Melatonin

MimiLexis

Registered User
Mar 31, 2019
25
0
Hi all

I have had such a hard time trying to get Melatomin scribed for dad. I went to our GP on 10th May, for another of several appointmemts regarding his sleep problem...he doesn't sleep at night at all. He has had several scripts of Zoplicone but we don't want that nor is it a long term solution or aid for him. GP advised she cannot scribe as it needs scribing first from memory team then they can take over the scribing. GP wrote to memory team advising and I called them too.

I called the memory team on Mpnday as I had heard nothing for them to say they have wrote to GP and advised it's up to them to scribe not them. Locum doc was in surgery yesterday so I was told I had to speak with GP today. I just got a call back at 7.15pm from GP advising our CCG guidelines clearly state Melatonin is in band green and it is a specialist initiation drug so he cannot scribe even though he would be happy to but he would be breaking the medical guidelines. He will contact the CCG himself and see if he can scribe but if they say no and a specialist must initiate it then who will do this if the memory team are not going to?

I am so upset and fed up with being passed about like this and all I want is for my dad to try Melatonin and see if it works for him. We have already spent a fortune on things we have tried all have had no effect on him and I have heard Melatonin works well for some Alzheimers sufferers and GPs do scribe it for other carers loved ones.

GP has said it can vary from area to area in regards to scribing regulations but I'm just at my wits end with it all!

Any input or advice would be much appreciated, thank you
 

Izzy

Volunteer Moderator
Aug 31, 2003
73,998
0
72
Dundee
Our GP agreed to prescribe Melatonin for my husband even though it was outside the Scottish guidelines. I have to be honest and say I didn't find it made any difference. He stayed on it until he had a stay in hospital. They took him off it and I didn't pursue him getting it again.
 

LynneMcV

Volunteer Moderator
May 9, 2012
6,112
0
south-east London
My husband was tried on it when he had to stay in hospital at a time when his sleep pattern was completely out of control (staying awake and pacing for regular 48 hour periods at a time). In his case it gave him two hours sleep on the first attempt - but after that, it made no difference at all so he was removed from it. In fact they never did get on top of regulating his sleep at all once it had reached that stage.
 

Lawson58

Registered User
Aug 1, 2014
4,333
0
Victoria, Australia
My GP suggested that I try melatonin for my insomnia but it was of no use whatsoever. He wasn't too surprised when I said that and said that it works for some people.
 

MimiLexis

Registered User
Mar 31, 2019
25
0
Thank you all for your replies, much appreciated and I totally understand it may or may not work...I am just so desperate for dad
 

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