Melatonin has stopped working

[WeAreThePigs]

Just wondering what my options are now?

DS is 10 and he’s been on it since his 4th birthday.

at my wits end,
So worried about his
mental health and mine too

what’s the next level of treatment when this fails?

Having a break from the melatonin then restarting is likely to be the first thing many HCPs suggest. If that doesn’t work, increasing the dose.

Then if that doesn’t work and you are under a paediatrician/CAMHS they may try another medication e.g. promethazine.

He literally cannot sleep last night 2am for example

the frightening thing is: I’d it doesn’t work it doesn’t seem like anything else is available

I am so worried about his mental health

seeing a psychologist soon, just waiting for hear back from them

Are are other medications that can be used, but increasing the dosage and a break are likely to be trialled first.

I the past year he’s gone from 2mg a night to 6mg

he’s a small
9 year old

I also worry about testosterone disruption so don’t want to be cracking up the drugs really

it’s absolutely awful

I might sound dramatic but I can’t fathom a night where he might not take it at all, it would be so tough on him.

So grateful the nights will draw in soonish

Obviously his dosage has been increased by the paediatrician not me 😂

Melatonin is considered one of the safer medications. As DS is already taking 6mg some HCPs won’t go higher anyway. If the melatonin isn’t working currently then not taking it for a short break might not result in anything worse than to what you are currently experiencing.

Other medications are prescribed to younger DC, so that wouldn’t be a problem.

what are the options then if melatonin fails?

Miraculously he’s fast asleep 👀
2 melatonin and a long bath and porridge for dinner which he always find a comfort when sick

There’s other medication e.g. promethazine or alimemazine that can be prescribed, or in extreme situations more hardcore medications such as low dose clonidine.

You could ask for a referral to a sleep clinic.

Thank you, that’s really reassuring. I have been worrying about where we go next.