My kids and I have been back on doxy for a couple of weeks. They are really having a hard time getting to sleep. They are anxious and "don't feel safe". (my 14y/olds words)
My 9y/old is the worst. She crys, she tells me her head and stomach are killing her and she feels like she has a fever(but doesn't). She does sweat a lot during this time of night. I am up with her again tonight, I am assuming this is part of her herxing. I am getting pretty tired. We all need some relief and a good nights sleep to begin healing.
If you have any ideas or things that have worked for you I am willing to try anything!!
Thanks in advance!
Posted by Ruth Ruth (Member # 11059) on :
I'm hoping others with more experience with children will come along, but here are some remedies off the top of my head...
Sleepytime tea? Not sure if it is ok for kids. My sister uses Banuba drops from Nutramedix with her kids (chamomile extract). Antihistamines. Valarian root.
Posted by locdog (Member # 10372) on :
I know its just another pharmy and it's not good all the time but valium works like a charm!
Posted by map1131 (Member # 2022) on :
I would try the health food store and ask for advice on sleep for kids. Also have them start reading books they are interested in at bedtime. If natural remedies don't work, talk to doctor.
Reading in bed may help take their mind off their aches and pains and relax their mind.
Sleeping is a major key to feeling better.
Pam
Posted by sixgoofykids (Member # 11141) on :
Valerian root is good for anxiety, it's much like valium. It didn't help me sleep, but my lack of sleep was not from anxiety ... sounds like your children's may be. Check with your doctor before giving your kids herbs.
You might look into homeopathic sleep/anxiety meds. Homeopathic are usually quite safe.
Posted by listenswithcare (Member # 10719) on :
I love to have a hot epsom salt bath before bed. Always helps put me to sleep.
If there is pain in stomach, though - perhaps that needs to be addressed. More probiotics, digestive enzymes, Saccromyces B. all help me.
Sorry your family is having such a hard time. Sounds like a little panic going on too - "need to feel safe".
Take care Robin
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Melatonin....but it may not be safe for kids. I agree with Pam that checking at a health food store is a good place to start.
Posted by ldfighter (Member # 9405) on :
Not as powerful as meds - lavender oil, can't hurt. You can try putting a few drops of essential oil of lavender on a cotton ball and leave it by pillow. Used to help me somewhat.
Posted by ByronSBell 2007 (Member # 11496) on :
I have good success with getting to sleep by taking a baby dose of seroquil (25mg) and then I get in bed early and surf around the internet on my laptop while in bed, eventually I get tired and just lay the computer on the floor and crash.
Also, try an epsom salt bath followed by a shower. This can really make me tired but feel good as well. It gets toxins out, magnesium relaxes the body and muscles. But taking one of these baths everynight may not be good for you...
Posted by LMC3495 (Member # 12879) on :
I have a friend that gives Melatonin to her 3 year old to help her sleep. She swears by it.
Posted by MonaVox (Member # 12956) on :
Is it possible everyone is herxing at bed time because of the timing of the medication?
I was on mino and had trouble sleeping until my dosage was adjusted and I took it at a different time of day.
Posted by ByronSBell 2007 (Member # 11496) on :
That could be... I know when I am herxing I can give up on sleeping
Posted by Dave6002 (Member # 9064) on :
Insomnia is due to inflammation in the brain.
One TSp of Cat's Claw seems help my insomnia immediately; I can sleep 5 to 6 hours straight.
Posted by Ruth Ruth (Member # 11059) on :
Dave6002, In what form are you taking the cat's claw? Powder, decoction or tincture? What source/brand/potency? Thanks!
Posted by savebabe (Member # 9847) on :
How about benedril(sp?).
My llmd told me to take this when I have a hard time sleeping.
Posted by listenswithcare (Member # 10719) on :
Yes, at night I take benedryl. Also, melatonin (1mg).
Posted by Dave6002 (Member # 9064) on :
RuthRuth,
I take one tsp of Cat's Claw powder from Starwest Botanical with one glass of water.
Dave
Posted by lou4656 (Member # 10300) on :
Robin -- I am also a fan of the hot epsom salt bath. And I put 10 drops of lavendar oil in the water. Works every time for me.
Posted by Sharp A (Member # 12570) on :
You are all great!!
I moved her (my 9y/o) last medication time up to late afternoon. She doesn't seem to get as sick with it at that time of day. She is now taking the doxy mid meal with lots of water.
She actually slept last night, only waking twice. She was able to go back to sleep pretty quickly both times.
I also bought some benadryl to have on hand just in case.
My 14 y/o is also sleeping much better.
I think we are out of the woods with this one...keep your fingers crossed.
Patricia
Posted by Ruth Ruth (Member # 11059) on :
That is awesome! I'm sure your daughter is happier too! I will dance in celebration with you.
Posted by randibear (Member # 11290) on :
second the melatonin.
for me, i try to stay away from meds and over the counter. you can just never tell how i'm going to react.
but 1.5 mg of melatonin works just fine and you can get it a wallie world or anyplace. cheap too...
Posted by Marnie (Member # 773) on :
Tryptophan is low.
It is needed to make serotonin which converts to melatonin to help us to fall asleep.
Bb NEEDS tryptophan. Bb can NOT grow in gelatin which contains many amino acids EXCEPT tryptophan.
Catch is...we need tryptophan too.
In addition...Bb has a gene for C-acetyltransferase.
It is depleting that enzyme.
That enzyme is needed to make acetylcholine.
Melatonin is needed for NREM sleep (when we make memories) and acetylcholine is needed to make proteins during REM sleep. Non rapid eye movement (NREM) and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep.
Sleep begins with NREM sleep...melatonin first. During the night we go back and forth between these two neurotransmitters. Melatonin - acetylcholine - melatonin - acetylcholine...NREM -REM - NREM - REM...
Melatonin is a major antioxidant. Bb is depleting our #1 major antioxidant, glutathione because Bb has "zinc fingers" which are cysteine and histidine bound to zinc. (So does HIV). This is disasterous. Our major antioxidant is kapoot.
It takes glutathione to make several of our other antioxidants work...vitamin A, E, C and selenium...
Glutathione comes from cysteine , glycine and glutamate. Bb is depleting the first 2.
Too much oxidative stress!!! Not enough antioxidants and antioxidant enzymes.
Oxidative stress ALONE triggers NFkB which triggers TNF alpha and Il 1 beta...ongoing.
RESTORE THE ANTIOXIDANTS.
***Research Pycnogenol - in depth! Dosage and timing matters...a LOT.***
Our bodies function on a circadian rhythm...certain things happen at very specific times.
Between 4 and 5 pm our oxygen intake increases 15%.
Double edge sword.
While we NEED oxygen (and Bb only wants a LITTLE), oxygen -> too many free radicals. Most are lone oxygen molecules.
Disease AND aging damage is the result of TOO MUCH oxidative stress. Too many "free radicals".
This damages our DNA ("H" shaped amino acid chains linked by hydrogen)and damages our mitochondria - powerhouses of our cells.
If you want to know what is high and what is low in lyme (and other diseases)...ultimately...
B6 also reduces hyperprolactemia...but B6 works with Mg and Bb has a "Mg transporter" gene...Bb would prefer Mg NOT be attached to ATP as Mg-ATP.
Bb is substituting Mn...manganese.
In lyme, too little ATP is being made. cAMP comes from ATP...too little cAMP...cAMP is needed by glucagon and adrenaline "messages" to go into the cells. By themselves, they are "too big" to go into the cells. cAMP is the "helper".
Then...too little alkaline phosphatase.
Watch where I put ***
Posted by JRachel11 (Member # 12891) on :
I'm 19, but I am really small because I have gastroparesis from the Lyme..so I am sure whatever I take (dose wise) is safe for your kids, I take the same doses as my own 10 year old sister...
Without sleep meds, the most sleep I get is 20 minutes a night. Like you, my mom was getting pretty frustrated staying up with me
Have you tried Ambien?? Lunesta?? Rozerem?? Those worked great for me the first few months, but lost effectiveness quickly. I am now taking Clonozapam, which works pretty well... .5mg at bedtime, I also have Trazadone that I take when that doesnt work.
![[bow]](graemlins/bow.gif)
![[spinning smile]](graemlins/spinsmile.gif)
I will dance in celebration with you.
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