I think with ADHDer's we never can really know what is up with them when they are on so much medication. I know that I have a hard time figuring out when it's meds vs. behaviour. For my son his meds keep him alert and on the ball. So if his meds don't wear off in time for bedtime meds...Well, he will most likely be up off and on all night.
To make a long story short - One evening my son's Daytrana patch was not removed. He was not in my care at the time it was to be taken off and I trusted that it was removed. It was not. I didn't discover the patch until morning time when I went to attach another patch. That night was a nightmare! He NEVER went to sleep. I thought I was going to lose my mind. He was sleeping with me that night and just kept talking and laughing. I finally turned the TV on for him and that kept him quiet so I could get some rest. But, I make sure that patch is off now!
I also notice that if my son does not get enough activity during the day he won't sleep as soundly. And since school has started he has woken me up just about every night 3-4 times. My son said his teacher forgot recess yesterday! I hate school!
After awhile you will learn to figure out just what keeps them awake. And my guess is with the crying spells and clinginess that it may be your childs medication. Try to see if things have been different as of late. If you can't figure it out in a couple days I would call the doctor.
I've been having med troubles with my son. Suddenly my son has been anxious beyond functioning on the Daytrana patch. He wet himself at school yesterday because he was afraid there might be bugs in the bathroom. That was the final straw. He went to school WITHOUT the patch today. His teacher will not be happy, but what am I supposed to do. He has a doctor appointment in a week. I hope we can all hold it together that long.
Very good point about the physical activity, the same is true w/my daughter..she plays lots of sports so usually has had plenty of daily exercise, but on rainy days or days w/out a couple of soccer practices or games, going to sleep is a huge problem. I think the activity actually makes the medication (in her case Concerta) metabolize quicker and leave the body faster. It seems late afternoon sports (or jogging or dog walking) is perfect in her case. Good LuckMy 6YO takes Focalin, Tenex and Clonidine. In the ams, she takes 5 mg of Focalin XR and 2.5 of short-acting Focalin, 1 mg of Tenex. At lunchtime, she takes another 2.5 of short-acting Focalin. Bedtime is .1 to .15 Clonidine.
She is going to bed at her regular time easily, but she is up after three hours. She is out of her bed, crying, complaining that she can't go to sleep. This behavior coincides with extreme clinginess. She is great during the day, happy and compliant, but goes nuts after dark.
She has been taking these dosages of Focalin all summer. Her only sleep issue before was staying up later than usual, but she was sleeping all night long and not up crying every 10 minutes. Before this sleep problem happened, she was taking Tenex at night and in the mornings, and then we switched the pm Tenex for Clonidine when she started waking up. I am about to lose my mind.
Has this happened to anyone? I'm trying to rule out other physical causes (UTI?) and figure out whether this is a behavioral thing or medication related. I am so frustrated, and all I seem to be able to do is be irritated. She is fine in the mornings, once she takes her medications, but the rest of us are exhausted.
Help!
My son has the same reaction to the tenex. If I give it slightly earlier in the evening it goes better and as his body adjusts the nightwakings have stopped. I know it is the tenex because others have had similar problems and Tenex was all he was on for summer.