Melatonin and 12 year old (uk)

[J7223j]

Hi there

Since my son was young he has always struggled to get to sleep, once asleep he is fine but its the actual getting to sleep. We don't have any gadgets in room or screen time way before an hour before bed. The things I've tried are as follows
sitting chatting to him, reading to him, sums, no sweets, lavender sleep cream from lush, baths before bed.

We have consulted a sleep helpline and been to the doctors - we get told all of the above things and were told to put him to bed later (he's just turned 12). We put his bedtime back to 10pm - waste of time - he's still takes between 1 and 2 hours to get to sleep - my hubby has to be up for work at 5:30 am - this does not work for us as a family and definitely does not work for my son as he is looking increasing tired in the morning and its getting harder and harder to get him up.

I also feel it is affecting his school work as he lacks focus (although not all the time).

I feel if we can get on top of him getting to sleep quicker he will get a better nights sleep - when I go in and check on him I often find that he's looks likes he has been tossing and urning for ages (bedsheets all twisted - him in strange positions). We have change his bed, lived in a different house - turned the heating down as he's complained of being hot before. Black out linings his bedroom looks onto countryside - no noise.

I've done some googling as not really felt that the doctors have listened too much and I really want to get this sorted for him as I think it will make him a lot happier too. I have read that Melatonin can help kids who struggle to get to sleep - Is this available through GP practices in the UK - I obviously don't want to give my son anything that isn't medically approved. Does anyone have any experience with this? I've spoken with my son to check he's not anxious about anything and tbh this isn't something just started its been going on for years. Any advice much appreciated or indeed if anyone can suggest anywhere we might go to get help with this that would also be appreciated - we are in Scotland.

My son takes melatonin each night prescribed by his consultant, who has told us (in our area) only consultants can prescribe it. We only get issued two weeks at a time & can only pick up prescription from consultant and hospital pharmacy.

Not sure that helps, but you could ask your GP for a referral to a consultant to help unless in your area the GP can prescribe?

In my area GPs can’t prescibe it, my son has been on it for a few years and we have to get the prescription from his paediatrian every month

Our GP was able to prescribe it but only after it had been prescribed a couple of times by him and the consultant had to authorise the GP to prescribe.

thank you how have you found it? Are there any side effects? Does it suppress them at all in the day?

I have an appointment with yet another GP this week (the last one really wasn't sympathetic in any way or helpful) I think I will ask if I can get my son referred - which will probably get this dragging on for about another 6 months - My son is getting to the point himself where he is saying he wishes he could get to sleep at night as he's getting increasingly tired. I think I may also try dimming the lights in the living room in the evenings - I really want this sorted out for my son once and for all. Summer is even harder as it can be light still at midnight here and even with blackout blinds light still comes in. He's a very capable boy but I defiantly think the tiredness if affecting his focus at school now - was upsetting that the previous doctor I saw almost suggested I was trying to get drugs or something to drug my kids up so I can get peace or something

https://www.medicinesforchildren.org.uk/melatonin-sleep-disorders

There is some information here.

thank you thats useful - i am looking forward to the doctors appointment this week to try and move things forward and help my son get on track with his sleeping.

else with a teenager with delayed sleep disorder? http://www.mumsnet.com/Talk/sleep/3321756-anybody-else-with-a-teenager-with-delayed-sleep-disorder

You might also want to read this thread.

Fingers crossed the link works

Thanks so much somewhereovertheroad - always help to know your not the only one going through this - how is your daughter getting along with the melatonin?

We had to wait until the paediatrician prescribed it, which she only did after she diagnosed autism

My daughter gets on well with the Melatonin. However we don't find it's effective.

Melatonin is only licensed for over 55s with insomnia in the UK, so for children it's prescribed "off-label" on a named patient basis for children, which is why it can only be prescribed by Consultant Paediatricians. Some GPs will be happy to take a written request from a Paediatrician to continue the prescription unless otherwise instructed, but as they are the one prescribing it in that case, and therefore it is their GMC licence they are prescribing it under, they may feel that it is not within their scope of practice, and refuse, deferring it back to the Paediatrician to do so.

There are two main types of melatonin prescribed in the UK for children. Immediate release liquid melatonin (Kidnaps), which has to be prepared on special order, takes about 5 working days and costs £95 per 100ml (100mg) bottle, and sustained-release tablets (Circadin) which are £15.39 per 30 2mg tablets.

There are certain foods which are melatonin-rich:

Fruits and vegetables (tart cherries, corn, asparagus, tomatoes, pomegranate, olives, grapes, broccoli, cucumber)

Grains (rice, barley, rolled oats)

Nuts and Seeds (walnuts, peanuts, sunflower seeds, mustard seeds, flaxseed)

Milk & almond milk.

So dietary changes/tweaks are worth considering for pre-bed snacks.

Sorry if I've not read the thread properly but do you let him read a book on his own with a low lamp next to his bed? This is what really makes me tired! I was going to suggest kalms night tablets but they are for adults only. How about other natural remedies? Would it be worth considering giving him drops of rescue remedy (age 12 plus) and telling him it will help him fall asleep? How much fresh air and exercise is he getting?

You could contact your local school nurse service, look on Google.. their not based in schools anymore. Theý probably won't do a face to face to start with but will be able to talk in detail with you about your concerns and things to consider.

Thanks you I will consider changing pre bed snack its usually toast or cereal or banana. I have been to see a doctor today and she suffused Melatonin to try but needs to see my son and get him referred she was very sympathetic - especially when I explained that we had parents evening this week and was told by virtually every teacher that he's struggling with paying attention and is under achieving because of this. Felt I wanted to see the same doctor as felt that she listened - first appointment I can get is next Thursday - will keep you posted. He is an active boy - he has a lamp in his room and does read.

OP, we have had some success with a very similar issue by using very bright light (a SAD lamp, basically) consistently at 7.30 in the mornings. And no lie ins at weekends ()
Was suggested by a sleep expert at my work. Resets the body clock apparently. Worth a try?

Sorry forgot to tag you, @J7223j