Night Terrors... What to do???

SchoolGirlHeart · Post by **SchoolGirlHeart** » July 14, 2008 3:01 pm

We had to just wait it out....

But our sons' night terrors weren't as frequent as your's seems to be. One thing that might be worth checking on is if he's developed an kind of food allergies (mine was allergic to red dyes and they made him hyper until he outgrew it) or if he's getting extra sugar or caffeine in his diet.

Lightning Bolt · Post by **Lightning Bolt** » July 14, 2008 3:08 pm

This sounds like something for a health professional...

ph4ever · Post by **ph4ever** » July 14, 2008 3:10 pm

Is there any new stress in the family? Has River been sick? Does anyone in the family (grandpaarents etc) have a history of night terrors or sleepwalking?

Because he's had it so many in such a short time, I think the best thing to do is call your pediatrician.

Brown Eyed Girl · Post by **Brown Eyed Girl** » July 14, 2008 3:14 pm

My nephew had them too, although I think he finally outgrew them. I know he had one a year ago when they were out here visiting, which was right before he turned 6. It was just something he had to outgrow, but they were pretty much a nightly thing for a couple of years for him.

Mottola-Buffett · Post by **Mottola-Buffett** » July 14, 2008 3:15 pm

SchoolGirlHeart · Post by **SchoolGirlHeart** » July 14, 2008 3:18 pm

Mottola-Buffett wrote:
Lightning Bolt wrote:This sounds like something for a health professional...
I've considered taking him to the Dr., and still might do it, but I have a feeling I know what he's going to say:

Keep a consistent bedtime routine
Don't let him get over-tired or worked up before bedtime
Make sure he doesn't eat too much right before bed
Cut sugar from his diet
Is he stressed about something?
Do you give him any medications?

I hate to sound cynical... I'm just not sure what the Doc can do for him?
Someone on-line suggested Mega-Vitamins and Omega vitamins, which we promptly went out and bought. River, of course, won't take them... spit them out and even caught us trying to slip them into his food and drinks.
As you see, though, I'm open to any and all ideas.

I agree that's likely what the doc will say/do, but at least you'd have the peace of mind of a quick check to make sure nothing physical is going wrong.

Chamomille tea maybe? (who knows, might even help...

)

Mottola-Buffett · Post by **Mottola-Buffett** » July 14, 2008 3:19 pm

popcornjack · Post by **popcornjack** » July 14, 2008 3:20 pm

I can't think of anything real different to add as to how to treat them, but from persoanl experience of having them (though not as frequently as your son--mine were more like one every 4-6 weeks) they were something I just evetually outgrew and they didn't make me tired. I never knew I was having them, wouldn't remember them the next day, didn't know my parents came into my room, nothing. I'd be asleep the whole time.

SharkOnLand · Post by **SharkOnLand** » July 14, 2008 3:21 pm

I just found this website: http://www.nightterrors.org/

Bunch of other people who have suffered... Sounds like sometimes anti-depression medication can help.

Or maybe just spike his juice before bedtime?

(kidding. really.)

ph4ever · Post by **ph4ever** » July 14, 2008 3:23 pm

If I'm not mistaken, in certain cases kids are given small doses of anti-depresants (not that I agree with that). I've also heard that they can be a precursor to RLS. I'd talk to the doctor and get it on his medical records. It could be your taking the pacifier away but I for sure wouldn't let him have it back, perhaps the doctor can suggest a different outlet for when he's stressed?

Mottola-Buffett · Post by **Mottola-Buffett** » July 14, 2008 3:24 pm

ph4ever · Post by **ph4ever** » July 14, 2008 3:25 pm

Mottola-Buffett wrote:
SharkOnLand wrote:I just found this website: http://www.nightterrors.org/

Bunch of other people who have suffered... Sounds like sometimes anti-depression medication can help.

Or maybe just spike his juice before bedtime? (kidding. really.)
If only there were sleeping pills for children (and 12 hour ones at that!). I know that's not a "correct" method of thinking, but it sure would be a blissful thing (for sleep-deprived parents, that is).

my ex MIL would tell you benadryl or Melatonin - but this comes from a lady that's a walking pdr & drugstore

popcornjack · Post by **popcornjack** » July 14, 2008 3:28 pm

I took melatonin for a while a few years ago. Helped me sleep but f****d up my dreams pretty well. Not necessarily nightmares, but every dream I had while I was taking it had a very ominous feel to it, like something bad was going to happen in them at any moment. (Ironically enough, same thing happens when I drink gin.

)

Skibo · Post by **Skibo** » July 14, 2008 3:30 pm

And to top it all off, he then bounces into our room at 6:20am demanding to watch cartoons and eat breakfast.

of course, won't take them... spit them out and even caught us trying to slip them into his food and drinks.

These two issues sound like behavioral problems and not the night terror thing. Who's in charge anyway?

rednekkPH · Post by **rednekkPH** » July 14, 2008 3:30 pm

Ether?

buffettbride · Post by **buffettbride** » July 14, 2008 3:34 pm

I would definitely say see a doctor, unless you feel confident trying a myriad of self-diagnosis tricks.

Even if the answer is "wait it out," there could be a host of suggestions that could help ease it, and it is possible that outgrowing it IS the answer.

However, the tie between food allergies/intolerances and sleep disturbances is huge--and not just sugar. Some people have problems with gluten/wheat, dairy, artificial flavoring, food dyes, soy, etc. and they all can cause sleep disturbances and daily behavioral changes.

When I look back at the symptoms my daughter had for Celiac Disease, I can definitely say her sleep problems were related to it. Once she went gluten-free, her sleep troubles resolved. She was a sleep walker/talker/super-deep sleeper/nightmares and would get the awful leg cramps/growing pains during sleep as well. Those all resolved w/ a gluten-free diet. When she does ingest gluten accidentally, she has a very restless week because those things all pop up again.

I'm not sayin' your 'lil guy has Celiac Disease--just sayin' that it is worth talking to a doctor about. If you're afraid the doctor will just give you the run around, ask questions that are more specific, i.e. "What kind of sleep problems can result because of food allergies or intolerances."

On the other hand, from time to time my son who is also 4 will have a very crying/whiney night. I wouldn't exactly say they are night terrors, but his sleep troubles are usually a sign he is coming down with something. We went through it about 2 weeks ago, and he ended up with an awful case of strep.

So, my advice is "could be something. could be nothing. see a doctor. use common sense."

I'm not one to mega-dose kids w/ vitamins but mine do take a daily vitamin each and my daughter (11) takes an additional calcium, vitamin d, and b12 supplement because she tends to become deficient in those rather easily.

buffettbride · Post by **buffettbride** » July 14, 2008 3:36 pm

rednekkPH wrote:Ether?

Silly Frankie. It's all about the Nyqil.

rednekkPH · Post by **rednekkPH** » July 14, 2008 3:40 pm

buffettbride wrote:
rednekkPH wrote:Ether?
Silly Frankie. It's all about the Nyqil.

Nyquil - $6.00

Can of starting fluid and an old washcloth - $1.97

Hey, we're not all making those big Qwest bucks, ya know...

buffettbride · Post by **buffettbride** » July 14, 2008 3:43 pm

rednekkPH wrote:
buffettbride wrote:
rednekkPH wrote:Ether?
Silly Frankie. It's all about the Nyqil.
Nyquil - $6.00

Can of starting fluid and an old washcloth - $1.97

Hey, we're not all making those big Qwest bucks, ya know...

It's not like I'm tossing money around. I almost always buy store-brand.