Concerta working great but causing insomnia

Log in / Sign Up

List of Forums + New Post Recipe Box Usergroups Following My Posts Bookmarks

Private Messages Advanced Search Rules New User Guide FAQ Advertise Contact Us

Forum -> Parenting our children -> Our Challenging Children (gifted, ADHD, sensitive, defiant)

View latest: 24h 48h 72h

amother

Wed, Dec 07 2022, 5:25 pm

After many frustrating different drugs and dosage trials we found that Concerta 36 mg er with Clonidine/guaficine at night is working great. Problem is my dd can’t fall asleep! She was up past midnight last night! (She’s only 7) help!! Any ideas how to help her fall asleep?

bcb

Wed, Dec 07 2022, 6:10 pm

Maybe she has to take it earlier in the morning?

amother

Amaryllis

Wed, Dec 07 2022, 6:16 pm

amother OP wrote:

My 6 1/2 yr old son is on Vyvanse and I have the same issue! I give him melatonin and he falls asleep super late!

bwaybabe85

Wed, Dec 07 2022, 7:02 pm

Melatonin

amother

Viola

Wed, Dec 07 2022, 7:18 pm

Is the child taking it first thing in the morning? If not, they need to. It wears off after 10-12 hours(according to my doc but im on it, and feel it happening for years). It actually helps me sleep because of the kind of "come down" effect when it wears off but it needs to be taken at the right time. Otherwise maybe look into other sources of insomnia(looking at devices before bed, books, etc. Proper sleep hygiene is critical for ADD/ADHD).

amother

Viola

Wed, Dec 07 2022, 7:19 pm

Wait I just reread, taking Concerta AT NIGHT? Of course they can't sleep! Who suggested that? It doesn't work at night.

amother

Yarrow

Wed, Dec 07 2022, 7:23 pm

amother Viola wrote:

Wait I just reread, taking Concerta AT NIGHT? Of course they can't sleep! Who suggested that? It doesn't work at night.

I'm guessing it's only the Clonidine/guaficine at night.

fiji

Wed, Dec 07 2022, 8:23 pm

Op here. We do Clonidine/ guaf at night and concerta first thing in the morning. We give 3 mg melatonin but it hasn’t been helping.

amother

Razzmatazz

Wed, Dec 07 2022, 10:42 pm

Insomnia is another symptom of her adhd. It has been years we are dealing with this with no end in sight.
It shoukdnt be caused by the concerta unless the dosage is too high (36 mg does sound a lot for a 7 yo, but I am no professional). I would consult with psyhcatrist, maybe she still needs some med adjustments.

amother

DarkPurple

Wed, Dec 07 2022, 11:42 pm

My DD is 9 and is on the same dose. We have the same problem. I’m giving her 3 mg of melatonin which kind of helps somewhat. I also let her read, color, etc. as long as she’s in bed. Helps her calm down.

amother

Red

Wed, Dec 07 2022, 11:54 pm

I wake my son at 6 to swallow the concerta and he goes back to sleep. (this might not work for all kids but it's worth a try.)
The neurologist at the sleep clinic at Hadassa Ein Kerem says that melatonin for ADHD needs to be given like this: An hour before ideal bedtime, give 0.5mg, then give 0.5mg every twenty minutes until the child starts to visibly slow down, when you see that give 1mg and put them into bed with no distractions. No book, no music, if they are sensory give a massage and tuck them in tight. Since we started doing this, he falls asleep at 9 - 9:30, it is still on the later side but doable. He was awake with melatonin until 2 or 3am before this.

amother

Apple

Wed, Dec 07 2022, 11:56 pm

amother Razzmatazz wrote:

There are definitely people for whom the side effects of the meds last much longer than the desired ones, and keeping them awake is a real part of it. You can definitely try others. Another thing people do is not use a time release, and give meds throughout the day.

amother

Canary

Thu, Dec 08 2022, 12:02 am

We had very similar with my son. Different morning medication, but similar issues. We now do clonodine at night along with extended release melatonin. Now it’s a lot better.

ETA: also, completely dark room with absolutely nothing there other than clothes.

amother

Yarrow

Thu, Dec 08 2022, 6:32 am

Try magnesium in addition to the melatonin 30 min to han hour before bedtime.

Page 1 of 1