New Paed. refusing to prescribe melatonin

[Lillypond]

I've just had a phone call from DS's Paed. regarding my request for a new supply of melatonin. DS has been on 2mg melatonin for the past 10 months after 3 years of persistent wakeful nights and bedtime meltdowns. It hasn't been perfect and he still wakes during the night but the best thing is that it gets him to bed at a reasonable time and saves me going nuts at the time in the day when I'm at my tiredest.

New Paed. is refusing to prescribe as he believes it's his job to deal with debvelopmental/behavioural issues and the GP's job to address his sleep problems. I have to ask the GP to prescribe it (which I'm sure I've read on here before that most GP's can't/won't prescribe). If the GP refuses then I have to insist on a referal to a sleep clinic. How bloody long is that gonna take? I'm so pissed off about this. I requested this new prescription last monday and it's taken him over a week to call me back, so I'm now down to the last capsule.

I don't really have any objections to going to the sleep clinic but I think he's being a total arse not to let us continue with melatonin until we actually get there.

Anyone else has this? The previous 2 Paed.s have been happy to prescribe. I don't suppose I can do much about it, but needed to rant.

Can you chnage pead? GP's can't prescribe it usually. Is your son autistic? Any pead who knows anything about autism will know that sleep problems in autism are often not behaviuoral- but physiological in origin-. If he thinks autistic behaviours are under concious control then I would try and swap him if at all possible.

There will be loads out there on autism and melatonin and physiology- perhaps worth sending him some stuff.

you can buy otc in the US if you know anyone who is going

Snap, CD! I was about to suggest this, too.

in fact I have some in my cupboard which I bought for jetlag which never materialised. I could post to you

P.S., I agree, this paed sounds like a twat and it seems alarm bells are already going off in your head.

That doesn't bode well for a long-term professional relationship.

I'd get shot of him. He sounds like a stuck up git.

I have no idea what happened to my spelling there!

I am in the usa - you seem to be able to but it on line here - its not very expensive. You could see if they will ship to uk. If not we are coming over in august - I could bring some with me and post it if you like - but this is obviously a short term solution - you need to sort out the paed. situation.

Yes JJ2, DS has autism. I'm not sure about changing Paed.s. This guy is here on a temporary basis covering for sick leave. He's seen DS once and commented that he feels his DX is inappropriate and he fits into communication disorder/AS better. He seemed like a nice guy when we met him but he was bloody rude on the phone. Good idea about sending some info on sleep disturbances and autism. I think it's bloody ridiculous to suggest it's the GP's responsibility. He seems to be saying that melatonin is too 'dangerous' to prescribe without regular reviews, but surely that's the bloody point of having a Paed. Someone who knows more about DS's DX than a General Practitioner'.

Thanks for the suggestions of ordering it from the US. I'll look into it.

CD - Is it 2mg melatonin? My email is [email protected]. If you can help me out with this I'd be sooo grateful. Thanks

AS - Thanks for the offer. If we're still waiting for the sleep clinic in August and still without a prescription, I'll let you know.

Thanks Fio, I'll have a look.

I will look tonight, sorry I have no idea!

www.biovea.net/product_list.asp?CID=7

As far as I know they are UK based.

I aren't sure the pead sounds much cop, can you change at all?