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Suggest Treatment When Diagnosed With RLS And Sleep Disorder
Question: My seven year old grandson has been diagnosed with RLS and sleep disorders. He was put on an adult medication by a dr after a sleep study. A new dr took over for the first dr, and tapered him off of the med, thinking it was to strong for him. Before the med, my grandson developed behavior problems. After the med, his behavior went back to great. He began the med at age five and taken off of it at age seven. His behavior is now steadily getting worse. He gets so frustrated and cries easily. I cannot find any information of what to do for him. The results of his recent sleep study won't be in for four to six weeks. Please help!
Brief Answer:
Need to recognize the root cause of this first.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thankyou for asking here.
Since you have told that he is diagnosed with RLS .I want to confirm it first that do you mean ( restless leg syndrome).
For the sleep disorder and behaviour problem ,I would like to suggest that first you rule out ,since when he is getting these problems? Is your child is undergoing some stress or witnessing some parental issues or anything which is bothersome for him?
sleep disorders can be associated with some behaviour related syndromes ,which are more common in boys .To pin point that diagnose or to clear my doubts first I would like to ask some question,which could help me more to clarify you.
1.What medicines he is taking,as some medicines can cause side effects related to behaviour changes?
2.Does he have twiching problem like involuntary blinking of eyes,or sudden arm or leg movements or anything absurd he does suddenly?
3.Since when he is getting sleep problem?
4.How is he in studies?
5.Has he history of restlessness or hyperactivity or decreased attention in class etc?
6.Does he has habbit of repeating any sentence or words?or abusing?
7.Do you have any other family member ,who is having any kind of behavioural problem?
Knowing more about his history ,it will be helpfull to clear my doubts and I can suggest you accordingly.
Regards,
Dr.Maheshwari
Need to recognize the root cause of this first.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thankyou for asking here.
Since you have told that he is diagnosed with RLS .I want to confirm it first that do you mean ( restless leg syndrome).
For the sleep disorder and behaviour problem ,I would like to suggest that first you rule out ,since when he is getting these problems? Is your child is undergoing some stress or witnessing some parental issues or anything which is bothersome for him?
sleep disorders can be associated with some behaviour related syndromes ,which are more common in boys .To pin point that diagnose or to clear my doubts first I would like to ask some question,which could help me more to clarify you.
1.What medicines he is taking,as some medicines can cause side effects related to behaviour changes?
2.Does he have twiching problem like involuntary blinking of eyes,or sudden arm or leg movements or anything absurd he does suddenly?
3.Since when he is getting sleep problem?
4.How is he in studies?
5.Has he history of restlessness or hyperactivity or decreased attention in class etc?
6.Does he has habbit of repeating any sentence or words?or abusing?
7.Do you have any other family member ,who is having any kind of behavioural problem?
Knowing more about his history ,it will be helpfull to clear my doubts and I can suggest you accordingly.
Regards,
Dr.Maheshwari
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Neel Kudchadkar
His diagnosis is PLMD. His problems started when he was an infant. When he became a toddler, he would rock and rock back and forth to try to get to sleep. They also diagnosed him as ADHD and put him on meds for that. He was on no medication when all of the sleeping problems began. He has no twitching problems. His studies were fine, while on sleep medication. No problems this school year. He has only been in school a couple of weeks. He doesn't seem to repeat sentences. He is not abusive. Some other family members on both of his parents' side have had ADHD. Two that I know have had restless leg syndrome. Thanks for getting back with me.
Brief Answer:
Sleep problems are very common with ADHD.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Dear ADHD and behavioral problems may be inter related so the sleep problems.
Many children with these problems may get rid of these problems with team work of school teachers, parents and counselors. With medicines, family and counselor support may be very useful. Family support may be in form of encouraging and giving more attention and less scolding. There are professional counselors who help children understand their behavior and make them relax ,it may help in improving sleep problems also.
Hopefully I answered your question, please let me know ,if I need to clear it more.
Regards.
Sleep problems are very common with ADHD.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Dear ADHD and behavioral problems may be inter related so the sleep problems.
Many children with these problems may get rid of these problems with team work of school teachers, parents and counselors. With medicines, family and counselor support may be very useful. Family support may be in form of encouraging and giving more attention and less scolding. There are professional counselors who help children understand their behavior and make them relax ,it may help in improving sleep problems also.
Hopefully I answered your question, please let me know ,if I need to clear it more.
Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
I agree with your response, and that is pretty much being done. The teacher, parents, and sleep specialist are all on the same page. I still think that since my grandson started this at an infant age, there has to be another reason for his sleepless nights. Do you have any recommendations of vitamins or other supplements that could help him sleep without being so restless? Thank you.
Brief Answer:
Supplements may cause more harm if given in excess.
Detailed Answer:
Hi again.I understand your concern. Since vitamin deficiency has no relation with this type of problem, I wouldn't be very keen to start vitamin supplements here.
Genetic and environment are among the most common factors. And luckily many children have been improved by the time of teen age. They start to think more logically and start to help themselves by controlling their thoughts and behavior. So counselling and self help are among the most helpful factors.
Regards
Supplements may cause more harm if given in excess.
Detailed Answer:
Hi again.I understand your concern. Since vitamin deficiency has no relation with this type of problem, I wouldn't be very keen to start vitamin supplements here.
Genetic and environment are among the most common factors. And luckily many children have been improved by the time of teen age. They start to think more logically and start to help themselves by controlling their thoughts and behavior. So counselling and self help are among the most helpful factors.
Regards
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
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