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Original poster

Insomnia help suggestions for elderly person

29 replies

Marie2023 · 02/01/2023 09:20

Hello, I am looking for suggestions for medication for an elderly person with extreme insomnia. She only sleeps a couple of hours a night when her insomnia is bad and it is severely affecting her mental health.

Her GP has suggested the sleep clinic, but she's housebound!

We're desperate for help. Thank you.

OP posts:
LadyEloise1 · 02/01/2023 10:14

It was suggested on Mumsnet you can use a certain type of Magnesium. I can't remember which one.
Personally I didn't find it of much use.
When I really need to sleep I use Nytol One a Night.
However one pharmacist put the fear of God into me when she said be careful using it as whatever ingredient is in it was linked, via anticholinergic blocking effects on the nervous system, to developing Alzheimer's disease.
Piriton and Benadryl are also mentioned in an article I read in the Guardian when I googled.
Sorry I can't do links.

Original poster
Marie2023 · 02/01/2023 10:28

@LadyEloise1 thank you.

OP posts:
Original poster
Marie2023 · 02/01/2023 10:56

Does anybody else have any suggestions? Preferably something that can be prescribed by the GP. She gets so desperate for sleep that she has bought sleeping tablets from the local drug addicts.

Grateful for any help. Thanks. We did ask the GP for Melatonin as it is meant to be a good option for the elderly, but he said it’s not really used in the U.K.

OP posts:
GetOffTheRoof · 02/01/2023 11:01

Does she get much daylight? Her circadian rhythms could be out if she doesn't. Maybe a daylight lamp for use in the daytime would help if she can't be outdoors much?

I bought mine from Lumie - makes sure to declare its for a medical use at the checkout and you'll get the VAT off as it's a recognised medical device.

www.rbhh-specialistcare.co.uk/news/Light-therapy-and-sleep - by way of example.

JustMaggie · 02/01/2023 11:05

I think you can buy melatonin online, but I'm not sure. Has she tried the other things they recommend like cool room temperature, warm bath before bed, etc? My grandma (God rest her soul) used to make me drink a camomile tea if I couldn't fall asleep.

SmokeyPaprika · 02/01/2023 12:47

TV in her bedroom?
I fall asleep in front of the tv a lot.
also would help pass the time.

LadyEloise1 · 02/01/2023 17:26

Lots of people use Melatonin in the UK for sleep. What was her GP thinking !!!
Do you know anyone going to the US as it can be bought otc there.

Felicity42 · 02/01/2023 17:41

Could the GP not prescribe something else like a low dose of antidepressant taken at night.
Can someone go with her to the GP in case she's not making the severity of the situation clear?

MadameCholetsDirtySecret · 02/01/2023 17:46

I find nytol works. No the herbal but the blue pack antihistamine version. I don't use it often but when I'm going through an insomniac phase it works well (a glass of wine helps with its efficacy).

LadyEloise1 · 02/01/2023 18:03

MadameCholetsDirtySecret · 02/01/2023 17:46

I find nytol works. No the herbal but the blue pack antihistamine version. I don't use it often but when I'm going through an insomniac phase it works well (a glass of wine helps with its efficacy).

Yes it works but as I posted earlier it is not recommended for older people or long term use because studies have shown links to Alzheimers Sad

dizzydizzydizzy · 02/01/2023 22:03

Ask the GP if any of her medication could be causing insomnia. I was suffering too and my GP suggested reducing my Propranolol (beta blocker) dose. It worked like magic!

Other things known to work: early morning daylight, having a bedtime routine, going to bed at the same time and getting up at the same time every day, a hot bath an hour before bed, meditation (I use the headspace app). I like music - I find Moonlight Sonata very good because it it kind of slow, rhythmic and soothing, also breathing exercises so you breath out for longer than you breathe in (you can Google this).

stopbeeping · 02/01/2023 22:09

Ask for a course of zopiclone
They should give it to her

Is she in pain? Anything other than the brutal insomnia itself keeping her up?

Ridingthegravytrain · 02/01/2023 22:12

Definitely push the gp to prescribe melatonin. Also could ask for hydroxyzine which is a prescription only antihistamine which promotes relaxation and sleep. Can make you a bit groggy the next day.

Original poster
Marie2023 · 03/01/2023 01:07

@dizzydizzydizzy she is on Propanalol!
@stopbeeping yes her back is very painful.

OP posts:
dizzydizzydizzy · 03/01/2023 07:08

Ah, the power of MN, OP!

KangarooKenny · 03/01/2023 07:11

DM was prescribed phenergan to help with sleep. It’s an antihistamine but makes you drowsy.
I find any antihistamine help me sleep.

Trumpton · 03/01/2023 07:26

Mil was prescribed Melatonin by the Elderly Mental Heath Service. We were looking after her at home and were on our knees with her waking 6 or 7 times a night. It was like magic from taking the first tablet.
She then slept consistently from 7pm to 7am and we were able to continue her care at home ( with a carer coming in an afternoon a week) until her death.
Life saving stuff.
I have some zopiclone from dr for me to use when I get desperate.

pieceofpasta · 03/01/2023 07:34

There are some antidepressants that can be prescribed that have side effects of making you sleepy.

WanttoFit · 03/01/2023 07:44

I’m another one whose GP said Melatonin is not available on prescription and advised me not to buy it online. He gave me Zopiclone but it did not work. So he moved me on to Diazepan and said to take 5mg for three nights only, but that didn’t work either. I googled it and found that you really need to take 10mg for sleep. Since taking the 10mg for three nights I’ve had three great nights sleep for the first time since I had covid four months ago. I dropped to 5mg last night and still slept well. I’ll probably come off now because it’s addictive if taken for long periods. Fingers crossed that this has reset my sleep cycle.

mrsrobin · 03/01/2023 07:51

Melatonin is available from a GP in the UK if the patient is over 55 years of age so I would try again and state this. (You can look it up on NICE). Here is a link but you might have to copy and paste as I don't know the proper way of adding to the thread!
cks.nice.org.uk/topics/insomnia/prescribing-information/melatonin/

HairyKitty · 03/01/2023 07:53

Melatonin is available on prescription for the elderly.
Bonus is that if gp prescribed it as safe with other meds, and then for some reason stops, you would be able to easily legally and cheaply order the same thing from America

HairyKitty · 03/01/2023 07:55

I’m shocked by some of the gp responses, melatonin online is far safer than prescribed sedatives which are only issued for a couple of nights anyway.
As soon as you mention buying online it’s a blanket rule that the doctor has to tell you not to, even if they actually think it’s a good idea.

Greatly · 03/01/2023 07:55

Melatonin doesn't work for more than 2 days for me. The sleep hygiene suggestions from@dizzydizzydizzy are excellent, but if shes anything like my FIL she will just want a pill

LunaTheCat · 03/01/2023 08:14

Other things to consider
? does she have depression- sleep disturbance is very common with depression
? could she have sleep apnoea - You can find online test called Epworth score to do.
? Check other meds aren’t making it worse.
I think good sleep is like good sex… you can’t make it happen.😁- a bit hard to tell elderly woman - but it was an 80 year old who told me this once!

LunaTheCat · 03/01/2023 08:16

Oh another thought…a lot elderly drink, especially if live alone. It makes sleep worse