Have you tried melatonin its a herb that is good at helping people sleep.

Those that have seizures or children that do and take many medicines
find that this is a good thing for them to sleep with.

I know of some families that kids take as much as 10mg at night to get
that sleep. But usually even just a 3mg pill works.

Donna

Thanks for the suggestion and yes we have tried that. My youngest daughter uses it on a period basis and it helps her tremendously. It has not helped my oldest daughter.

Okay, with the headaches and sleep problem. You might ask her doctor
if he would consider the amtrypilline. It is also good for migraines. And
it sometimes helps tbi for some cases.

My middle son used it for many years. When we didn't even realize he
had any tbi. Or how serious they had or could be.


It really is a debiltating disorder of its own.

Donna

Magnesium can be helpful with sleep issues.

I take Neurontin to help my mind and body settle down so I can sleep. I used to take 600 mg 1 hour before bed. Now, I need 750 mg. It has almost no side effects. It has an eight hour half life so it does not stay in the body very long.

Magnesium should not be taken at the same time as Neurontin.

My wife has also used the "sleepy time" teas. They work.

Why can't magnesium and neurotin be at the same time? I have a magnesium powder on order that should arrive in a day or so. The magnesium/calcium/zinc supplement I had previously tried hasn't helped.

She won't drink tea - I have some of that too.

I've used a really low dose of neurotin in the past for knee pain/sleep issues. It worked pretty well in conjunction with my volteran. It's been one I've been considering asking about since it is supposed to help improve "deep" sleep. I thought it might also help with the headaches.

Another thought for sleep....do you have access to an I-Pod and/or I Tunes? If so, maybe she could put together a list of songs that are relaxing to her. This helped my daughter. She said she visualized herself "floating away" on the notes. I just went through my daughter's "sleepy time" play list:

Jack Johnson, Frank Sinatra (?who knew?), Dean Martin, Beatles, Colbie Caillat, etc.

PCSLearner has a good point.

I have a few CD's that help me get to sleep. They have a tempo that appears to match my body rhythm. The one that works best for me is a light jazz by Diana Krall called "The Look of Love." Her other cd's do exactly the opposite.

If your daughter can find the right tempo and such, she may be able to get to that deep sleep she needs.

The Neurontin might help her sleep, as I said, just done mix it with the magnesium. The magnesium will counter act the Neurontin.

Years ago, my neurologist tried a drug called Periactin (cyproheptadine). It is an anti-histamine that he thought would help me sleep. In my case, it made me very depressed and I had to stop after just one dose.

Then there is the old standby Benadryl. Ask her doctor first.

I also use food to help me sleep. My best if peanut butter on toast or crackers. I add some cinnamon to it. The cinnamon helps prevent blood sugar spikes. She could have some crackers with peanut butter with a glass of milk. The tryptophan in the milk can help too.

Just know that she is not alone. Insomnia is a common problem.

Hi, I take 40gm of nortryptiline and 7.5 gm zopilcone at night and sleep reasonably well if I am not over tired going to bed. I always have me bedside radio on snooze as it will always block out other minor irritating noises.

With your daughter Nancy you might want to listen for her stating things like "I can't be bothered" - I was saying that a lot and was thinking that I was lazy until I realised that I was actually too tired to be doing what I considered I "should" or could be doing.

My psychologist said to me " oh Lynlee all these things that you have to do!" It was like a light turning on in my head when what she meant dawned on me.

Another of her favourite sayings to me - what would you be saying to a friend if she was you. So often I have to remind myself of this.

In other words, let your daughter take as much time as she needs and tell her not to put any pressure on her self - pressure brings on stress and tiredness and then lack of sleep. Keep reminding her that she is young and will get better.

Lynlee

Wow, Lucy I like those last comments.

How is she doing Nancy

Donna

Donna - Thanks for asking. She doing ok. She has times were you see a brief passing glimmer of her previous spark. She was smiling and joking a little with her old PE teacher when I picked her sister up from school. That was encouraging. We went in the she the psychatric ARNP that we use for medications (my youngest has adhd) to get her trazodone prescription today and she thought she seemed a little better. I also think she was more comfortable with her as it was the second time she saw her. She'll ask in the evenings about going to school - but is too tired when the next day rolls around. She started the trazodone tonight to help improve her sleep. I've got my fingers and toes crossed and am saying extra prayers - so hopefully it works. As always, thank you everyone for the support.