My 6 yr old was Dx'd with ADHD the hyper kind last year by a private dr./phychologist.  Now we did try concerta but he had a severe reaction to this, so he never was put on anything else.

In school this year the teacher is very very pleased with his behavior. Unlike his kindergarden teacher and his behavior last year.  He's very still, quiet and well behaved.

Home ~ different issue, he is so uncontrollably hyper.  He can not keep his hands still and will pick at anything he can reach, if not an object, himself. 

Anyways, for the last 2 months he's having difficulty sleeping.  He has always been a sleep walker, getting out of the home 2 times, we now have a full alarm.  He's been having trouble falling asleep and if he does fall asleep, he can not stay asleep longer than about 5 hours, no matter what time of night he falls asleep.  Tonight he just broke down, he's crying so hard, saying his eyes are so tired but he can't sleep good. 

I've tried everything, sleep routine since he was younger, I'm a biggy on routines.  I tried lavender scented sachets, sleeping noises CD, counting, singing, reading a book, dimming lights early, deep breathing, etc....nothing has helped. 

it seems along in the last couple months his hyperness is elevated as well.  Teacher has noticed a little, but still at school he is considered an excellent behaved child.  But here at home, he's off the walls.  So I made an appt. w/ my oder son's phychytrist this week to speak about Jared.  I'm so scared about the medications, he almost died from the Concerta.

Is sleeping issues a problem with ADHD?  Or I'm wondering if it's emotional.

Thanks

There are meds that are not stimulants that work well with ADHD hyperactive type.  Tenex (guanfacine) is one.  It is a blood pressure med that has the "off label" use for ADHD.It works well with hyperactivity, and also helps some with sleep issues. It does not have much affect on the inattentiveness, but your son seems to not have a problem with that. You might ask your doctor about this drug, or Chlonidine, which has a stronger affect on sleep, but also has more side effects I believe...

My son was always a night owl though he never walked in his sleep.  Before meds and after. 

Have you tried Melatonin?  It is not a drug, it is something that is  manufactured in your body to regulate sleep cycles,but some people do not manufacture enough for one reason or another.  It is sold over the counter in health food stores and even in Dollar General, as well as drug stores.  Many people on this message board, including me, have had good results using Melatonin.  Ask your doctor if he/she thinks it would be safe to try it with your son.

Good luck and welcome to the board!

Chases mom has given you some good options to discuss with the doctor.

Do you think the sleep issues are because of the ADHD or are the ADHD symptoms worse because of lack of sleep?

My daughter has had sleep issues her entire life because her mind would not slow down enough to sleep. She sleeps better when she is on guanfacine (Tenex) or concerta alone (we tried the gaunfacine alone to see if better sleep would help her symptoms). She is now on guanfacine morning and night with concerta for school. The tenex is a non-stimulant med that is useful for ADHD. In fact Shire has recently reported the results of their clinical studies to the FDA to get approval to market thier form of guanfacine for ADHD. This may be worth discussing with your doctor.

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