Sleep Issues

Sleep patterns are typically not normal for SLOS kids. Many parents have noted distinct patterns in sleep around the full moon or allergy related disruptions. This is one of the harder facets of parenting as sleep deprivation hurts the whole family and is noteasily remedied. In some cases the children can go days and nights on end with little to no sleep. Many families are wakened nightly for one or more hours. While some families use massage to calm the children before bed others have resorted to using medications to help. What follows is a list of medications commonly used.

• Benadryll
• Claritin (for snoring)
• Nasonex (for snoring)
• Zyrtec (allergy medication causes drowsiness; caused screaming in some)
• Risperdal (also used for behvior)
• Clonidine: Lower doses than used for blood pressure. Can be dulling and not recommended for long term use.
• Nitrazapam
• Clonazepam
• Hydroxazine
• Diazepam
• Cyproheptadine (sleeping pill)
• Seroquel
• Trazodone
• Chloralhydrate (caused violence in some)
• Ropinirole hydrochloride (typically used for Parkinsons; small dose, 1mg, relaxes)
• Sabril
• Atarax
• Melatonin (affects absorption of cholesterol and not recommended) It is unknown exactly how melatonin lowers cholesterol levels. Evidence points to a higher rate of conversion from cholestrol to bile acids, which the bile then excretes. Using melatonin as a sleep aide is usually given in doses of less than 3mg, much less than the doses that would cause this minor effect.