Need sleep. What's the next step?

[minical]

I've found myself in a bit of a state this year (due to various ongoing problems), needing some meds to keep me calm and get a decent nights sleep. No problem for my old GP to do.

Unfortunately, she retired, someone who knew me for over 20 years and now I'm stuck.

I've tried other GP's and surgery's to be in for a rude awakening. Times must have changed as I am treated with suspicion (my take on it) when I explain my circumstances and what worked for me. They can see my records, see what I've had, the why's and for how long, yet it's not good enough.

I've read about how Doc's are shying away from any type of sleep meds and things to calm you down, but I didn't think it was this bad!

I've tried OTC and herbal remedies but they either didn't work, or worked to an extent, or not at all.

I really don't know what my next step is. Something that will help and stop my time being wasted. I'm not attacking anyone, but try being being nice to Doc's when you're running on empty and you get brushed off! They still get paid and I'm sent on my way.

How about CBT for insomnia?

I need to get a good Doc first to even want to explore options with me. Is this a problem with the NHS?

I don't know what I need to say or do as it's all there for them to read. Can I see a specialist without a GP referral?

One pharmacist I spoke to said if a GP can't help they should send me to someone who can. I don't understand this at all.

You could see a specialist privately without a GP referral. But to go on the NHS you would need to be referred by a GP.