8 year old drowsiness

[SDMomChef]

My 8 year old DS are drowsy all the time and never seem to have enough energy. They go to bed at 8:00, and fall asleep right away and then they wake up between 6:30 and 7:00. By 9:00, they are ready for a nap - and on weekends they will usually climb back into their bed at some point in the day and sleep for an hour or two.

I've spoken to our doctor about it, and he doesn't seem too concerned. It just doesn't seem normal to me. They don't snore and so I don't think there are any issues with their tonsils. I've had their blood tested for anemia, and that has been ruled out. Their drowsiness has not been a problem at school. It just doesn't seem normal to me - my 7 year old DD has way more energy than they ever have.

Anybody else have kids that have had this issue? Advice?

[Miss_Liss]

I had this same trouble as a kid and in the end it was diagnosed as post-viral fatigue syndrome and a sensitivity to processed sugars. To this day, I have to watch my food combining so I am not eating only high glycemic index foods in one sitting - if I just eat say a white bread sandwich or a doughnut, my energy drops out and I'm exhausted. It might be worth experimenting with their diets to see if this makes a difference - recent books of diabetes referring to the glycemic index can be very useful.

[lindrusso]

That does seem unusual to me and I can understand your concern.

Are they twins? Do they sleep in the same room? Are you sure they are actually sleeping the whole time? Is it possible that they wake up in the middle of the night and talk quietly?

I ask because it's odd that it's both of them.

If possible, if I were you, I'd set up a video camera (discreetly) - my camera has a night vision mode - and see if there is anything going on while you're not in the room. It can't hurt and it might be worth checking into before you explore other options.

Just an idea! ;) :)

I would also wonder if there's anything in the house that they are sensitive to. Could there be anything going on with Carbon Monoxide?

When we would visit my in-laws, I could smell something off and I would get very bad headaches and just not feel well at all. I was convinced something was wrong, but the others in the family didn't have the same symptoms and didn't notice the smell. Then one time there was larger group visiting - my grandmother fainted and someone else threw up. Anyway, at some point later on it turned out that their furnace wasn't operating properly and there were elevated levels of Carbon Monoxide. Some people reacted to it, others didn't. I would have your levels checked out if I were you - an easy thing that could be a lifesaver and it can't hurt to rule that out. :)

Just a couple of random things that popped into my head. :)

Good luck. Maybe they are just sleepy little guys. ;)

[IndyKF]

Have you had them tested for mono? I'm not sure at 8 y.o. how common it is, but it's worth asking I guess.

[memartha]

I was wondering about anemia, but I see they 've been tested. Do they take allergy medicine that could be making them drowsy? It this the pattern all the time, or only during certain seasons?

All the other posts seem to offer good advice. I'd check some of their ideas. It does seem unusual to me that 8 year olds are that tired/drowsy during the day. Good luck.

[Kristilyn1]

I would also look at diet. Try a couple changes and see if it helps. I always make my kids have a protein as part of breakfast and with the snack at snack time. I crash out on straight carbs as well. Also, anything with caffeine? I'm sensitive to it, in the sense that if I have caffeine for a few days and then go a day or two without, I am so sleepy that I am in danger of falling asleep driving at all hours of the day. Henceforth, I avoid caffeine, it just doesn't work well in my body.

How about making them do something physical after breakfast? Maybe that's the difference---is there schedule at school, such that they get physical exercise in that window that is not duplicated at home?

Otherwise, the carbon monoxide could certainly be a culprit. I agree that while I probably wouldn't freak out--I doubt I'd just go with the doctor and his "don't worry". It just doesn't sound normal.

Kristi

[luvItalian]

As with MissLiss, my daugther had this trouble but she also had a distended(sp?) stomach. It did get a little serious because it went undiagnosed. One doctor told me maybe she is on the lazy side. Anyway, she is fine now. Took her off all processed foods and gassey foods. In a week she had so much more energy. The big problem foods were Chinese, bread, gummy candy and some others. I have to say, this helped my whole family eat healthier.

Mono could be another issue. My neighbor's daughter was diagnossed today. She has been falling asleep at school though and the doctor felt her spleen and said it was enlarged.

Good luck.

[AvrilH]

Don't forget the thyroid! My 8 yo son was just tested and he has a depleted thyroid and is going to the pediatric endocrinologist next month.

[TKay]

I don't have a heck of a lot to add except to ask if they are especially active during the week? Do they have a lot going on? Do they participate in sports? I wonder because I do notice my boys can be particularly tired on the weekends if they've been super busy during the week. Some weekend days (if we don't have anything planned), they'll just lounge around all day--something I don't recall doing at such a young age. (My boys are 5 and 7.) My other question is, have they always been this way? Did they sleep more as infants? Or is this a new development? If it is new, it is likely something to be concerned about. If they've always been sort of logi, it might just be their temperaments or metabolism. We have twin friends who are the most mild-mannered kids you'd ever meet. They are also big-time sleepers. But then, they always have been.
Good luck. I'd check out the ideas mentioned above. If you're not satisfied, continue to pursue the issue with your doctor.

[avariell]

i second the reminder about checking the thyroid... mine was junked up and didn't work and to say i was sleepy might be the world's hugest understatement :D

[grily]

Sounds like his sleep wake cycle is messed up. Have you talked with your doctor about this. Children that have Juvinile Onset Bipolar Disorder have the same symptoms. You can visit www.jbrf.org and fill out a questionare to find out ASAP. Good Luck