Guest guest Posted July 28, 2004 Report Share Posted July 28, 2004 Hello all, My daughter Ellen (7, DS/Autism) has had sleep problems for several years - waking up 2-4 times per night, insisting that someone lay down with her until she falls asleep, finding trouble before finding us if she wakes up, etc... We had her on Benadryl (for post-sinus surgery) as well as melatonin for a while, and are still using the melatonin. While on the nightly Benadryl dose, she woke up fewer times. The melatonin by itself only seems to help her get to sleep initially, but doesn't reduce the frequency of night disturbances. We just got her to the point of sleeping without overnight diapers, and I am afraid that if I start her on Benadryl again, we will lose ground on the overnight potty training bit. So - question 1: has anyone noticed problems with Benadryl hampering potty training? Question 2: have any of you tried a different approach (different medication or something) to sleep problems? Question 3: does the sleep problem go away or improve with age or any kind behavior modification training? Thank you all so much! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 28, 2004 Report Share Posted July 28, 2004 Have you considered a sleep study? We found that the waking up sleep issue pretty much disappeared after T & A surgery. We do have issues about GOING to sleep but not staying asleep. We use Benedryl when Elie goes away to camp to help him get to sleep. At home, he is a " sundowner " in that he cannot eat dinner until it is dark outside and cannot sleep until about 2 hours after he eats. Makes for LONG nites in the summer. In the winter it is much better. Sara _________________________________________________________________ Express yourself instantly with MSN Messenger! Download today - it's FREE! http://messenger.msn.click-url.com/go/onm00200471ave/direct/01/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 29, 2004 Report Share Posted July 29, 2004 Hi , My Rochelle had the sleep problems for about a year. We changed her diet and I made sure she stayed in her bed when she woke up. It took a week of sleep deprived state. It was very difficult but worked. She still has bad nights once in a while. Usually when she gets cold (air conditioner), (hot) or sick. We were ready to put her on medication but never ended up doing it. At on point I even put her on the potty everytime she got up and she hated that. I am glad we don't have to lay with her till she falls asleep. We tried music and nightlight but she does not require these anymore. I had to be really firm which is hard to do when you want to sleep. Good luck, I know you need your sleep. It is a common problem and quite stressful. I wish Rochelle was potty trained. She just turned eight. It is very difficult because she does not talk or try to communicate. She goes everytime she is on the potty. We just went to underwear. She has dry days and wet days. Any advice on this would be appreciated. Diane in VA > Hello all, > > My daughter Ellen (7, DS/Autism) has had sleep problems for several > years - waking up 2-4 times per night, insisting that someone lay down > with her until she falls asleep, finding trouble before finding us if > she wakes up, etc... We had her on Benadryl (for post-sinus > surgery) as well as melatonin for a while, and are still using the > melatonin. While on the nightly Benadryl dose, she woke up fewer > times. The melatonin by itself only seems to help her get to sleep > initially, but doesn't reduce the frequency of night disturbances. We > just got her to the point of sleeping without overnight diapers, and I > am afraid that if I start her on Benadryl again, we will lose ground > on the overnight potty training bit. > > So - question 1: has anyone noticed problems with Benadryl hampering > potty training? Question 2: have any of you tried a different > approach (different medication or something) to sleep problems? > Question 3: does the sleep problem go away or improve with age or any > kind behavior modification training? > > Thank you all so much! > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 29, 2004 Report Share Posted July 29, 2004 remember to keep her potty times on a schedule, the exact same times each day and her bladder will kick in to this. nahtan wasnt potty trained until around 9yrs, and over the last year or so we even have dry nights, no more pull-ups, but we still keep some handy. Another thing we use to do and do now if he does have an accident is he has to wash up, and help clean up his mess, thus instills cleanlyness/hygeine and figures out that its much easier to use the toilet than have to shower and change clothing etc. Stick with it, it will come. shawna Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 29, 2004 Report Share Posted July 29, 2004 i agree the sleep study is very important, after we found out nathan had horrible sleep apnea, an dhe got put ona cpap machine, he goes to sleep no problem anymore, with in a few minutes after that cpap mask goes on, rather weird-- no if we could just get him to leave it on ALL nite, he would be fine, he does good anywhere from a couple hours to around 5or 6 hours a nite, i keep reminding him to leave it on unitl his scooby clock goes off, but his last eval to up the pressure, they said he reemoves it in his sleep so its not intentional. shawna. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 29, 2004 Report Share Posted July 29, 2004 we occasionally give nathan benedryl if he is very hyper from a movie outing etc to help him get to sleep and it hasnt hindered his night time potty training. As for the age thing, i think he understand more, so its not such an issue, for eg: he knows to stay in his room, and watch his tv or play toys, and if he is hungry he has learned to come and get me instead of downing all the milk and juice or bread. We still have a baby monitor in his room so we can hear him, but he seems to be more independent with age, and more trustworthy. shawna Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 30, 2004 Report Share Posted July 30, 2004 Thanks everyone for the advice on pottying. a I do need to do a consistant schedule. I just kind of put her on at typical times like after eating or drinking. The school is not consistant either. I do think she doesn't void everything each time. She holds back some for later. Her moods determine what she does. If she is bored or mad then I can expect accidents. If she has a pee pee accident and I scold her then she will immediately do a bm on the toilet. She tries to please. As for the communication piece, Rochelle is prompted to use pictures but will never let us know when she has to go. I know she is ready because she is dry through the night if we put her on right before bed and right when she gets up. Thanks again. Diane > remember to keep her potty times on a schedule, the exact same times each > day and her bladder will kick in to this. nahtan wasnt potty trained until > around 9yrs, and over the last year or so we even have dry nights, no more > pull-ups, but we still keep some handy. Another thing we use to do and do now if > he does have an accident is he has to wash up, and help clean up his mess, thus > instills cleanlyness/hygeine and figures out that its much easier to use the > toilet than have to shower and change clothing etc. Stick with it, it will > come. shawna > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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