Excessive drowsiness may occur when taken together. Use with caution.
Morphine Excessive drowsiness may occur when taken together. Use with caution.
Nalbuphine Hydrochloride Excessive drowsiness may occur when taken together. Use with caution.
Nefazodone Hydrochloride Excessive drowsiness may occur when taken together. Use with caution.
Nortriptyline Hydrochloride Excessive drowsiness may occur when taken together. Use with caution.
Olopatadine Excessive drowsiness may occur when taken together. Use with caution.
Orphenadrine Citrate Excessive drowsiness may occur when taken together. Use with caution.
Oxazepam Excessive drowsiness may occur when taken together. Use with caution.
Oxycodone Hydrochloride Excessive drowsiness may occur when taken together. Use with caution.
Oxycodone/Acetaminophen Excessive drowsiness may occur when taken together. Use with caution.
Oxycodone/Aspirin Excessive drowsiness may occur when taken together. Use with caution.
Paroxetine Hydrochloride Excessive drowsiness may occur when taken together. Use with caution.
Pentazocine Excessive drowsiness may occur when taken together. Use with caution.
Phenelzine Sulfate Excessive drowsiness may occur when taken together. Use with caution.
Promethazine Hydrochloride Excessive drowsiness may occur when taken together. Use with caution.
Propoxyphene Excessive drowsiness may occur when taken together. Use with caution.
Propoxyphene/Acetaminophen Excessive drowsiness may occur when taken together. Use with caution.
Protriptyline Hydrochloride Excessive drowsiness may occur when taken together. Use with caution.
Quazepam Excessive drowsiness may occur when taken together. Use with caution.
Sertraline Hydrochloride Excessive drowsiness may occur when taken together. Use with caution.
Temazepam Excessive drowsiness may occur when taken together. Use with caution.
Tizanidine Hydrochloride Excessive drowsiness may occur when taken together. Use with caution.
Tranylcypromine Sulfate Excessive drowsiness may occur when taken together. Use with caution.
Trazodone Excessive drowsiness may occur when taken together. Use with caution.
Triazolam Excessive drowsiness may occur when taken together. Use with caution.
Triprolidine Hydrochloride Excessive drowsiness may occur when taken together. Use with caution.
Venlafaxine Excessive drowsiness may occur when taken together. Use with caution.
Zaleplon Excessive drowsiness may occur when taken together. Use with caution.
Zolpidem Tartrate Excessive drowsiness may occur when taken together. Use with caution.
We already have Melatonin in our brain chemistry. But maybe not enough.. I took it for quite a while.. safe and natural.. But MY DREAMS... WOW...
Has anyone experienced really really WILD dreams from it.. I already dream wild enough.. LOL...... But it is good for sleep....
Hugs to everyone
Mamie
Never had wild dreams, just good peaceful sleep. I have heard that before though.I also use Melatonin. It works for me. I buy the generic WalGreens brand. I also take L-Tyrosine. I understand that is suppose to make you drowsy. Don't quote me on the L-Tyrosine however. I take it because it is suppose to "support" Ritalin LA so you get more results without having to increase dosage.
I did have wild dreams when I first started taking it. They have seemed to have gone away. I remember one dream where Jack Nicholson was my doctor!![QUOTE=Sparco] I remember one dream where Jack Nicholson was my doctor!![/QUOTE]
Whoa!!! That's not only wild, it's downright SCARY!!!
He's a great actor, but the man totally freaks me out.
I take Melatonin and Valerian root every night. The Melatonin helps you fall asleep, and the Valerian root helps you stay asleep. Too bad they don't make a yummy chewable or a flavored liquid for kids. The advise on taking it 30 min before bedtime is right from my experience.Yea Leigh, Jack freaked me out in my dream as well!Boy am I in shock. After reading this post I had a couple of chats with my son, just because. I've always considered him to be a great sleeper. Turns out that I put him to bed at 8 pm, but he stays awake until after we go to bed around 9:30 pm, sometimes later. And when he he has nightmares he cannot go back to sleep for a long time. He stopped coming in my room about nightmares awhile ago so I thought dreams were no longer waking him up. He is not on meds. Unbelievable. I have a steadfast rule that once you are in bed, you do not get up except to use the toliet, and you must be quiet. So of course he followed the rule and I had no idea that he was awake
. His neuro-psyche already told me that lack of sleep has a huge effect. I gave him 3 mg of Melatonin last night and he woke up this morning saying he fell asleep right away and slept really good.