Concerta - can't fall asleep

[rosierobinross]

My son has been on Concerta 36mgs for two weeks. Doing well during the day on it. He takes it at 8 am. Last night he went to bed at 11 and only fell asleep at 5 am. He said his mind just won't let him sleep. We do not have many choices of meds here only Concerta 18mgs, 36mgs and Ritalin LR 20 mgs. He was thinking to ask the neuroligist to try the Ritalin LR as it may not effect his sleep so much. We tried melatonin last week two hours before bed but he doesn't think it did much. Any suggestions on the sleep issue? Maybe he should set his alarm for 6 am and take it? Is there something he could take at bedtime to let his mind and body settle down? He is 20 years old, 6'4" and 190 pounds. Before the Concerta he could sleep like the dead, we used to go in there sometimes to take a pulse, I think his record sleeping time once was 24 hours. Thanks

[catseye]

Hi rosierobinross- My sd was on clonodine, a very small dose (as it is normally for high blood pressure) .05 mg at night... Wiped her out... IF your dr chooses that particular medication, your son will probably have to have an ekg done first, or at least sd did...

DOH! Just looked at the age and size of your boy... Now that is a big boy! Over a foot taller than me... LOL

I think his dr should be able to help this issue... Good luck

cat

[finnmom]

Hi Rosierobbinross

My ds has been on 18mg Concerta on schooldays from last december. At the first he had some trouble falling a sleep, but that got better in about 2-3 week´s and now there is no problem anymore.

He found music very calming, said it helped him not to think so much But mine is only 9y so too many thought´s may interrupt him easier than your´s

At ds case it got better very soon, so could you just see how it goes, about 2 week´s or so, if it´s working great othervice Good Luck!!

[AnneM]

Hi Rosierobinross ... As Marja says this can be a problem to start with ... as the person gets used to the new medication ... but this SHOULD improve within a few weeks. You said your son has only been on this for two weeks so it is very early days. However, if the problem persists or is particularly bad (and 5.00 a.m. IS pretty late!) it might well be worth enquiring about something to help him sleep!...

GOOD LUCK!!

[camismom]

Hi Rosie!

You said you tried the Melatonin and it didn't help much? How much was he taking? At 20 years old he can probably take the highest dosage. Check with a doctor or maybe a pharmacist to see what the highest dose he can take is. Another thing I have heard of parents giving is Benadryl. I know that stuff wipes me out cold. Also I recommend trying some calming music to help him settle down some. As hard as it is for us to understand, music helps our ADHDrs concentrate better. Cami has a CD she plays every night while she falls asleep. It has beach sounds, outdoor sounds like crickets and owls and such, a creek with trickling water, rain falling, etc. You can probably find one at your local music store.

These are a few things he can try while he waits for his body to adjust to the new med.

I hope he finds something that works. Keep us posted.

[rosierobinross]

Thanks, yes it is two weeks today he is on the Concerta. He is waiting for a call from the neuroligist to get some advise. Last night same thing again. He did play his stereo softly as I thought this was a good idea. He took some Cal/Mag around 9 pm and then 2 x .1mg melatonin and a cup of warm Sleepytime herbal Tea right before bed at 11:30 but still did not go to sleep until 4 am. He also was very careful not to touch any caffeine as he had been drinking Ice Tea before. I think he did get up easier this morning as when I called the house around 11 he was well up and alert so maybe he did sleep more than he thought. I think he just needs a bit more time. He also has so many thoughts and emotions at the moment..... I will keep you posted Thanks