My 5yr old is diagnosed w/ ADHD...experiencing incredible sleeplessness...?

After enduring baffling behavioral problems, we went to the DR & our 5yr old son was diagnosed w/ ADHD. Through much trepidation we have opted to medicate, with terrific results! HOWEVER....an on-again-off-again problem w/ him since about 18months old, is sleeplessness. He has always gone through phases of not sleeping....we put him to bed @ 830 & we're lucky if he's asleep by midnight. Now we're pushing 1 & 2 a.m. Because he has done this on and off for so long we don't know if it's him (what to do?) or the medication (obviously take him off). I truly don't think it's the meds....this is just him. We are going into this phase again and I am wearing down and feeling quite helpless anymore. Thoughts anyone?

its very common for people to have trouble sleeping when they on medication for adhd. the medication enhances alertness and decreases drowsiness which is the opposite of what you would like when trying to sleep.

you can try to load up on citrus before bedtime. the citrus really negates the effects of the medication, dissolving what medication may be left in the body and could help bring a normal sleeping habit.

ADHD medication does not have any side-effects involving lack of sleep that I know of. Actually I think that it would make him more sleepy if anything. This is more than likely something with him, probably a sleeping disorder such as insomnia, especially since it has been happening for so long. The problem with that, though, is that I doubt sleeping pills are healthy for children and if you go to a doctor they may tell you the same thing. You might just have to live with it, but talk to a doctor about children's sleep disorders and their treatment.

As the mother of a 7 year old with mental illness, I'm sure you don't want to hear that it sounds like it might be pediatric bipolar. I can't say for sure, because I don't know your kid. But look up the symptoms and see how similar they are. The tell tale thing for me is the cyclic sleeplessness and that this got worse after starting on the adhd meds which will bring out mania in anyone with uncontrolled bipolar.

I was diagnosed with ADHD when I was about 5 I am now 24. During my school years Benadryl worked wonders for me. After the over the counter stuff stopped working, my Psychologist prescribed me some stronger Benadryl, which worked great. Now I am not currently taking any meds but I still suffer from insomnia because of the Ritalin and Adderall that I took until I was about 18. Now I usually take Tylenol PMs or get a prescription from something stronger. If you have any questions, I will be more than happy to help. Send me an e-mail. Hope this helps

Activity for a 5yr old is very normal, there is no rel proper way to say a child so young ,and very active. This and many more of his young yrs should be spent on full speed. Not drugged ,Dr's today are not trained to fully understand child development, so give the kid speed, this is harmful to his most important REM sleep. Don't let your want for a quiet kid, end up turning this one into a crankster later in his life, 5 yr olds are active ! ! deal with it without the drugs.

i have adhd and im 12. its a weird feeling. its like you wanna go to sleep so badly but theres something in your body that just want let you. and its kinda irretating and annoyin. u get really lazy but u just can fall asleep. i know our your son feels.

I'm not sure how to deal with that one...all I can suggest is upping his physical activity during the day..try to think of things that will exhaust him...if all else fails, give him some quiet toys to play with.

Hope that helps :P

My son also had trouble getting to sleep/ sleeping. i have found that the radio ( soothing music ) helps to get him to sleep. I think sometimes depending on what he eats will affect his sleeping habits.
Good Luck w/ everything I know it is very hard.

Well i have the same problem.I have ADHD and i have sleeping problems.It is because of the medicene.So i went to the docters and they put me on some medicene to help me fall asleep.

IF the medication is a stimulant medication, it can/does cause sleeplessness.

One of the similarities with both ADHD and sleeplessness, is mineral deficiency. It is possible that your child has a mineral deficiency. It is possible that he needs calcium/magnesium which should be the ratio 1/2 (100mg cal 200mg mag) something like that. I don't know how much he should get.

One of the other things to consider is a thyroid problem. Many thyroid problems are the result of a lack of iodine.

There is also a balance of all the minerals and vitamins and other nutrients that we need. I have been using a liquid vitamin and mineral product that is well balanced and in a liquid form with advanced technology for quick and best absorption.

I noticed that when I started taking it, instead of going to bed at 12:30, I was going to bed at 10:00 to 10:30. It is a matter of meeting the body's need.

when he stays up late wake him up at the same time. wake him at the same time everyday no matter what. I know you are doing your best but why put him in bed at 8:30pm. if you know hes not tired enough to go to sleep? Try maybe 10 and stick to it and get him up at 9am. If you can,i dont know if you have a strict morning schedule. remember adhd is not only a physical its mental. make sure he gets enough physical activity and mental stimulation. sorry but i do not think you should medicate a 5 year old. i went and am going through adhd with my son and he is now 16. Do not let it get later and later and him sleeping later in the morning. that's just changing his schedule not his lack of need for sleep. good luck.

my son was diagnosed at 2 he did not sleep,we took shifts because of him i was drinking alot of coffee and mini thins to keep awake.he also had odd.i know all to well what these kids are made of overly chrged batteries hha.what is he taking if it is ok to ask.keep doing the same bed time keep consistant ,i was a real stickler for him to go to bed 8:00pm up all night i put a tv in his room vcr and he could watch it as long as he stayed in his room all night they put him on benedryl for sleep it is safe hes been on it 15 yrs now .consistancy is number one if he gets out of room put him back its alot of work be patient .look at the dosage for benedrl and give to him half hr before bed my son is on two at night this is the only thing that worked all the other wound him up more hope this helped

I was diagnosed with ADHD when i was 7 years old. I am now 24 . My meds kept me sick at my stomach all the time, I not saying meds are bad they just were not right for me! But i struggled with sleeplessness for a a while and my mother found it easier to get me to sleep if she played with me (tickled, got me running, and really ampted up for about 15-30 mins then gave me a few mins to calm down and gave me a little bit of milk . she would then sit with me right before bed and talk or give a story or just calm talking in bed... i fell right asleep !!!!! Patience is the best thing for those with ADHD! I promise its just as frustraing for us thats why alot of kids with it have behavioral problems ( its hard for a kid to express frustration in a calm way with words . they tend to act it out. lots of luck to you hope this helps!!!!!!!