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!
-------------------- Every victory, no matter how small, deserves to be celebrated. Please excuse me while I do a little dance. Posts: 25 | From North Carolina | Registered: Jul 2007
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posted
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.
-------------------- When I lost my grip on Faith in the maze of illness, Hope gently clasped my hand and led on.
RuthRuth Posts: 478 | From California | Registered: Jan 2007
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posted
I know its just another pharmy and it's not good all the time but valium works like a charm!
Posts: 40 | From AZ | Registered: Oct 2006
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map1131
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 2022
posted
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
-------------------- "Never, never, never, never, never give up" Winston Churchill Posts: 6478 | From Louisville, Ky | Registered: Jan 2002
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posted
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.
-------------------- sixgoofykids.blogspot.com Posts: 13449 | From Ohio | Registered: Feb 2007
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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.
Posts: 621 | From US | Registered: Jun 2006
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ByronSBell 2007
Unregistered
posted
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...
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I have a friend that gives Melatonin to her 3 year old to help her sleep. She swears by it.
Posts: 22 | From Texas | Registered: Aug 2007
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posted
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.
Posts: 17 | From MD | Registered: Aug 2007
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ByronSBell 2007
Unregistered
posted
That could be... I know when I am herxing I can give up on sleeping
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Dave6002
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 9064
posted
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.
Posts: 1078 | From Fairland | Registered: Apr 2006
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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
-------------------- Every victory, no matter how small, deserves to be celebrated. Please excuse me while I do a little dance. Posts: 25 | From North Carolina | Registered: Jul 2007
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That is awesome! I'm sure your daughter is happier too! I will dance in celebration with you.
-------------------- When I lost my grip on Faith in the maze of illness, Hope gently clasped my hand and led on.
RuthRuth Posts: 478 | From California | Registered: Jan 2007
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randibear
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 11290
posted
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...
-------------------- do not look back when the only course is forward Posts: 12262 | From texas | Registered: Mar 2007
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Marnie
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 773
posted
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 ***
Posts: 9424 | From Sunshine State | Registered: Mar 2001
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posted
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.
Best of luck!
Posts: 29 | From New York | Registered: Aug 2007
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