To be pissed off that Boots wouldn't sell me Nytol?

[Appalonia]

I went to Boots today to buy some Nytol. The shop assistant asked me when I had last taken some. I said, a few weeks ago. She refused to sell it to me and said that they could only sell it to someone every 6 months! I've never heard that before when I've bought it previously. When I asked why, she said it's because it's addictive. I am definitely not addicted to it, my sleep has got pretty bad since menopause, and Nytol is one thing that helps me fall asleep. I only use it occasionally.

Was she right to say this? I'm really confused...

You do know how many people don't know how to take basic meds properly and think taking 8 a day means it's okay to take more at night or to take for months or that 1 every 90 mins is okay then ....how many know that you can get paracetamol headache?

Had to laugh a few months ago, which really hurt as
I’d pulled the intercostal muscles on my right hand side.

Decided I needed something a bit stronger than paracetamol, as the pain was debilitating, and so went to Boots to get some codeine.

It was quite a job getting them to sell it to me, despite being an OTC medication, and they said that I must use it for three days only. Said that on the packet too.

So, I was somewhat surprised to discover that the pack contained 32 tablets i.e. fours days worth 🤷‍♀️

I just lied when they asked if I was pregnant when I wanted low dose aspirin. That's why I'm taking it too, as advised by my consultant. I buy online now for a bit cheaper to save hassle! Amazon sells little tubes of hydrocortisone for cheap also.

I know they’re not. Just mentioning that I’ve been referred to my GP to investigate the underlying reasons for my insomnia many, many times and, well, I still suffer from insomnia 🤷🏻‍♀️. There are only so many print outs on sleep hygiene one can tolerate. So I buy melatonin from the US, and Nytol one a night from the pharmacy, and that’s just enough to stop me going insane from lack of sleep.

Phenergan from Boots is stronger - you can't get hold of the 10mg at all but you can get the 25mg no problem, just cut it in half

It's magic

There is of course Nytol Herbal, no antihistamine. Works very well with some people.

What a cheek though, you might not want to even go on HRT, and trying to work out what you might need and not give you other side effects and symptoms is a minefield so you might just want to treat one or two symptoms with something like Nytol

I buy a box of codeine about every three months and they get me over the worst couple of days of my period. I have to psych myself up to go into the pharmacy as it's like some kind of inquisition - when did you last have them? What's it for? You can only use them for three days etc.

I know they're only doing their job but they always seem to start from a place of suspicion, rather than understanding it's a perfectly normal thing for people to ask for. I usually leave feeling like a naughty schoolgirl as though I've done something wrong by asking to buy a legal product.

@Youdontevengohere - I can imagine. I used to sleep like a log then meno hit !

Yes I remember the good old times when you used to be able to buy a bottle of paracetamol 100 pills . These bloody regulations are stupid , I remember not being sold Nytol twenty five years ago when my son was young and I was struggling to sleep . They're just going out of their way to be assholes .

@KrisAkabusi Christ, what happened in 1997?!

All those sleeping aids containing Diphenhydramine are increasingly linked to dementia. And lots of other medical issues. So chemist doing his or her job.

Yeah right 😂 people are great at regulating themselves.

I can’t pre tend to know anything about the topic but Google threw me this - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK374099/#:~:text=Analysis%20of%20mortality%20data%20for,%2Dinduced%20hepatotoxicity%20(61%25%20fewer

You know what’s also linked to medical issues/mental health problems/shorter life expectancy? Lack of sleep.
I get that pharmacists are doing their job, I have no issue with it at all. But there is a reason some of us take long term meds to help us sleep. It’s the lesser of the evils, in some cases.

Bladder or urinary problems: Diphenhydramine can worsen symptoms of bladder problems. If you have a history of bladder problems, discuss with your doctor how this medication may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of this medication, and whether any special monitoring is needed.
Drowsiness/reduced alertness: Avoid driving or operating machinery until you have determined that you do not become drowsy during the day or experience impaired mental or physical abilities while taking this medication. Alcohol, sedatives, and pain medications can increase the side effects (e.g., drowsiness, inability to concentrate) of this medication. Do not undertake any activities that require alertness until you know how this medication affects you.
Glaucoma: This medication may cause the symptoms of glaucoma (increased pressure in the eye) to become worse. If you have glaucoma, discuss with your doctor how this medication may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of this medication, and whether any special monitoring is needed. Report any changes in vision to your doctor as soon as possible while you are taking this medication.
Heart disease: Although not common, diphenhydramine can cause changes to heart rhythm and blood pressure. If you have any heart conditions, ask your health care professional if any special monitoring is required.
Lung problems: This medication can make breathing problems worse. If you have lung problems such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), discuss with your doctor how this medication may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of this medication, and whether any special monitoring is needed.
Medical conditions: For some people, insomnia is caused by other medical conditions. If you have trouble sleeping for longer than 2 weeks, contact your doctor before taking this medication.
Thyroid disease: If you have thyroid disease, discuss with your doctor how this medication may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of this medication, and whether any special monitoring is needed.
Pregnancy: This medication should not be used during pregnancy unless the benefits outweigh the risks. If you become pregnant while taking this medication, contact your doctor immediately.
Breast-feeding: This medication may pass into breast milk. If you are a breast-feeding mother and are taking diphenhydramine, it may affect your baby. Talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding.
Children: Diphenhydramine is not recommended for use as a sleep aid for children less than 12 years of age.
Seniors: Seniors may experience more side effects such as dizziness, sedation, and blood pressure effects from diphenhydramine. Talk to your doctor before taking this medication.

I'd just go to another shop and if they ask the same question, just say oh back last summer

Dh has codeine for headaches but he left them at work once so when I was in tesco I went to get some. She said I'm sure I sold this to you very recently. I expaland she said she couldn't give more.
I went to a local pharmacy and got it there.

?????
How did they explain it?

I was refused Nytol last week because I also bought zinc, magnesium and vitamin d in Boots 3 for 2 vitamins. The over-zealous woman concluded that due to the 'many' vitamins I was buying 'for energy' that I was struggling with stress so should visit my GP instead.

I went to the pharmacy 3 shops down and got my Nytol.

OP I would think it is much more likely that menopause is causing sleep issues rather than thyroid. Ask to see another GP to discuss. I hope you get sorted. (From a menopausal Dr on thyroxine.)

Oh good grief! I'm sure these pp are just trying to do their best but that's just ridiculous!

Your judgement re: the common sense and IQ of a typical Brit is heavily exaggerated.

You can buy promethazine aka phenergan OTC. It will help you sleep.

And the advice to ' just visit your GP' would be fine if it wasn't so bloody difficult to get an actual face to face appointment with a GP!!!

Maybe you should actually try to work in a pharmacy before you call them assholes, I've been a dispenser for 12 years, and yes I've never heard about limiting nytol to every 6 months, not sure where that's come from, but we can only do our job as were told, what would we gain by being assholes to people?

Always lie. People clasp their pearls when you say that but it's the only way.

I use piriteze for peri insomnia. Wouldn't sleep otherwise.