Sleepwalking

I talked to our pediatrician today and he's pretty certain Paige's "waking" episodes are actually sleepwalking episodes. Tonight seemed to prove that theory. At bedtime Paige's stomach was hurting as usual. We did all our usual "calming" activities and then she asked for the heating pad. I had forgotten about that one. So, when she fell asleep she had the heating bad laying on her tummy. About an hour after she went to sleep we saw her in the hall upstairs. She was carrying the heating pad with her. We tried to ask her what she was doing and she didn't really respond. That is the part that was always confusing me.....she always *appeared* awake but didn't necessarily respond. The responses I did get were often just confusing and didn't make sense. So, I was aware that she was probably sleepwalking everything made more sense. I guided her back to bed and put the heating pad on her.

Now, why I never thought about sleepwalking is beyond me! She has definitely been wrought with sleep issues for most of her life. Up until about a year ago she had night terrors. Talk about SCARY! Well, night terrors and sleepwalking are all related. Also, sleepwalking has a genetic component and I've heard enough stories about my sleepwalking and talking antics to know exactly where those genes are coming from. I still talk out in my sleep from time to time when I'm overtired.

So, the reason for an increase in this sleepwalking is probably related to the stress of starting school. Stress and anxiety can trigger these episodes. So, while it is still related to her anxiety, at least I know she's not having nightmares all night long about school. Also, if it's sleepwalking she's not losing as much sleep as I originally thought.

As soon as I can get to the store I'm going to buy her some calming herbal tea for kids that a friend told me about. I'm also going to have her take a bath every night in my whirlpool tub with some calming bath bubbles. We'll continue with the relaxation/positive imagery techniques and heating pad at bed time. In the meantime, the pediatrician is going to get in touch with a child psychiatrist that he sometimes gets advice from. He's going to see if there's anything more we should be doing. If things don't start improving within the next couple of weeks I will have to start taking her to weekly therapy appts again.

On a good note, Kaeli's evening was MUCH better. No crying episodes or emotional outbursts. She was much more pleasant tonight. WHEW!