GP will not help my son

Yes - melatonin is pretty tightly regulated i the U.K.

Like another poster on here, I also bought it from BIOVEA. However, for me, it wasn't the magic solution I was looking for. Yes it made me a bit drowsy, but I'm also very sensitive to alcohol and it was unclear if I felt a bit drowsier due to the melatonin, or that.

Be careful with melatonin produced in the U.S. I've seen reports of bottles containing almost next to nothing compared to what's meant to be inside, and other bottles containing 3x or more the stated amount!! One only needs a tiny amount of this hormone, so overdosing might be a real risk factor.

It's the last thing your son will want to do right now, but how often does he go outside and let direct sunshine into his eyes? Not looking at the sun obviously, but being outside preferably on 4 hour long stints?

As an experiment, I would take him on one of those hikes if you can. Please don't tell him why you're doing it otherwise the experiment won't work, but I'd like to know what he'd be like if he got a 4 hr long hike on the weekend. It doesn't have to be very strenuous. The point is not to push him to that extent, but it should be mild-moderate consistent exercise, and preferably in landscape he likes (some people much prefer coast to woodlands for example).

I also use magnesium glycimate in our family, it's a health supplement so no need for prescription. I buy it off Amazon but you could check in Holland and Barrett.
Magnesium glycimate is better than the cheaper forms of magnesium.

Also re melatonin online, biovea is a reputable source with low doses available.

GPs can't initiate melatonin. It needs to be a paediatrician or a psychiatrist or whichever org diagnosed hid ADHD. This is not your GP being difficult it's to do with license of medication.

It might be worth checking if your DC is eating anything with a huge amount of vitamin D in it. (like certain oily fish or UV grown mushrooms or anything).

If you have a large amount of vitamin D in your diet then that uses up a lot of magnesium for processing and the magnesium deficiency that results causes insomnia.

If you just cut down the vit D then that has the same effect as adding in more magnesium.

You can also just buy tesco magnesium supplements and it will say on the box what ages it is suitable for.

https://www.trolley.co.uk/product/tesco-health-50-magnesium-magnesium-tabs/KMX666

This could just be my experience but GP won't prescribe melatonin it's got to be a paediatrician. How old is your son? Initial consult was paediatrician but it's managed by GP for us. Can you get melatonin gummies while you wait for appointment?

@mummytotwoxo Valerian root?

I have heard that valerian is a mild sedative {can be bought from pharmacies and online} - it is sold as a ''sleep aid''.

Another recommend for biovea gummies. Adhd in my house, we used them regularly for all us. My daughter now gets melatonin prescribed (2 year wait post diagnosis) but the adults still take the gummies.

have a look at all the sleep charity websites, lots us helpful info if you can get your son to do it. Banana milkshake before bed (made with actual banana blended in). Porridge. All foods that release the right things to enable sleep.
Read or do calming activities before bed, no screens (yes I know it’s hard)
cakming music, white noise.

As PPs have mentioned - an NHS GP is unlikely to prescribe. Would an appointment with a private GP be an option? As your son has an ADHD diagnosis they might be happy to prescribe.

I buy mine from piping rock...my psychiatrist recommended it

As others have said, GP cannot prescribe melatonin. Your son must first be seen by professionals (psychiatrist), they will issue, work up to the safe correct dose for him, and continue to give repeat prescriptions. NO WAY would I buy medication online, despite other posters being happy with this. I would give any health supplements suggested, but I would research them first. Weighted blanket can be great, you can find them pretty cheaply now too. Look at his sleep hygiene and see if you can improve anything there. Good luck 🤞🏻

How will that help exactly? Urgent care is hardly likely to prescribe melatonin or anything else for this.

We buy melatonin from Biovea too (5mg fast release), as suggested by DD's psychiatrist. Your GP won't really do anything.

We do get melatonin on prescription from GP (slow release only) but it is overseen by psychiatrist - however, I have heard that GPs are no longer keen on taking on shared care agreements.

Cherry concentrate can also be helpful from a reputable health food source. It has naturally occurring melatonin

Gp won't prescribe, you need peadiatric or sleep clinic. Who did the adhd assessment ?

I've just looked and Holland and Barrett do kids magnesium gummies. Have a look at the different options.

I do this as well. DS only takes 1 mg (lowest dose for his age) and we've managed to drop it to only needing it occasionally now - it has actually helped get him into a routine where he is able to sleep at a reasonable time. He doesn't have diagnosed ADHD but his Dad has insomnia (struggling to get to sleep rather than waking early) and DS is similar - very much a night owl. We had tried literally everything else - all the sleep hygiene, sleep sprays, lavender etc, routines, reduce screen time etc etc. Nothing worked but a small dose of melatonin has really helped.

I bought mine on amazon but it's for me, an adult. I'm sure you could get it from a pharmacy in-person. I understand your hesitation to give your child something bought online.

I second magnesium, as pp recommended above. Honestly, magnesium gives me such a good night's sleep. It's amazing stuff! You can get it in tablets, sprays, creams etc.

GPS cannot prescribe melatonin. Your son needs a referral to a sleep clinic. You will likely need to complete some work over a period of months with the school nurse before this is made available to you. You can probably self refer to the school nurses.

@mummytotwoxo poor sleep can be caused by the adhd meds being at to low a dose so I'd suggest trying to talk to his pediatrician about both his adhd meds and a melatonin prescription.
In the meantime can I suggest warm milk I know it sounds daft but it does help

I'm a GP, unfortunately it's not licensed and GPs have been threatened with GMC referral for prescribing. We are really odd about melatonin in this country - in the US you can buy it in Walmart!

I absolutely definitely wouldn't suggest that you just buy it online. Oh no. Definitely not................

My comments have been hidden to be looked at. Hopefully will be approved as I put in a link to biovea website where I get melatonin online from Europe as its a herbal vitamin there.

Gp will rarely prescribe unless first seen by paediatrics. I actually order it online from Europe as its classed as a herbal vitamin there. No issues with legality bringing it to England. Its even delivered by DHL. It really has been a life saver. Obviously still pursue through paediatrics but I do recommend using here. Ps I do not work them.
https://www.biovea.com/uk/productlist/results?KW=melatonin%20gummies&FiltersObject=%7B%22SortValue%22:%7B%7D,%22PageSize%22:24,%22CompareProducts%22:%5B%5D,%22Brands%22:%7B%7D,%22FormValues%22:%5B%5D,%22PriceRanges%22:%5B%5D,%22Categories%22:%5B%5D,%22objects%22:%5B%5D%7D