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Looking for sleep advice

FrustratedMummi

Hi again folks...

My 8 year old son has a dianosis of severe high dependency autism and he's always had trouble sleeping. I thought that the moment we had a 3 bed house he'd settle better and for a while he did... He had a great routine, slept well at good hours, but since late November last year he's had nothing but massive periods of insomnia. He just won't settle, won't sleep until 4-5am at which time if I manage to get him into to school I get a report back that he's done nothing but sleep all day and that's the days I can get him to school.

I know his attendance is poor and I even asked for help and completed a CAF for a sleep clinic referal only to be told there isn't one in my area.

I don't really know what to do. His behaviour and health is suffering as a result and so is mine. I'm terrified to sleep in case he's up all night and sometimes I just collapse with exhaustion and wake knowing he's been awake all night.

I'm at the point where I am heavily considering speaking with my doctor and medicating him to sleep... Which makes me uneasy but I honestly have no clue what else to do... All the things I've tried don't work and being a single parent means it's just me trying to keep my life together on no sleep and deal with him and his sister who also has ASD and ADHD - Any advice would be welcomed.

Regards

A Very tired mummy x

Parents

  • I generally agree with the advice given.

    However I don't agree with seeing anything 'natural' as safe and good, and prescription medicines as dangerous and bad. The reality is that both prescription medicines and herbs contain active chemicals.  Herbs may contain several different active chemicals in variable proportions and concentrations, meaning that it's difficult to get an accurate dose.  Medicines contain precise amounts of known active ingredients and so more accurate dosages can be given.

    I like using herbs: I've been interested in their use since childhood.  But I respect them, and know that they can cause side effects.

    Here's an article on Valerian, which is commonly used as a herbal treatment for insomnia:

    http://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/herb/valerian

    Melatonin is a chemical naturally produced in the brain which promotes sleep.  Here's a link:

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melatonin

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  • I generally agree with the advice given.

    However I don't agree with seeing anything 'natural' as safe and good, and prescription medicines as dangerous and bad. The reality is that both prescription medicines and herbs contain active chemicals.  Herbs may contain several different active chemicals in variable proportions and concentrations, meaning that it's difficult to get an accurate dose.  Medicines contain precise amounts of known active ingredients and so more accurate dosages can be given.

    I like using herbs: I've been interested in their use since childhood.  But I respect them, and know that they can cause side effects.

    Here's an article on Valerian, which is commonly used as a herbal treatment for insomnia:

    http://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/herb/valerian

    Melatonin is a chemical naturally produced in the brain which promotes sleep.  Here's a link:

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melatonin

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