NelliePledge
Senior Member
- Messages
- 807
having had increasing problems with my sleep over the last several months I finally decided to pluck up the courage for a discussion with my GP
I currently have a prescription for 1or2 10mg amitryptiline a night. At first about 20 months ago when I just got diagnosed and started taking them I was off sick. It was such a relief to be able to get off to sleep and I put up with the extra zombie feeling in mornings as to be honest I wasnt getting up until late morning anyway. I soon realised that 2 of these things was far too much for me (I seem to get the zombie effect on very low doses of meds eg 25mg pregabalin rather than the normal 75mg tablets) Then I picked up a tip to take the tablet at teatime and I was zombyish until 10 rather than 11/noon. Of late Ive been getting nights where I sleep at 5/6am or not at all. So I tried taking a break from amitryptiline or doing them alternate nights. But doing that hasnt made them any more effective and I still dont sleep well whether I take the amitryptiline or not maybe getting off to sleep 3 or 4 if I do take the tablet. I do have some better nights but it is probably one in three when I have got so tired I have to go to bed early evening and sleep for 8or 9 hours.
I decided to ask about melatonin because Ive heard from some people on the forums I frequent that it works for them. I looked on the NHS website which says this about melatonin
Melatonin (Circadin)
For adults aged 55 or over, a medication called Circadin is sometimes used to help relieve insomnia for a few weeks. It contains a naturally occurring hormone called melatonin, which helps to regulate the sleep cycle.
Circadin is usually only recommended for three weeks at first, but it can be continued for a total of 13 weeks if it helps.
Im not actually 55 yet but I will be next birthday so based on the website info thought there could be a good chance that I might get it.
What a fool I feel - my GP said she has also had someone with Parkinsons asking about Melatonin. But it is -in my area anyway -only available through a specialist. In my area the "specialist CFS/ME" clinic no longer exists and didnt have any Dr attached to it anyway it was Physios/OTs and Psychologists. So I asked about sleep clinic as I know some people with ME have had help- in my area you can only get referred if you have suspected sleep apnea. Apparently the community pain service which is where ME/CFS people’s referrals go these days use a medication called Dosulepin which is for pain but can help with sleep and my GP asked if I wanted to try that.
Im fuming really I feel like every time I bother engaging with NHS about ME it is a complete waste of time. My GP is a nice enough woman but just doesnt have anything to offer.
ok so kind friends I have two questions
1 has anyone heard of or taken Dosulepin - Ive not yet looked it up so any info helpful
2 has anyone in the UK ordered Melatonin online from a reputable pharmacy off prescription
thanks for listening and any advice very much appreciated
N
I currently have a prescription for 1or2 10mg amitryptiline a night. At first about 20 months ago when I just got diagnosed and started taking them I was off sick. It was such a relief to be able to get off to sleep and I put up with the extra zombie feeling in mornings as to be honest I wasnt getting up until late morning anyway. I soon realised that 2 of these things was far too much for me (I seem to get the zombie effect on very low doses of meds eg 25mg pregabalin rather than the normal 75mg tablets) Then I picked up a tip to take the tablet at teatime and I was zombyish until 10 rather than 11/noon. Of late Ive been getting nights where I sleep at 5/6am or not at all. So I tried taking a break from amitryptiline or doing them alternate nights. But doing that hasnt made them any more effective and I still dont sleep well whether I take the amitryptiline or not maybe getting off to sleep 3 or 4 if I do take the tablet. I do have some better nights but it is probably one in three when I have got so tired I have to go to bed early evening and sleep for 8or 9 hours.
I decided to ask about melatonin because Ive heard from some people on the forums I frequent that it works for them. I looked on the NHS website which says this about melatonin
Melatonin (Circadin)
For adults aged 55 or over, a medication called Circadin is sometimes used to help relieve insomnia for a few weeks. It contains a naturally occurring hormone called melatonin, which helps to regulate the sleep cycle.
Circadin is usually only recommended for three weeks at first, but it can be continued for a total of 13 weeks if it helps.
Im not actually 55 yet but I will be next birthday so based on the website info thought there could be a good chance that I might get it.
What a fool I feel - my GP said she has also had someone with Parkinsons asking about Melatonin. But it is -in my area anyway -only available through a specialist. In my area the "specialist CFS/ME" clinic no longer exists and didnt have any Dr attached to it anyway it was Physios/OTs and Psychologists. So I asked about sleep clinic as I know some people with ME have had help- in my area you can only get referred if you have suspected sleep apnea. Apparently the community pain service which is where ME/CFS people’s referrals go these days use a medication called Dosulepin which is for pain but can help with sleep and my GP asked if I wanted to try that.
Im fuming really I feel like every time I bother engaging with NHS about ME it is a complete waste of time. My GP is a nice enough woman but just doesnt have anything to offer.
ok so kind friends I have two questions
1 has anyone heard of or taken Dosulepin - Ive not yet looked it up so any info helpful
2 has anyone in the UK ordered Melatonin online from a reputable pharmacy off prescription
thanks for listening and any advice very much appreciated
N