Night Terrors

[buttercup_97140]

Well, it appears Spencer has night terrors. He has had three episodes thus far, and the first two we thought were from gas or something ailing him in the night. Those didn't last terribly long, but last night he woke around 2am and was pulling at his ears and not happy so I gave him some meds to help him sleep. He fell asleep pretty easily and then he woke up screaming at around 4:30am and was thrashing and screaming like crazy in my arms. He didn't want me to let him go or not hold him, but nothing helped. It took him about an hour and a half to stop screaming and thrashing and once he stopped he was snoring like nothing had happened. I was able to put him back to bed without problems and he slept until 10:30. He was as happy as can be but a bit tired when he woke. He usually wake around 7:30 so it wore him out for him to sleep that late.

I had dh read up about night terrors because I was pretty sure it was a night terror when he wouldn't open his eyes and wasn't reacting to positive or negative stimuli. The info we read said it could be brought on by being sick or just something he is going through, but don't worry, it usually resolves around adolescence. Ok, no problem, only about 12 more years of our kid screaming for hours at night...no biggie!

I praise the Lord it didn't seem to bother him except for a bit of tiredness today, but boy, not fun being kicked and screamed at for over an hour. I finally put some music on low. Not sure if it helped or he was just at the end anyways, but he did seem to fall asleep within about three songs or so.

I had to go potty so badly and finally put him down by himself on the chair in the living room where we were and he seemed to react a bit to me putting him down, but I wouldn't say he was actually awake at that point. He literally was screaming one second and then snoring the next. I think putting him down and taking a moment to pee helped both of us.

Has anyone dealt with this and had any help trying anything?
I did read that antihistamines can cause night terrors also and I had given him a small dose of benedryl to help with the constant flow of snot hoping it would help him sleep.....maybe that was our trigger. Only God knows, but any help and prayers would be awesome! We are all still sick and I felt God's grace so much while this was happening. He is so good to us!!

Blessings,
Amber

[rachel]

Will pray they stop and everyone gets the sleep they need.

[Jessy]

Amber, I have no first hand experience but remember fondly a nephew going through this. He was older and it didn't happen often before they went away all together. It was heartbreaking just HEARING about it, I can only imagine trying to deal with a little one in the midst of it. Praying like crazy for little Spencer and for you!

[buttercup_97140]

Thanks for the ideas ladies. We pray he doesn't have anymore, but if the Lord allows it I will try some of these things. I don't think he actually remembered it because when he woke up he was as happy as he ever is. He was tired most of the day, but that's explainable.
Es- I didn't and don't give my kids meds to sleep, I had given him some tylenol/advil because he acted like he was in pain, and some benedryl for his severe congestion and runny nose. My kids are great sleepers most of the time, so I don't want to mess with that. We don't do meds but Tylenol/Advil and Benedryl occasionally, but we don't like to use them to break fevers because of how therapeutic fevers are, so it's usually reserved for pain in our home. I didn't want to come across like I was sedating my kid.....

Blessings,
Amber

[buttercup_97140]

Tara, Spencer wants to be comforted too, but can't stand it either. He crawls up me and around me, but it sets him off more if I put him down or walk away. While he is fiercly holding on to me he kicks and squirms and he just pretty much goes every way possible but comfortable. His eyes were shut...I couldn't even pry them open. I tried once to see if I could get some focus as a test, but they were staying shut. I have some ideas for next time if it happens so we will see. The Lord knows, so I rest in that. I'm just glad Spence woke up acting happy and normal. He did sleep a lot more that day, but you would have never known what had happened. Even two minutes after he fell back into a regular sleep he was fine.

Thanks for your input.
Blessings,
Amber

[kim]

Originally Posted by JoyLynn

Carissa's night terror only happened in the first part of the night and never later. They happened when she was overtired ....

I tried really hard not to let her get overtired or overstimulated, and that helped...

My best guess is that it's caused by a developing/maturing nervous system, combined with too much stimulation and being overtired.

My oldest did for a few years. I agree with the above things that Joy said. Although in our situation, once a night terror started, there wasn't much we could do but wait it out. He didn't respond to anything and he has never had any memories of the episodes. They certainly are no fun for anyone though... I sure hope it doesn't last long!!

[Gracy47]

it is just alright .... someday they will overcome it and they will become strong