Is this acceptable?

[Newnamenewopenme]

I’ve never slept well. It takes me ages to drop off, dp snores which drives me mad (one of us ends up in the spare room), I wake up constantly during the night and then am shattered all day everyday.

I went to the doctors about a year ago but they couldn’t offer any help. Recently I had to take an antihistamine for a reaction, it said none drowsy but it knocked me out for 8 hours and I woke up the most refreshed ever. A few days passed of bad sleep again so when I was exhausted I took another and it worked again.

I kept this up for about a month and then realised I probably shouldn’t keep taking them. So the last week I’ve stopped but I feel like death warmed up again.

Is it acceptable to take them long term? I feel so much happier after taking them because I’ve actually slept!

ANYTHING that has a whiff of 'addictive' is off the list for the UK. Anything. At all. Doesn't matter if it works on not (they'll tell you it doesn't, you need 'psychological support'; they do this for a number of other conditions, it's mind-blowingly frustrating and one of the things that makes me want to emigrate even though I am British

I worked in a very prestigious NYC hospital for years that had many British patients who came for treatment that simply couldn't be had in the UK. I was in tears at times hearing about how the NHS had simply given up on them. Of course these were patients who had the money to pay privately but many of them had conditions that were perfectly treatable. We had so many Brits in once that the dietician added fish and chips to the menu. Lovely people and good patients too. They were so greatful for the care they got.

I've taken a nightly drowsy-making antihistamine for almost 40 years. My doctor suggested them, told me no side effects, and it means I only get one or two colds a year instead of 4 or 5. I buy them over the counter. No problems!

Zop is the only thing really works for me but I have to have it prescribed abroad.

Given that it is cheap and has been in very wide use for many years with no hint of safety problems why is it off formulary for the NHS?

It is on the formulary. I don't know why Deo can't get it. It's widely used.

I genuinely believe Zopiclone saved my life when I was going through a period of brutal insomnia. I understand the reservations doctors have with the addictive nature of some meds but my god it honestly saved me. During periods of insomnia now I take Phenergan and it really helps - it's an antihistamine but my doctor recommended it as reluctant to prescribe zopiclone too much, frustratingly.

@MissConductUS

ANYTHING that has a whiff of 'addictive' is off the list for the UK. Anything. At all. Doesn't matter if it works on not (they'll tell you it doesn't, you need 'psychological support'; they do this for a number of other conditions, it's mind-blowingly frustrating and one of the things that makes me want to emigrate even though I am British

I worked in a very prestigious NYC hospital for years that had many British patients who came for treatment that simply couldn't be had in the UK. I was in tears at times hearing about how the NHS had simply given up on them. Of course these were patients who had the money to pay privately but many of them had conditions that were perfectly treatable. We had so many Brits in once that the dietician added fish and chips to the menu. Lovely people and good patients too. They were so greatful for the care they got.

That would be me with my son! He was totally failed, a child, his life. Then we came back here and thankfully went private and found a care team that was forward thinking and progressive - one GP tried to interfere, well, I sacked and found another. I'm no longer willing to entertain their negativity and backwards, outdated nonsense. It's a disgusting waste of life and untold, unnecessary misery.

I take melatonin, only 1mg which is a baby dose & I drift off quickly. No drowsiness the next day.

Thanks everyone! I think I will stick to it for a couple of months and then try melatonin in the next school holidays (rather than being tired at work if it doesn’t work for me)

@MissConductUS

ANYTHING that has a whiff of 'addictive' is off the list for the UK. Anything. At all. Doesn't matter if it works on not (they'll tell you it doesn't, you need 'psychological support'; they do this for a number of other conditions, it's mind-blowingly frustrating and one of the things that makes me want to emigrate even though I am British

I worked in a very prestigious NYC hospital for years that had many British patients who came for treatment that simply couldn't be had in the UK. I was in tears at times hearing about how the NHS had simply given up on them. Of course these were patients who had the money to pay privately but many of them had conditions that were perfectly treatable. We had so many Brits in once that the dietician added fish and chips to the menu. Lovely people and good patients too. They were so greatful for the care they got.

Remember that there's good and bad in every system. The US advertises medications on TV FFS. "Tell your doctor you have [insert new disorder] and ask for [just out of testing drug]" Barking mad. And vastly over medicated. The most common starter drug for American teens to misuse? Whatever addictive substance is in their parents' cabinet. And the dreadful painkiller epidemic that has killed a lot of people and addicted millions.

Being careful with addictive substances is actually important.

I'm with @reggiecat - I had chronic insomnia and did the Sleepstation course and haven't looked back - but you MUST trust that it works - and it isn't easy - but I was desperate so would try anything - and it has transformed my life. I did it through my work but you can get a referral from your GP.

I have to take them all year round and often take up to four a day - found out from my doctor that you can take six (10mg) a day if necessary, so taking them to help you sleep longterm doesn't sound like a problem. The only issue being if you become too used to the dose and need to up it, otherwise, it won't harm you and as it's helping you, it can only be a good thing.

And vastly over medicated.

Not true. According to this study prescription drug spending is higher in the US due to higher prices but drug utilization is comparable with nine other similar high income countries, including the UK.

Paying for Prescription Drugs Around the World: Why Is the U.S. an Outlier?

Method: Analysis of health data from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, the 2016 Commonwealth Fund International Health Policy Survey, and other sources.

Findings and Conclusions: Various factors contribute to high per capita drug spending in the U.S. While drug utilization appears to be similar in the U.S. and the nine other countries considered, the prices at which drugs are sold in the U.S. are substantially higher.

Try the Calm app. Brilliant.

According to this study prescription drug spending is higher in the US due to higher prices but drug utilization is comparable with nine other similar high income countries, including the UK.

I couldn't see a breakdown by type. I'm willing to bet the UK has more people on preventative drugs like statins and blood pressure meds and the US on sleeping pills and opioids. Because of the model of healthcare delivery.

If they're over the counter I doubt they are an issue. I take anti-histamines most of the year due to allergies.

My Dad is really knocked by some anti-histamines in this way. It's not uncommon to feel drowsy on them. If you feel safe driving after taking one the evening before I wouldn't worry. No over the counter drugs are addictive so no worries there, either.

Maybe check with a pharmacist?

Sorry to jump in, but I have terrible problems staying asleep beyond 3-4 hours, it's horrible. Started during lockdown so I assume it's anxiety-related as my business is folding. Where are all the melatonin-takers getting it? Or are you in the US? I can't find anywhere to get it in the UK. Nytol works for me but it says not to use beyond 2 weeks so I try to spread it out

@Suzi888

I don’t think so. You’ll build up a tolerance? Some people do taken Them every day for allergies but not for sleeping. Run it past a pharmacist or your GP.

I had a conversation about tolerance with a Consultant Psychiatrist. Apparently tolerance is not a thing with antihistamines.

My DH had chronic urticaria and was prescribed Ceterizine by the hospital - he had to take 8 a day for a year. You'll be fine on one a day!

Take it, it's fine, I'm supposed to take them every day.

I’m the same my sleep patterns are horrendous. Doctor refused to give me any more zoplicone.

I’ve now started taking phenergan remember that?

I take about 3 a night just about works.

@MrsTerryPratchett
agree totally

I am lucky I have a good UK GP

There are things she can't/won't prescribe as against NICE or surgery recommendations but she knows I supplement my 3 monthly B12 injections with some I've sourced from Germany and inject myself because NHS says 3 monthly is enough even though symptoms come back much more quickly.

She also knows I supplement my T4 medication with T3 I buy in Turkey. In the UK it costs the NHS over £250 for a months supply. In Turkey I can buy 3 months supply for under £3.00.

She prescribes me 300mg nightly gabapentin for my sleep which really helps me. It is 'allowed' - it's an off label, known use. I still don't sleep brilliantly but if I ever forget to take it with me if away for the night - or even occasionally at home. I have a dreadful night.

I take I Pirt iton for Uticaria or Hives as its sometimes called large lumps and swellings oin the skin.

A while ago thery worked very well as sleeping pills but I think in recent times they've changed the formulation. I've just lifted this from a NHS website;

antihistamines that make you feel sleepy – such as chlorphenamine (including Piriton), hydroxyzine and promethazine

non-drowsy antihistamines that are less likely to make you feel sleepy – such as cetirizine, fexofenadine and loratadine

So seems that some may be better then others, suggest you consult a decent pharmacist they sometimes seem to know more about this than what Doc's do!

Or just have a word with your doctor I'd be a tad wary of long term risistance as it were to them so as i say ask!.

HTH..

@gullsjustwannahavefun

Sorry to jump in, but I have terrible problems staying asleep beyond 3-4 hours, it's horrible. Started during lockdown so I assume it's anxiety-related as my business is folding. Where are all the melatonin-takers getting it? Or are you in the US? I can't find anywhere to get it in the UK. Nytol works for me but it says not to use beyond 2 weeks so I try to spread it out

I go to Europe to get it. It's OTC in nearly every single country in the entire world except the good ol' backwards UK.

My GP prescribed an antihistamine for my insomnia as I’d tried lots of things before including CBT and metrazapine which made me feel like a zombie and I put on weight. It helps but isn’t the answer unfortunately! My son is also on cetrizene for hay fever from March and is fine

My DH had chronic urticaria and was prescribed Ceterizine by the hospital - he had to take 8 a day for a year. You'll be fine on one a day!

Bloody hell thast really bad! I take a few more then rewcommened but don't take them all that often..

ONE IMPORTANT THING

Before you start on a long term drug use make sure that said drug is not contra indicated with any other drugs you're taking.

May be OK but please ask first!..

Makes all the difference to have a good GP. We had some shit ones. We have a private one now.