Xpost: Does anyone know anything about childhood sleep apnea?

I posted this over on the band board last night but also wanted to see if anyone over here knows anything:

My daughter has never been a good sleeper at night.  Even at 6 years old I think she MIGHT average being able to sleep through the night no more than two times in a week.  She gave up naps before she was even 2 years old.  Before she started full day school we would aim for a 12 hour sleep night.  Now that she is in school though 10 hours is our goal (8pm to 6am).

I have never noticed her to actually snore or skip breathes in her sleep.  She also is not overweight (she's about 40th percentile in height and weight).

Almost every morning when I get up she can be found sleeping in the living room recliner, on the couch and sometimes she's good enough to have slipped in our bed without us knowing it until we wake ourselves.  Other mornings I will find her in her bed but with toys under the blanket that she didn't have when I checked on right before we go to bed ourselves!  It seems like I have noticed she will get up after about 4 hours of sleep which I believe would put her i the lighter phase of the sleep cycle.

She is a BEAR to wake up on most school mornings but on the days when she's allowed to rise on her own she's an absolute JOY and wake us with a smile and hug.

During the day time she does not complain of being tired neither does she act tired.  She's actually a bit too energetic if you ask me,

In school she does a tad bit sub-average (the school abides to a gifted program overall in her defense).  Her biggest issue is being able to stay focused.  She is not a behavioral child though they always tell me.  Her teacher does not think she has AD issues but I suppose it's possible.

Although finding her in odd places in the morning isn't so much my concern anymore now that she's older, I do know there's beginning to be some talk about sleep apnea being a hindrance to learning (remember that presenter at the support group a few months ago).  I called the pediatrician today and asked them if I'm just overly-sensitive (aka crazy mom) or if her not sleeping all night is still fairly common for 6 year olds.  LOL....they made her an appointment for tomorrow!!  Maybe that's a hint there?

Anyway, do any of you guys and gals out there have a non-sleeper too or have any experience/knowledge of childhood sleep apnea? 

Oh yeah, AFTER I called and talked to the pediatricians office guess what she brought home in her backpack??  Her report card!!  LOL...it was mostly good other than the report of NOT STAYING FOCUSED.....Grrrr!!

Does she still have her adnoids? I know Sarah was not a good sleeper and always having breathing problems...They took those babies out and now she sleeps like a rock. She is like me though and only needs 8 hrs of sleep. More is too much..less and she is a Bit@h. Like momma like daughter I always say!

Now now.....some of us are just better at channeling our inner Bi**h in times of need!

She doesn't have recurring tonsil/throat issues but I'm actually hoping if it's anything it's going to be a simple fix with something like this.

Of course y'all know I'll keep you updated!

 I would have her checked.. I thought that when we talked about it at the sleep apnea presentation too.. It cant hurt, can it?
dawn

She she's Dr. Collins at 3:50 today. 

Lordy, I hope I'm just a freaky paranoid momma or it's something like tonsils/adenoids because the thought of getting a 6-year-old to wear a CPAP mask makes me think about trying to shove a pill down a cats throat! 
She actually had to take breathing treatments when she had RSV as a baby and couldn't get her to wear the mask then.  I gave up eventually and just started placing a towel over her's and my head making a tent and trapping the steam that way....I got the treatment too even though I didn't need it!

In the last 6 years Becka they have perfected neublizers and CPAP geared for kid use  they have them like monkey faces, etc animals you get my drift....  so if she has it, its better you find out now and correct the problem than it be down the road.

Vicki

Becca
When Lucas was 6 years old he would suck in the cutains and then it would take forever for him to breathe.
I slept on the couch and him the loveseat so i could watch him.
He would not get up for school and was sleepy all day.
Took him to the dr and told them what he was doing,he had never had anything wrong with his tonsils .
But they took out his huge tonsils and adnoids and he has been great  that was 9 years ago and he hasnt had 1 problem (but it is still hell to wake him up)teenager.
Also Joey had his adnoids out and tubes put in when he was 5 and he hasnt snored since.
Its scary when you know they are breathing in and not out.
Widh you luck if your doctor doesnt help you see a ent doc.

UPDATE:

OK, so we made it to the pediatrician yesterday and I voiced my concerns. 

She said that the situation of her not sleeping through the night is not normal but my description of her behavior doesn't completely fit a case of classic sleep apnea since she doesn't snore and isn't acting tired during the day. 

She did say though that Gracie's tonsils are BIG....bigger than her own but then she qualified it and said they aren't grossly huge enough to be concerned about them at this point.  She wants to start with a sleep study and she what those result are.  She said it might just be a case of Gracie not being able to get into a good deep sleep cycle and that a daily dose of melatonin might be the answer.  At first I thought she meant a sleeping pill for a six year old but once I googled it I now know this is an OTC supplement just like vits and minerals......

The consult with the sleep study facility is on the 23rd.  I suppose they will schedule the study itself on that date.

LOL...she got up twice last night....left the fridge open and beeping once!

pooor kid. I needs me some sleep.. cant take not sleeping! wooo..
dawn