Re: sleep issues! Help!!!!

March 25, 2006

try benadryl first. its otc so it cant be harmful, our dr. said it was

okay and it works for us.

stamtorch@... wrote:

>

> I thought I was able to deal with this but things are getting worse. Any

> and all advice is welcome.

>

> Birgitta has had sleep issues for ever now. I have tried all sorts of

> sensory interventions (brushing, pressure, weighted blankets, swings,

> etc.).

> I have tried several visits to the naturopath and a variety of

> remedies and

> homeopathy.

> We have tried lights on, lights off and total darkness, music,

> sleeping with

> her in the bed, sleeping in a crib, sleeping on Mom, you name it..... we

> have tried it.

>

> She continues to wake constantly. Once I get her to sleep she is

> typically

> up within 2 hours. I might get her to go back to sleep but she then

> starts

> waking almost every hour and getting her back to sleep takes longer as

> the

> night passes.

>

> Needless to say I am growing very TIRED of this routine. And it seems

> to be

> getting worse as she has given up naps most days and wakes more often.

> She

> is getting much harder to get back to sleep.

>

> She wakes and starts to rock violently, banging her head as a hard as she

> can into the sides of the crib. Sometimes she begins by simply lifting

> her

> head up and allowing it to fall or slamming it back down while still

> lying down.

> This is followed by sitting up and the head banging. She will

> occasionally

> stand, go to the edge of the crib and then throw her body down against

> the

> side. This is how she chipped her tooth.

>

> I will pick her up and she spins her body in my arms. It is like

> trying to

> hold a big fish out of water. She will bang her head against my

> shoulders and

> chest and kick her legs. Her eyes stay shut during this. Most times she

> will take a bottle, that I hold for her and she will go from drinking

> bottle,

> turning so I hold her upright, bang against me a few times, back to

> position

> for more bottle, then upright and banging. She does this for several

> rounds

> and then suddenly will be content to be held on my shoulder. I pad her

> back

> firmly while she drifts off to sleep again. If I stop patting her back

> before

> she is in a deep sleep she lifts her head to bang against my shoulder.

> Once

> she is in a deep sleep I put her down only to have her wake an hour

> later to

> start the routine all over again.

>

> I have tried padding her crib but she will bang even harder and looks

> like

> she is going to give herself whiplash by the way she throws her head

> around.

> Not to mention that she starts to cry and gets more wild.

>

> She will be four, is still as small as a 24 month old (thankfully or I

> would

> be so beaten up)! And behaves about the same as a 6 month old (except she

> can walk).

>

> I did not want to medicate her because her brain is so fried as it is

> with

> all of her issues. However, I do not see how her brain can learn or

> how she

> can grow without getting decent sleep. Not to mention that I am really

> feeling it lately without getting sleep myself. I am turning into a

> zombie woman.

>

> We tried melatonin and nothing! I am starting to think I might ask for

> something more. My fear is that she would have an adverse effect and I

> will then

> go off the deep end!!!!!

>

> OK all of you experienced, intelligent folks.... HELP. Any advice is so

> very welcome. I am off to make another pot of coffee (I thank God for

> that

> stuff)

>

> Blessings, W

> in CT

> homeschooling Mom to AJ (12), (8), ^l^,

> (5,

> Trisomy 18 mosaic AKA 's syndrome) and Birgitta (age 3, adoption

> finalized 2/1/05 !!, Trisomy 21 AKA Down's Syndrome, Fetal Alcohol

> Syndrome,

> Autism, SID)

>

> ************************************** AOL now offers free email to

> everyone.

> Find out more about what's free from AOL at http://www.aol.com.

> <http://www.aol.com.>

>

March 25, 2007

In a message dated 3/25/2007 11:05:50 AM Eastern Daylight Time,

christine1223@... writes:

try benadryl first. its otc so it cant be harmful, our dr. said it was

okay and it works for us.

Again, my fear is that adverse effect. I know several folks who tried it

but it made their children wild and not sleep. One child was up for 48 hours!

That would totally send me over the edge. I barely get any sleep now.

I will have to wait until DH can take a day or two off work but I will try

anything with the hope of a few hours of sleep.

Thanks.

Blessings, W

in CT

homeschooling Mom to AJ (12), (8), ^l^, (5,

Trisomy 18 mosaic AKA 's syndrome) and Birgitta (age 3, adoption

finalized 2/1/05 !!, Trisomy 21 AKA Down's Syndrome, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome,

Autism, SID)

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March 25, 2007

have you tried a warm epsom salts soak before bed or put a little lavender

oil her warm bath water and you can actually combine the salts and lavender

oil in one bath. How much of the melatonin were you giving her? Maybe it

wasn't enough. You could also try chamomile tea or that sweet dreams herbal

tea.

Not sure of the age so check with your doctor or pharmacist. Also you

could try a little warm milk before bed as well. One thing I know with Trisha

is

if she is active right before bed she has a harder time sleeping, so we try

to make sure she has quiet time for about an hour before bed. Hope this

helps.

Carol

Trishasmom

She isn't typical, She's Trisha!

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March 25, 2007

In a message dated 3/25/2007 11:04:02 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time,

christine1223@... writes:

try benadryl first. its otc so it cant be harmful, our dr. said it was

okay and it works for us.

any drug can be harmful if given too much of it. Make sure you follow the

directions for your child's age and weight. Also, for some people benadryl

makes them more hyper so go slow and stop taking if you see it adversely

affecting her.

Carol

Trishasmom

She isn't typical, She's Trisha!

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March 25, 2007

" I thought I was able to deal with this but things are getting

worse..... in CT "

I wish I had the answer for you. Keep in mind (as you hear a lot on

this group), take care of YOU first! You have to get rest in order to

function for your kids. Have you tried making sure Birgitta is full,

dry, and in a safe place and blocking her in for a little while so you

get a break? How long does she bang herself around? Does she ever calm

herself? Do you think you giving her physical input helps? We realize

sometimes Janie needs a little time alone to reduce excess stimulation

that she can't deal with. There is nothing she can really get hurt on

in her bedroom. Her dresser is tethered to the wall and everything. We

use a baby gate on her door so she can see out and put her in there

for quiet time. She used to do a lot of the head banging just like you

describe and even would head butt with the back of her head right into

your chin or chest if you tried turning her away. I'm sure you know it

hurt!!! I was so worried she would seriously hurt herself, but the

ped. told me she wouldn't. Anyway, without meds she never would have

stopped. Now when she starts pinching a lot or hitting (herself or

others) I put her in her room because she and we need to be safe and

she usually does whatever she needs to calm down and find her " nice

hands " . You probably feel helpless as I did because you can't comfort

her and can't understand why she does it. Yes, Birgitta has a lot of

challenges, but sometimes the chemical imbalances are helped with

chemicals that neutralize them. My guess is that there is a better

chance at this point that medication would help than that it would

cause her further damage. Maybe it is time to try. I hope you don't

take offense at these suggestions. I pray you find the answer for your

sweet girl. Please take care.

P.

March 25, 2007

In a message dated 3/25/2007 4:59:13 PM Eastern Daylight Time,

pastmidvale@... writes:

Has anyone suggested an ENT evaluation and possible sleep apnea exam? I

know the sleep apnea test will be very difficult but perhaps the ENT will

see something wiithout the S/A test.

It seems this is going to be the route I am going to take. I am going to

find an ENT (hopefully on our plan) and make an appointment. That seems the

least invasive way to begin.

Blessings, W

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March 25, 2007

The good thing about Benadryl is that it is easy to adjust the liquid dose.

If the effect is hyperactivity, it wears off in about 4 hours.

Elie's doctor also told me to use Benadryl so that I could sleep when he was

sleeping 2-4 hour a WEEK. Her reasoning was the samae that we say on this

list often - You cannot care for others if you are so worn out.

Sara - Choose to make lemonade, not complain about the lemons.

>From: Csvillars@...

>Reply-To:

>To:

>Subject: Re: sleep issues! Help!!!!

>Date: Sun, 25 Mar 2007 11:46:25 EDT

>

>In a message dated 3/25/2007 11:04:02 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time,

>christine1223@... writes:

>

>try benadryl first. its otc so it cant be harmful, our dr. said it was

>okay and it works for us.

>

>any drug can be harmful if given too much of it. Make sure you follow the

>directions for your child's age and weight. Also, for some people

>benadryl

>makes them more hyper so go slow and stop taking if you see it adversely

>affecting her.

>

>Carol

>Trishasmom

>She isn't typical, She's Trisha!

>

>************************************** AOL now offers free email to

>everyone.

> Find out more about what's free from AOL at http://www.aol.com.

>

March 25, 2007

Has anyone suggested an ENT evaluation and possible sleep apnea exam? I

know the sleep apnea test will be very difficult but perhaps the ENT will

see something wiithout the S/A test.

We didnt think or know to ask for one for years. Elie had adenoids which

were blocking his throat when he slept. HE awoke screaming and thrashing

several times a night - often after 10 minutes of deep, deaad sleep. Scary,

I know.

Sara - Choose to make lemonade, not complain about the lemons.

>From: stamtorch@...

>Reply-To:

>To: ,

>homeschoolinganddownsyndrome ,

>4AdoptFASD

>Subject: sleep issues! Help!!!!

>Date: Sun, 25 Mar 2007 10:57:42 EDT

>

>I thought I was able to deal with this but things are getting worse. Any

>and all advice is welcome.

>

>Birgitta has had sleep issues for ever now. I have tried all sorts of

>sensory interventions (brushing, pressure, weighted blankets, swings,

>etc.).

>I have tried several visits to the naturopath and a variety of remedies and

>homeopathy.

>We have tried lights on, lights off and total darkness, music, sleeping

>with

>her in the bed, sleeping in a crib, sleeping on Mom, you name it..... we

>have tried it.

>

>She continues to wake constantly. Once I get her to sleep she is

>typically

>up within 2 hours. I might get her to go back to sleep but she then

>starts

>waking almost every hour and getting her back to sleep takes longer as the

>night passes.

>

>Needless to say I am growing very TIRED of this routine. And it seems to

>be

>getting worse as she has given up naps most days and wakes more often.

>She

>is getting much harder to get back to sleep.

>

>She wakes and starts to rock violently, banging her head as a hard as she

>can into the sides of the crib. Sometimes she begins by simply lifting her

>head up and allowing it to fall or slamming it back down while still lying

>down.

> This is followed by sitting up and the head banging. She will

>occasionally

>stand, go to the edge of the crib and then throw her body down against the

>side. This is how she chipped her tooth.

>

>I will pick her up and she spins her body in my arms. It is like trying

>to

>hold a big fish out of water. She will bang her head against my shoulders

>and

>chest and kick her legs. Her eyes stay shut during this. Most times she

>will take a bottle, that I hold for her and she will go from drinking

>bottle,

>turning so I hold her upright, bang against me a few times, back to

>position

>for more bottle, then upright and banging. She does this for several

>rounds

>and then suddenly will be content to be held on my shoulder. I pad her

>back

>firmly while she drifts off to sleep again. If I stop patting her back

>before

>she is in a deep sleep she lifts her head to bang against my shoulder.

>Once

>she is in a deep sleep I put her down only to have her wake an hour later

>to

>start the routine all over again.

>

>I have tried padding her crib but she will bang even harder and looks like

>she is going to give herself whiplash by the way she throws her head

>around.

>Not to mention that she starts to cry and gets more wild.

>

>She will be four, is still as small as a 24 month old (thankfully or I

>would

>be so beaten up)! And behaves about the same as a 6 month old (except she

>can walk).

>

>I did not want to medicate her because her brain is so fried as it is with

>all of her issues. However, I do not see how her brain can learn or how

>she

>can grow without getting decent sleep. Not to mention that I am really

>feeling it lately without getting sleep myself. I am turning into a zombie

> woman.

>

>We tried melatonin and nothing! I am starting to think I might ask for

>something more. My fear is that she would have an adverse effect and I

>will then

>go off the deep end!!!!!

>

>OK all of you experienced, intelligent folks.... HELP. Any advice is so

>very welcome. I am off to make another pot of coffee (I thank God for

>that

>stuff)

>

>Blessings, W

> in CT

>homeschooling Mom to AJ (12), (8), ^l^,

>(5,

>Trisomy 18 mosaic AKA 's syndrome) and Birgitta (age 3, adoption

>finalized 2/1/05 !!, Trisomy 21 AKA Down's Syndrome, Fetal Alcohol

>Syndrome,

>Autism, SID)

>

>************************************** AOL now offers free email to

>everyone.

> Find out more about what's free from AOL at http://www.aol.com.

>

March 25, 2007

In a message dated 3/25/2007 2:43:32 PM Eastern Daylight Time,

mzdaisee@... writes:

Yes, Birgitta has a lot of

challenges, but sometimes the chemical imbalances are helped with

chemicals that neutralize them. My guess is that there is a better

chance at this point that medication would help than that it would

cause her further damage. Maybe it is time to try. I hope you don't

take offense at these suggestions.

No offense taken at all. I truly appreciate all the help and advice.

I agree, that it may be time to try something chemical.. I just wanted to

put that last ditch effort out there in case someone else had any other ideas

that I had not yet tried. But I am not against medication if it will help

her sleep which should allow her to perform better in the day time.

Blessings, W

in CT

homeschooling Mom to AJ (12), (8), ^l^, (5,

Trisomy 18 mosaic AKA 's syndrome) and Birgitta (age 3, adoption

finalized 2/1/05 !!, Trisomy 21 AKA Down's Syndrome, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome,

Autism, SID)

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March 25, 2007

In a message dated 3/25/2007 10:08:20 PM Eastern Daylight Time,

liz.desantis@... writes:

We used liquid Melatonin for Tori for quite a long time and it was a

lifesaver.

Thanks Liz. Is there a difference in how a body would react to liquid Vs a

crushed up pill or capsule? I tried the capsule with Birgitta and did not

get good results.

Blessings, W

in CT

homeschooling Mom to AJ (12), (8), ^l^, (5,

Trisomy 18 mosaic AKA 's syndrome) and Birgitta (age 3, adoption

finalized 2/1/05 !!, Trisomy 21 AKA Down's Syndrome, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome,

Autism, SID)

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March 25, 2007

: We used liquid Melatonin for Tori for quite a long time and it was a

lifesaver. Tori could be up 22 out of 24 hours and still keep going.

Liz

sleep issues! Help!!!!

I thought I was able to deal with this but things are getting worse. Any

and all advice is welcome.

Birgitta has had sleep issues for ever now. I have tried all sorts of

sensory interventions (brushing, pressure, weighted blankets, swings, etc.).

I have tried several visits to the naturopath and a variety of remedies and

homeopathy.

We have tried lights on, lights off and total darkness, music, sleeping with

her in the bed, sleeping in a crib, sleeping on Mom, you name it..... we

have tried it.

She continues to wake constantly. Once I get her to sleep she is typically

up within 2 hours. I might get her to go back to sleep but she then starts

waking almost every hour and getting her back to sleep takes longer as the

night passes.

Needless to say I am growing very TIRED of this routine. And it seems to be

getting worse as she has given up naps most days and wakes more often. She

is getting much harder to get back to sleep.

She wakes and starts to rock violently, banging her head as a hard as she

can into the sides of the crib. Sometimes she begins by simply lifting her

head up and allowing it to fall or slamming it back down while still lying

down.

This is followed by sitting up and the head banging. She will occasionally

stand, go to the edge of the crib and then throw her body down against the

side. This is how she chipped her tooth.

I will pick her up and she spins her body in my arms. It is like trying to

hold a big fish out of water. She will bang her head against my shoulders and

chest and kick her legs. Her eyes stay shut during this. Most times she

will take a bottle, that I hold for her and she will go from drinking bottle,

turning so I hold her upright, bang against me a few times, back to position

for more bottle, then upright and banging. She does this for several rounds

and then suddenly will be content to be held on my shoulder. I pad her back

firmly while she drifts off to sleep again. If I stop patting her back before

she is in a deep sleep she lifts her head to bang against my shoulder. Once

she is in a deep sleep I put her down only to have her wake an hour later to

start the routine all over again.

I have tried padding her crib but she will bang even harder and looks like

she is going to give herself whiplash by the way she throws her head around.

Not to mention that she starts to cry and gets more wild.

She will be four, is still as small as a 24 month old (thankfully or I would

be so beaten up)! And behaves about the same as a 6 month old (except she

can walk).

I did not want to medicate her because her brain is so fried as it is with

all of her issues. However, I do not see how her brain can learn or how she

can grow without getting decent sleep. Not to mention that I am really

feeling it lately without getting sleep myself. I am turning into a zombie

woman.

We tried melatonin and nothing! I am starting to think I might ask for

something more. My fear is that she would have an adverse effect and I will

then

go off the deep end!!!!!

OK all of you experienced, intelligent folks.... HELP. Any advice is so

very welcome. I am off to make another pot of coffee (I thank God for that

stuff)

Blessings, W

in CT

homeschooling Mom to AJ (12), (8), ^l^, (5,

Trisomy 18 mosaic AKA 's syndrome) and Birgitta (age 3, adoption

finalized 2/1/05 !!, Trisomy 21 AKA Down's Syndrome, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome,

Autism, SID)

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March 25, 2007

: Tori had absolutely NO reactions to the liquid. I buy it at our local

Health Food Store. If they don't carry it, they can order it. NATROL makes it.

Liz

Re: sleep issues! Help!!!!

In a message dated 3/25/2007 10:08:20 PM Eastern Daylight Time,

liz.desantis@... writes:

We used liquid Melatonin for Tori for quite a long time and it was a

lifesaver.

Thanks Liz. Is there a difference in how a body would react to liquid Vs a

crushed up pill or capsule? I tried the capsule with Birgitta and did not

get good results.

Blessings, W

in CT

homeschooling Mom to AJ (12), (8), ^l^, (5,

Trisomy 18 mosaic AKA 's syndrome) and Birgitta (age 3, adoption

finalized 2/1/05 !!, Trisomy 21 AKA Down's Syndrome, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome,

Autism, SID)

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March 26, 2007

Hi ,

You said you would do anything right? Ready for some reading and hear my

opinion?

I understand exactly where you are coming from with the chemicals for anyone who

experiences FASD.

You've mentioned seen by a Holistic, etc.. Has a Candida yeast overgrowth

cleanse & Colon cleansing been done, detox ?

What worked for my grandson, still not tested but suspect some of the symptoms

and had 3 of my Great-neices (8,6,3 y/o) living with me during the summer all

with possible FAS due to their mom always under the influence of drinking and

doing heavy drugs when she was pregnant with all 3 of them and my

ex-daughter-in-law did the same during her first trimester. None dx with Down

syndrome.

All coming along doing wonderful with the GF/CF diet, eliminate all sugar, white

flour, wheat, dairy, color dye, MSG, limit red meat,etc.

This is where the allergist/Immuonolgist will run some test to see if there are

any food allergies/sensitivity,etc.

Is it the the pollen, dustmites, mold, dander,etc.

http://www.nasal-allergies.com/nasx/application

http://www.autismwebsite.com/ari-lists/danus.html

http://www.danasview.net/parent3.htm

www.tacanow.com/pdf/KIRKMANBOOK.PDF

http://www.radionetherlands.nl/features/science/fas020910.html

Nutritional Interventions for Children with FASD

http://www.come-over.to/FAS/FASDnutrition.htm

http://www.autismone.org/radio/

You do have a lot on-going issues, hope you find something for the headbanging

in the mean time.

The mystery of what is going on, prayers you will seek some help.

Pressure above ears, feeling of head swelling, recurrent infections or fluid in

ears, burning or tearing of eyes, teethgrinding, constipation, etc. any signs of

this?

I would definitely rule-out any medical/illness.

Child seen by the ENT, an allergist/Immunologist, dentist, then a sleep study.

Thought I share what I would do which I have found very helpful sort of figuring

more or less the underlying medical issues going on.

The Allergist/Immunologist will figure out which meds in the mean time to seek

with some follow-up bloodwork for the liver issues, etc.

Irma,18,DS/ASD

Re: Re: sleep issues! Help!!!!

In a message dated 3/25/2007 2:43:32 PM Eastern Daylight Time,

mzdaisee@... writes:

Yes, Birgitta has a lot of

challenges, but sometimes the chemical imbalances are helped with

chemicals that neutralize them. My guess is that there is a better

chance at this point that medication would help than that it would

cause her further damage. Maybe it is time to try. I hope you don't

take offense at these suggestions.

No offense taken at all. I truly appreciate all the help and advice.

I agree, that it may be time to try something chemical.. I just wanted to

put that last ditch effort out there in case someone else had any other ideas

that I had not yet tried. But I am not against medication if it will help

her sleep which should allow her to perform better in the day time.

Blessings, W

in CT

homeschooling Mom to AJ (12), (8), ^l^, (5,

Trisomy 18 mosaic AKA 's syndrome) and Birgitta (age 3, adoption

finalized 2/1/05 !!, Trisomy 21 AKA Down's Syndrome, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome,

Autism, SID)

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March 26, 2007

In a message dated 3/25/2007 10:38:36 PM Eastern Daylight Time,

liz.desantis@... writes:

: Tori had absolutely NO reactions to the liquid. I buy it at our

local Health Food Store. If they don't carry it, they can order it. NATROL

makes it.

Thanks, Liz.

Blessings, W

in CT

homeschooling Mom to AJ (12), (8), ^l^, (5,

Trisomy 18 mosaic AKA 's syndrome) and Birgitta (age 3, adoption

finalized 2/1/05 !!, Trisomy 21 AKA Down's Syndrome, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome,

Autism, SID)

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March 26, 2007

In a message dated 3/26/2007 2:03:47 AM Eastern Daylight Time,

ICANFIELD@... writes:

You said you would do anything right? Ready for some reading and hear my

opinion?

Of course I am ready

But geez, Irma couldn't you have just said " maybe she needs some extra vit

c " or something simpler? LOL

I know what you are talking about and I really hope I don't have to go that

route but I am willing to do it. I have a call into the naturopath, am

checking out the ENT's and she was recently to the dentist.

Boy, who said life was easy.....and I am not complaining, just would like a

little break, just a little one.

Blessings, W

in CT

homeschooling Mom to AJ (12), (8), ^l^, (5,

Trisomy 18 mosaic AKA 's syndrome) and Birgitta (age 3, adoption

finalized 2/1/05 !!, Trisomy 21 AKA Down's Syndrome, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome,

Autism, SID)

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March 26, 2007

, sounds like you have tried so many things, bless your

heart. with , when he is having a hard night, I have tried so

many things too. sometimes whispering in ear, sometimes just letting

him fall asleep and not even trying to " put " him to sleep works,

sometimes not. sometimes a massage works, mostly with him the foot

massage with lotion is great, I have done this forever to calm him

and it has worked, but not when it is really bad. I find lately if

he seems too wild, I try to just keep calm and just watch tv or read

so I can " stay " calm and then just wait. I think when he is having

a hard time it is the " trying " to put him to sleep that is what he

for some reason cannot tolerate. I wonder, is the liquid melatonin

the time released kind? I know they make it. , I feel for you

and really hope things get better, mom somehow, you have to sleep.

doesnt it seem Birgitta would just be so worn out she would just

have to sleep eventually. I think of this with , does she ever

catch back up with her sleep? , you are in my prayers, maybe

tonight is the night, let us know, Dawn

>

> I thought I was able to deal with this but things are getting

worse. Any

> and all advice is welcome.

>

> Birgitta has had sleep issues for ever now. I have tried all

sorts of

> sensory interventions (brushing, pressure, weighted blankets,

swings, etc.).

> I have tried several visits to the naturopath and a variety of

remedies and

> homeopathy.

> We have tried lights on, lights off and total darkness, music,

sleeping with

> her in the bed, sleeping in a crib, sleeping on Mom, you name

it..... we

> have tried it.

>

> She continues to wake constantly. Once I get her to sleep she is

typically

> up within 2 hours. I might get her to go back to sleep but she

then starts

> waking almost every hour and getting her back to sleep takes

longer as the

> night passes.

>

> Needless to say I am growing very TIRED of this routine. And it

seems to be

> getting worse as she has given up naps most days and wakes more

often. She

> is getting much harder to get back to sleep.

>

> She wakes and starts to rock violently, banging her head as a hard

as she

> can into the sides of the crib. Sometimes she begins by simply

lifting her

> head up and allowing it to fall or slamming it back down while

still lying down.

> This is followed by sitting up and the head banging. She will

occasionally

> stand, go to the edge of the crib and then throw her body down

against the

> side. This is how she chipped her tooth.

>

> I will pick her up and she spins her body in my arms. It is like

trying to

> hold a big fish out of water. She will bang her head against my

shoulders and

> chest and kick her legs. Her eyes stay shut during this. Most

times she

> will take a bottle, that I hold for her and she will go from

drinking bottle,

> turning so I hold her upright, bang against me a few times, back

to position

> for more bottle, then upright and banging. She does this for

several rounds

> and then suddenly will be content to be held on my shoulder. I

pad her back

> firmly while she drifts off to sleep again. If I stop patting

her back before

> she is in a deep sleep she lifts her head to bang against my

shoulder. Once

> she is in a deep sleep I put her down only to have her wake an

hour later to

> start the routine all over again.

>

> I have tried padding her crib but she will bang even harder and

looks like

> she is going to give herself whiplash by the way she throws her

head around.

> Not to mention that she starts to cry and gets more wild.

>

> She will be four, is still as small as a 24 month old (thankfully

or I would

> be so beaten up)! And behaves about the same as a 6 month old

(except she

> can walk).

>

> I did not want to medicate her because her brain is so fried as it

is with

> all of her issues. However, I do not see how her brain can learn

or how she

> can grow without getting decent sleep. Not to mention that I am

really

> feeling it lately without getting sleep myself. I am turning into

a zombie woman.

>

> We tried melatonin and nothing! I am starting to think I might

ask for

> something more. My fear is that she would have an adverse effect

and I will then

> go off the deep end!!!!!

>

> OK all of you experienced, intelligent folks.... HELP. Any advice

is so

> very welcome. I am off to make another pot of coffee (I thank

God for that

> stuff)

>

> Blessings, W

> in CT

> homeschooling Mom to AJ (12), (8), ^l^,

(5,

> Trisomy 18 mosaic AKA 's syndrome) and Birgitta (age 3,

adoption

> finalized 2/1/05 !!, Trisomy 21 AKA Down's Syndrome, Fetal

Alcohol Syndrome,

> Autism, SID)

>

> ************************************** AOL now offers free email

to everyone.

> Find out more about what's free from AOL at http://www.aol.com.

>

March 26, 2007

In a message dated 03/26/07 19:14:04 Eastern Daylight Time, DPLigon@...

writes:

, you are in my prayers, maybe

tonight is the night, let us know, Dawn

Oh, I hope so Dawn! Thank you for the prayers and support.

I just love this list, you have all been so helpful.

Blessings, W

in CT

homeschooling Mom to AJ (12), (8), ^l^, (5,

Trisomy 18 mosaic AKA 's syndrome) and Birgitta (age 3, adoption finalized

2/1/05 !!, Trisomy 21 AKA Down's Syndrome, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, Autism, SID)

March 27, 2007

,

One thing that came to mind when I was reading your post....Have you ever tried

wrapping her in a big blanket like they do with newborns? Maybe this would help

with the thrashing and at the same time calm her down. Now, how to do this when

she has already started the process? You would need to get her arms wrapped

also. Just an idea.

Holly