Scarlett Posted December 15, 2010 Share Posted December 15, 2010 My ds (10.75) has consistantly needed 10 hours of sleep for many many years. In the last 6 months or so he has began to sleep for 12 or more. He also has dark circles under his eyes and a headache almost every day. I noticed him clenching his teeth during sleep a few months back and I've assumed the headaches are from that. I've had him in for a consult with a TMJ specialist, but it is very expensive with no real guarantees and lots of 'work.'...so I"ve sort of put that off for a bit. Even dentist says he will need braces soon for his overbite---but it is so slight you can't notice it easily and his teeth are PERFECT and perfectly straight. So the thought of braces just makes me :headbang: Lately I've been wondering if the need for more sleep is related to the dark circles. And the headaches. Any ideas? What should I do next? ENT doc? I'm :confused: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snickerdoodle Posted December 15, 2010 Share Posted December 15, 2010 What about allergies? Lots of kids get raccoon eyes from allergies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mejane Posted December 15, 2010 Share Posted December 15, 2010 You can get a mouth guard to protect against bruxism at most pharmacies. Teeth grinding is often caused by stress. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lolly Posted December 15, 2010 Share Posted December 15, 2010 If you think the dark circles are from lack of quality sleep (I'd rule out a sinus infection), try having him sleep with a mouth guard in. The tooth grinding is probably giving him headaches. The grinding is very likely being caused by stress. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scarlett Posted December 15, 2010 Author Share Posted December 15, 2010 He is clenching. Not grinding. And I don't know that he is still doing it....I haven't slept with him for many months. I bought a mouth guard but we have not been consistant about using it. According to the TMJ specialist and the dentist the 'stress' that is causing him to clench is improper alignment of his jaw.....the overbite. There is no wear at all on his teeth so they don't think he has been doing it a long time or even all the time. I suffer from TMJ too....but I don't clench or grind at night. People have had overbites and underbites for centuries with no significant issues....I am just not convinced every overbite requires extensive work. How do I rule out a sinus infection? How do I address the possibility of allergies..? As far as I know he has no allergies at all....except for penicillan. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pippen Posted December 15, 2010 Share Posted December 15, 2010 I'd also suggest a good chiropractor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MamaAkins Posted December 15, 2010 Share Posted December 15, 2010 You and your son have been through major life changes during the past year or so, right? Is it possible that he's having trouble processing and adjusting to all these changes and that the jaw clenching is related to stress and lack of quality sleep? I would also try to rule out any allergies/sleep apnea related issues. Also, are you positive that he's "actually" sleeping for the entire 10-12 hours? Is he waking up and reading or playing? Is he laying awake in bed? Other than that, it's very possible that he's hitting puberty or a growth spurt and that his body is in need of the additional sleep. I'd try to accommodate it, within reason, and see if it helps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scarlett Posted December 15, 2010 Author Share Posted December 15, 2010 You and your son have been through major life changes during the past year or so, right? Is it possible that he's having trouble processing and adjusting to all these changes and that the teeth grinding and dark circles are related to stress and lack of quality sleep? Well, it is possible I guess. If so, not sure how to fix it. I would also try to rule out any allergies/sleep apnea related issues. How do I do this? TMJ specialist says the dark circles are related to the TMJ. I can't remember his exact explanation....something about air passage ways being blocked? Also, are you positive that he's "actually" sleeping for the entire 10-12 hours? Is he waking up and reading or playing? Is he laying awake in bed? Pretty sure he is 'sleeping'. Other than that, it's very possible that he's hitting puberty or a growth spurt and that his body is in need of the additional sleep. I'd try to accommodate it, within reason, and see if it helps. I've considered this. I am allowing him to sleep extra....I rarely have reason to wake him....if it was JUST the extra sleep I wouldn't worry. It is the dark circles (even WITH the extra sleep) and the daily headaches. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michelle in AL Posted December 15, 2010 Share Posted December 15, 2010 Most definintely sounds like allergies. Dark circles under eyes is a common symptom as well as fatigue and headaches. Allergies can cause fatigue/stress syndrome too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mejane Posted December 15, 2010 Share Posted December 15, 2010 Most definintely sounds like allergies. Dark circles under eyes is a common symptom as well as fatigue and headaches. Allergies can cause fatigue/stress syndrome too. Use hypoallergenic covers on his mattress and pillows, and put a hepa filter in his room. Remove rugs if you can. No pets in the bedroom! If it's allergies, that should help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scarlett Posted December 15, 2010 Author Share Posted December 15, 2010 Use hypoallergenic covers on his mattress and pillows, and put a hepa filter in his room. Remove rugs if you can. No pets in the bedroom! If it's allergies, that should help. Oh boy. He has new carpet in his room and the dog has slept in her crate in his room for several months. Those are two new things since the daily headaches started. I had considered it was related to this new house. :glare: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheTwinsMom1 Posted December 15, 2010 Share Posted December 15, 2010 I would also try to rule out sleep apnea. My son slept a long time like yours and we just found out he had moderate sleep apena. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unicorn. Posted December 15, 2010 Share Posted December 15, 2010 Use hypoallergenic covers on his mattress and pillows, and put a hepa filter in his room. Remove rugs if you can. No pets in the bedroom! If it's allergies, that should help. I would give him zyrtec or clariton at night, and get him a mouth gaurd if possible. He can be sleeping, but not be getting good sleep. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sbgrace Posted December 15, 2010 Share Posted December 15, 2010 (edited) My thoughts: 1. Dark circles, fatigue....any possibility of allergies? 2. And...I think he needs a sleep study. He's got physical signs of apnea and the large overbite is often correlated with apnea as it put his tongue further back so more opportunity for obstruction. This would be my guess unless you see other signs of allergies. ENT wouldn't hurt. I'm not sure but wonder if they order sleep studies. It could be both of those things. Edited December 15, 2010 by sbgrace Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lolly Posted December 15, 2010 Share Posted December 15, 2010 Well, it is possible I guess. If so, not sure how to fix it. You can't. Just make sure he is allowed to do some venting without encountering anger. How do I do this? TMJ specialist says the dark circles are related to the TMJ. I can't remember his exact explanation....something about air passage ways being blocked? I also have TMJ. I only clench when stressed. For me, the tmj makes my clenching cause extra problems. For my tmj (which got extreme at one point in college), I was fitted with a mouth thingy (it built up my lower teeth) that made my top teeth fit in a more normal fashion. Now, I just use a mouth guard when it flares. It works just fine. Pretty sure he is 'sleeping'. I've considered this. I am allowing him to sleep extra....I rarely have reason to wake him....if it was JUST the extra sleep I wouldn't worry. It is the dark circles (even WITH the extra sleep) and the daily headaches. Try some allergy medicine for short term. If it is allergy related, it will probably really help. If it isn't, it won't hurt. It might even help him sleep. (My dd loves her Benadryl at night.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quad Shot Academy Posted December 15, 2010 Share Posted December 15, 2010 I'd also suggest a good chiropractor. :iagree: Mine adjusts my oldest's jaw when it starts popping. I would look into food allergies and if he snores, an ENT to scope his adenoids. Or you could just try a steroid nasal spray for a few months to save money. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mejane Posted December 15, 2010 Share Posted December 15, 2010 Try some allergy medicine for short term. If it is allergy related, it will probably really help. If it isn't, it won't hurt. It might even help him sleep. (My dd loves her Benadryl at night.) Just be careful with the pseudoephedrine. Some people are sensitive to it. If I take it right before bed, it keeps me up all night. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wyndie Posted December 15, 2010 Share Posted December 15, 2010 It sounds alot like allergies to me too. When I am trying to pin down an allergy, I journal everything. Usually within a few days I see a pattern. I notate all foods eaten, bowel movements, skin issues, headaches, behavior, any other symptoms that I can think of. It really helps. :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sheryl Posted December 15, 2010 Share Posted December 15, 2010 My ds (10.75) has consistantly needed 10 hours of sleep for many many years. In the last 6 months or so he has began to sleep for 12 or more. He also has dark circles under his eyes and a headache almost every day. I noticed him clenching his teeth during sleep a few months back and I've assumed the headaches are from that. I've had him in for a consult with a TMJ specialist, but it is very expensive with no real guarantees and lots of 'work.'...so I"ve sort of put that off for a bit. Even dentist says he will need braces soon for his overbite---but it is so slight you can't notice it easily and his teeth are PERFECT and perfectly straight. So the thought of braces just makes me :headbang: Lately I've been wondering if the need for more sleep is related to the dark circles. And the headaches. Any ideas? What should I do next? ENT doc? I'm :confused: Yes, Scarlett, you may want to consider a neurologist for a sleep study. That's where you would start to see if they can pinpoint any sleep related issues from a neurological standpoint. Then you may be referred to an ent. My 11.5 yo dd has controlled epilepsy. She has always needed a lot of sleep. She still sleeps 10-11 hours a day depending on activity level and season of the year. Once in while she gets 9.5 and the next day is NOT optimal. Well, her seizures are controlled, but she still needs sleep. For quite some time I've noticed her yawning. That combined with her defiance, etc made me request a sleep study from the neurol...he gladly complied. The sleep study showed she wakes up an average of 15 times every hour. NO WONDER she gets cranky. Her rem cycle is NOT even/level like it's supposed to be. She had no night seizures and no sleep apnea. So, her neurol referred to ent dr whom we saw yesterday. You can catch up from here by searching for my thread. The story will pick up from that point. HTH. Sheryl <>< Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scarlett Posted December 15, 2010 Author Share Posted December 15, 2010 Yes, Scarlett, you may want to consider a neurologist for a sleep study. That's where you would start to see if they can pinpoint any sleep related issues from a neurological standpoint. Then you may be referred to an ent. My 11.5 yo dd has controlled epilepsy. She has always needed a lot of sleep. She still sleeps 10-11 hours a day depending on activity level and season of the year. Once in while she gets 9.5 and the next day is NOT optimal. Well, her seizures are controlled, but she still needs sleep. For quite some time I've noticed her yawning. That combined with her defiance, etc made me request a sleep study from the neurol...he gladly complied. The sleep study showed she wakes up an average of 15 times every hour. NO WONDER she gets cranky. Her rem cycle is NOT even/level like it's supposed to be. She had no night seizures and no sleep apnea. So, her neurol referred to ent dr whom we saw yesterday. You can catch up from here by searching for my thread. The story will pick up from that point. HTH. Sheryl <>< Wow. Thank you. Off to find your thread. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rosie_0801 Posted December 15, 2010 Share Posted December 15, 2010 If he's growing, he'd be needing extra iron. Dark circles under the eyes always precede growth spurts around here. Rosie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scarlett Posted December 16, 2010 Author Share Posted December 16, 2010 Thanks to all who put in their thots...I've been mulling it over for several weeks now....trying to decide on the best course of action. I went in to his room at 5:30 a.m. and checked for clenching. His teeth were not even touching. He woke up and said 'mom why did you stick your finger in my mouth?' LOL I'm sure that wasn't a pleasant way to wake up. I think I will do a good cleaning of his room....under bed vacuuming and all that...get the dog out of his room at night (which he will NOT be happy about) and get a filter system for his room. Any suggestions on what to buy? We will see if that helps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.