My 10 year old son is also taking Concerta. I give him 1 mg of Melatonin in the evening so that he can fall asleep earlier and easier. There doesn't seem to be alot of research rearding the effects of Melatonin on childrenand our pediatirician was relucatant to encourage it without more knowledge. We decided to use it given the following:

My sister in law's pediatrician recommended it for her daughter who was having sleep/anxiety issues. A leading neuropsychologist in our area said she recommends it for her patients. A friend and family physician who is conservative on the meds issue (tried homeopathy and behavior therapy for her son for 2 years prior to trying medication) gives it to her child. Try Googling melatonin and adhd. There is a Web MD article which references a 2003 study .

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I would talk to the pediatrician for this to be safer. My child has a hard time going to sleep too.

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I would check Melatonin out. This is what I found out. My sons Dr. recommended it & I asked my uncle in-law who is a pharmasist - It does something to the reproductive organs and for boys it can cause damage to there scrotum. He had always told people it was okay because it has been around for years & everyone used it. But now he tells everyone NOT TO TAKE IT. I have also heard that from other people as well. My son was taking Concerta and he didn't eat either. We are now on our 3rd change of meds. So far nothing is working (still a work in progress) but he gained 25 POUNDS!!!!!! He looks great. For the sleeping we have him take a hot shower and I give him a body rub with lotion which seems to relax him & I also play a relaxing cd for meditation. It does get to be much at night when everything is going on but it does help. Tried reading to him @ night but it got him to think or imagination did not relax him he stayed up. If I forget he will stay up ALL night. So PLEASE check out Melatonin & remember that just because something is "natural" or has been used for ages does not mean that it is safe. Good luck & I hope our experiences help.

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Seroquil, Seroquil, Seroquil what a lifesaver

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I am on ADHD medication. I have to exercise for at least a half hour, or I don't go to sleep very well. If your child has time right after school to go for a run or just play vigorously for at least a half hour, I think sleep will come easier. I've also been letting my boys stay up later, in their rooms, playing quietly or reading. Putting together Legos, sorting football cards, putting together Bionicles, etc. No music and no noise that I can hear below them from the living room. It takes the pressure off of them that they should be sleeping, and they can get in bed or just lay down when they feel tired. The best thing is lots of activity to use up the energy. It's not always possible, but when the weather is just perfect for sledding, they stay out for an hour and more. They get to sleep so quickly on those nights. I also have to be careful about what time I take my second pill. I pretty much can't get to sleep until at least 12 hours after I take my second pill. I was prescribed a third pill, but sleep wouldn't come. My son only takes one pill aroudn 7:00 AM, but he still has trouble falling asleep. He takes Adderall XR. He has always had trouble getting to sleep, even before meds.

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My son who's 10 takes 0.2 MG of Clonidine at 7:30pm and will be asleep by 8:30. He has always had problems sleeping since he was a baby. The Clonidine has been a blessing.

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My son 8 year old has never slept - and I mean NEVER! Even as a newborn he rarely slept. Did not sleep through the night until about the age of 5 & was still always up at dawn. Has also always had tantrums due to frustration from a speech disorder. After much hesitation from us we gave in to medication - his neurologist presecribed Clonidine over a year ago. He currently takes 0.15 mg. We saw immediate results which were like night & day. Little to no tantrums & he gets good solid sleep each night.

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