[CFMummy]

My DD1 will be 5 in a few weeks and is starting school in feb. She has been having sleep issues for months now. Took her to the Dr today as it needs sorting before school starts. She has suggested Phenergan as an aid for 1-2 weeks to try and adjust her body clock.

Has anyone used it for this and did it work am open to other suggestions

[2 Gorgeous Girls]

I haven't used it as a sleep aid but when my DD takes it she can't physically stay awake.

It's not something I'd use, even as an antihistamine, without my Dr's advice (which you obviously have)

I have heard it can have the opposite effect on children and send them hyper though?

[amabanana]

I personally wouldn't use it for that long! 1-2 weeks seems excessive.
DD1 has awful trouble with sleeping (always has) and we've found using a relaxation guide on the iphone the best way to get her to sleep. I would try natural remedies before resorting to Phenergan!

eta If you have a compounding chemist nearby they can make up a natural sleep aid. That was our next port of call (on advice from DD's psych) if the mindfulness meditation didn't help.

Other things that help are making sure that there is wind down time and relaxation before bed, dimming lights, blacking out the bedroom or using a sleep mask, having a regular rising time (even on weekends) and getting bright sun into her eyes on waking (helps reset the clock). Some people say a drop of lavender on the pillow can help but that just makes me sneeze!



This post has been edited by amabanana: 02/01/2013, 03:27 PM

[lsolaBella]

My kids on antihistamines don't get drowsy ( discovered hives all over DS1s body one night while getting ready for bed).

Yes I would trial it under Dr advice, but be aware some kids don't get drowsy.

As an adult I take antihistamines for a bit when I can't sleep.

[twinboys]

Have a chat to your pharmacist as there are several drowsy type of antihistamines that are very similar to Phenergan.

Are there any other issues with her health?

You can also get on prescription Melatonin which is a naturally occurring hormone which helps with sleep cycles.
it is expensive but it does work. You need to get it from a compounding pharmacy.

Other things can help like bedding some kids (especially ASD kids) respond really well to having weighted blankets, I know in summer it is tricky but a little bit of pressure on her may help her to stay asleep.

[Tigerdog]

I've only used it when needed for allergies etc, however my doctor recommended Painstop night-time formula (with antihistamine) for DS1 who is currently having night terrors (not that often but on the last occasion it was for 3 nights straight, none of us got any sleep for those nights so doctor suggested using it on he fourth night). Also good for teething to stop pain and let everyone get some sleep! The chemist was really reluctant to give Painstop to me over the counter though, so make sure you get a script for whatever you go with.

This post has been edited by Tigerdog: 02/01/2013, 03:27 PM

[Alacritous~Andy]

Yes, I have with DS under the guidance of a paed after having been to sleep school etc.

I was VERY reluctant.

We used it for five nights. Worked brilliantly and saved my sanity.

[lsolaBella]

Tigers of -painstop wold be combined antihistamine plus codeine probably making drowsy.

[EBeditor]

My dr recommended it for DD when she was having sleep problems, however it just made her hyperactive and she only slept for 4 hours before waking up again.

Worth a try though, IMO. (If used under doctor's orders).

[cinnabubble]

My older daughter used Painstop Nighttime on and off from the ages of two to five on doctor's advice for a condition not related to her sleep. She was a sh*t sleeper on drugs and a sh*t sleeper off drugs. She still woke at night (sometimes on multiple occasions) when using the Painstop.