clonodine Insomnia?!

[Ehello]

after trying a couple of stimulants, we have decided to keep our 4 year old on Guanfacine IR 2x a day. He currently takes 1/2 a pill at breakfast and lunch. This seemed to have the most positive effects on his mood and symptoms compared to Adderall and Ritalin.

He really struggles at school with aggression and impulsiveness- we needed immediate redlined from this behavior for him to stay in school.

We noticed he was having difficulty staying asleep at night, despite melatonin. So, his psychiatrist prescribed 0.1mg of clonodine at bedtime - this knocks him out at bedtime, but the. He’s awake for HOURS in the middle of the night.. sometimes ALL night!! And then wired the next day still.

Now his behavior is back to impulsive and aggressive - I assume from not sleeping. I would be angry too if I was not sleeping..

We have tried cutting out Guanfacine to see if he sleep better, but nope. Tried adding in a low dose of hydroxyzine at bedtime, and nothing helped?!?

At a loss. Appointment with psychiatrist is tomorrow but I’m at my wits end. Somebody tell me I am not crazy!

[Kikimonkey]

Hi My daughter was taking 2 mg of Granfacine Er in the morning before school The er version is supposed to cover for 24 hours however it did not for her She woke up every morning at 3 am and didn't go back to school Doctor split the dose 1 mg at 7:30am and 1 mg at 5:30 pm It worked!!!! She no longer wakes up at that time I am not sure that we are at the right dose as it seems to wear off after a few weeks in the day

[adoptivemom]

My 8yo son has been on clonidine (taken at bedtime with generic Abilify) and sleeps great. I also give him 1mg of melatonin. We had tried it in the daytime but he was too tired which made him extra grouchy. At bedtime it's been amazing!!

We have had 2-3 nights over the last year where he just can not sleep. The insomnia makes us both crazy. I have not been able to figure out what causes those fluke nights, but thankfully they're rare. They are enough to make me thoroughly appreciate his normal routine.

I hope you are able to figure out something that will work. Sleep is precious.