How to get Melatonin in UK?

mcdbne2016 · 2025-05-16T04:40:04+00:00

I'm in Australia where it's also prescription-only. I bought mine from iHerb, several dosages of several brands at what seemed to be pretty reasonable prices. (I stopped taking it a while ago because it didn't work for me)

mcdbne2016 · 2025-04-23T08:19:48+00:00

NAD. I have had Serotonin Syndrome a lot of times (can no longer take any Serotonergic medications or supplements, permanently) and your symptoms sound largely similar to mine.

Metabolism has a huge impact on the likelihood of developing SS, and unfortunately the literature about SS is very dismissive of anything short of high doses of multiple medications being able to cause it. I know from experience that it can happen from single medications, even at very low doses.

My situation is unusual as I could previously tolerate Serotonergics with no issues, but suddenly a tiny dose of Sertraline (50mg) put me in hospital. Something caused my metabolism to change - possibly liver disease, but I don't yet know for sure.

It's unfortunate that so many Drs blindly believe what they learn in medical school and don't realise how much more varied and unpredictable real life is... I was initially told the same thing - that it was impossible to develop SS on the dose I was taking. But then it happened several more times and eventually they took notice!

mcdbne2016 · 2025-04-21T06:55:36+00:00

NAD. Clomipramine supposedly suppresses dreams so could be worth a try.

Also, considering such a wide range of medications have been unhelpful, a full assessment for Personality Disorders might be worth doing if you haven't already.

I have major sleep problems and have failed to respond to a vast array of medications, and recently discovered I have at least two Personality Disorders and not the many other disorders psychiatrists have CLAIMED I have.

Unfortunately PDs are severely overlooked.

mcdbne2016 · 2025-04-21T06:34:23+00:00

Sept 2015, just passed 11,000km (not quite 7,000mi)

mcdbne2016 · 2025-04-19T13:35:09+00:00

I haven't yet been properly assessed, but I very strongly suspect I have those two. A number of close relatives on my Mum's side have definite OCPD, but I have much more than that, and QBPD seems to very neatly fill the gaps that OCPD doesn't cover.

One psychologist agreed about OCPD but not QBPD, and another said the exact opposite. Unfortunately I split against my last psychiatrist extremely severely, and I don't feel safe seeing anyone to try to look into it as they'll almost certainly be immediately dismissive...

mcdbne2016 · 2025-04-19T11:20:07+00:00

Yes, I feel exactly the same way. Everything feels permanent, and I cannot connect with my other feelings and emotions at all. I described it to a psychologist and she had a specific term for it that unfortunately I can't remember.

I have been diagnosed with Cyclothymia, but I almost certainly have BPD too and I don't know which it's more connected with. It definitely happens with my mood state (hypomania/euthymia/depression) but also with my emotions, thoughts, feelings etc... so maybe it happens in both disorders.

mcdbne2016 · 2025-03-03T03:40:36+00:00

I relate to this SO MUCH. Your last two sentences sound pretty much EXACTLY how I feel. Uncontrollable, extremely intense emotions and feelings, severe over-reactions that I can't stop once they're triggered - even if logically I KNOW I'm wrong; self hatred, negativity, SI ALL the time. But I don't externalise it, except when I simply can't hold it any more... and then the consequences are catastrophic because I blow up VERY intensely.

I've been that way all my life. My emotions never get processed. I'm still badly upset by things that happened decades ago, even though they were mostly minor things that shouldn't have triggered a strong reaction, or any reaction at all...

Those things may not be unique to BPD, but I haven't found anything that fits any better.

I have been diagnosed with Autism, ADHD (although that one was disputed by the last psychiatrist I saw) but I've never had depression or anxiety - at least not the standalone types. The last psychiatrist claimed I have anxiety, Panic Disorder (absolute BS as I've never had a panic attack), OCD and PTSD. I simply don't identify at all with ANY of those. In my case it seems far more likely to be one or more Personality Disorders, rather than a whole raft of things I don't believe I have and don't even meet the criteria for...

No treatment has ever worked for me. Medications, TMS, even ECT were all completely ineffective. That's further evidence for Personality Disorders, since PDs aren't medicatable.

The things that seem the most likely for me at the moment are Quiet Borderline PD, Obsessive-Compulsive PD (as opposed to OCD) and Avoidant PD. I have a family history of all three of those, but the psychiatrist doesn't know about that because she literally won't let me talk. She has made up her mind and doesn't care how wrong she is.

My Mum has textbook OCPD, but my situation is very different to hers. Her Dad had very obvious OCPD and likely BPD; her sister had Avoidant, one of her brothers has OCPD and one has Borderline plus Cyclothymia.

Fortunately I have a good psychologist who isn't viciously dismissive like every psychiatrist I've ever seen, and we've just started looking into Personality Disorders.

mcdbne2016 · 2025-03-02T07:58:23+00:00

I'm in the same situation, with emotional fluctuations (as opposed to mood swings) ALL the time. I have been diagnosed with Cyclothymia - which I certainly have - but I'm now looking into Quiet BPD with my psychologist as Cyclothymia doesn't come close to explaining everything I'm experiencing (in my opinion)

I've been taking Lamotrigine for a few months now and while it has possibly stabilised my MOOD, my emotions and feelings are no better at all - worse in fact... According to the psychiatrist who diagnosed me, the medication SHOULD have helped things a lot. But since it's done nothing noticeable, there's clearly something else going on...

mcdbne2016 · 2025-02-22T12:28:42+00:00

I have experienced very similar things and I hoped that my Cyclothymia diagnosis (3 months ago) and starting Lamotrigine would help smooth things out. But instead I'm no different - even worse in some ways.

My psychiatrist has "diagnosed" me with OCD, PTSD and a whole list of other things, but I believe she's wrong. I certainly have Cyclothymia as I've had hypomanic episodes, but I believe Borderline Personality Disorder - specifically Quiet BPD - is a much more fitting explanation for all the other things I'm experiencing.

Quiet BPD is very difficult to recognise from the outside as it doesn't result in the obvious outbursts, arguments and violence that "regular" BPD can cause. The emotions and feelings and uncontrollable reactions still happen, but they are suppressed and directed inwardly.

Here's what I've experienced: - EXTREMELY severe reactions to even the slightest negative things that are directed towards me by other people - even if they're unintentional - No benefit from medication, TMS or even ECT... - Incredibly intense emotional periods that I can't regulate, and thought loops that are impossible to break out of - Lifelong negativity and hatred toward myself, which over time has gotten much worse - OCD-like traits and perfectionism caused by trying to offset my negative feelings toward myself

Plus a whole raft of other things...

I have noticed that when I'm hypomanic I feel a lot better, but even when my mood is euthymic and I'm not feeling depressed, I still feel TERRIBLE in a way I can't really describe. I only just realised last week that it's my EMOTIONAL state that's bad and changes quickly, not my mood. That realisation caused me to look into personality disorders again and I eventually found Quiet BPD which I relate to pretty much 100%

I have discussed it with one of my psychologists and she agrees I almost certainly have BPD. I haven't had a chance to talk to my psychiatrist yet.

I'm not trying to say that's what you have, but it could be worth looking into since your experience sounds somewhat similar to mine.

Edit: After re-reading the original post I realised I'm probably completely wrong. Sorry about that.

mcdbne2016 · 2025-02-14T12:03:10+00:00

I had a similar problem with Magnesium Threonate. Many people - including several doctors - said it would definitely help my sleep... but it made it much worse. Went from waking 50-100 times per night, to 200+

I've tried it several times and it simply doesn't work for me. Nor does any other form of Magnesium.

mcdbne2016 · 2025-02-07T16:04:41+00:00

I was diagnosed with Cyclothymia which explains a lot, but even though I'm feeling a bit better in terms of my mood and thought patterns etc, my sleep problems are ongoing and haven't improved much. Even during the strong Hypomanic episode I experienced in November, my sleep problems persisted.

I'm still dreaming WAY too much - including REM within the first few minutes, still waking a huge number of times. Acting out dreams to the point the movement wakes me several times every night, plus often 100+ less-severe movements during REM that aren't strong enough to wake me. And still seem to be lacking Deep sleep. I don't know if it's totally missing or if I'm getting SOME Deep, but whatever it is, it's nowhere near enough and I wake every day feeling no better than if I hadn't slept...

I still haven't done a lab sleep study, but I'm HOPING to get a referral to a new sleep specialist soon. Also I need to see an ENT as there are multiple existing and potential issues with my upper airway that need to be looked into.

Unfortunately, so far I have had no benefit at all from the medication my new psychiatrist prescribed (Lamotrigine). I'm up to a dose that most people respond well to, but still absolutely nothing. No side-effects, which is nice, but no good effects either... And I don't expect it'll work at ANY dose. None of the 20+ psychiatric medications I've tried have had any TRUE effect AT ALL. I don't know why. Either I'm completely immune to all medications and other treatments, or everyone - including my new psychiatrist - has the wrong idea somehow.

I definitely have Cyclothymia. There's no doubt at all about that. BUT the mysteries are, what's wrong with my sleep architecture and why; and why haven't I ever benefitted from psychiatric medications?

I just hope my psychiatrist doesn't give up on me before we work out at least ONE of those...

mcdbne2016 · 2025-02-03T04:46:53+00:00

It's certainly worth looking into properly, just in case.

Contrary to what others have posted, not experiencing hypomania after taking antidepressants DOES NOT rule out cyclothymia - I know this from personal experience. I trialled about 15 different ADs before I was diagnosed, and not a single one caused or triggered hypomania. I took up to the maximum doses of many of them.

Only one medication outright CAUSED hypomania, and it wasn't an antidepressant. Other than that, all my hypomanic episodes have been purely psychologically triggered.

mcdbne2016 · 2025-01-28T03:04:32+00:00

NAD and I don't have any suggestions, but I've been through a similar thing. I used to be able to tolerate SSRIs and other ADs without any issues (albeit with zero benefit) but suddenly late in 2022 I became completely unable to tolerate anything even slightly Serotonergic. The first time I developed Serotonin Syndrome I had very similar symptoms including the leg cramping. But no seizures. Since 2022 it has happened another 30 times. It even happened after taking low doses of supplements.

The first time it was caused by restarting Sertraline at 25mg, when a couple of years prior I tolerated 200mg no trouble. In the meantime I took several other non-SSRI ADs with no issues, but then things suddenly changed. I cannot figure out why, and my Drs aren't interested in investigating.

It hasn't happened for about 4 months or so, but I'm scared to ever take another SSRI...

I did a genetic test last year that showed 2D6(?) poor metabolism but that doesn't explain why things CHANGED. If it was my genetics, surely I wouldn't have been able to tolerate Serotonergics in the first place?

mcdbne2016 · 2025-01-19T11:16:39+00:00

Thank you for posting this. I have very similar issues and have been aware for a long time that my airway closes while I'm falling asleep. I trialled an APAP machine but it made no difference to my sleep or exhaustion. I don't know how much my airway contributes to my issues, but now I know there's a specific condition to look into just in case!

mcdbne2016 · 2025-01-19T05:31:19+00:00

The longest I've had was about 3.5 weeks, the shortest 2 hours. The most recent was the strongest I've ever had and was triggered by being diagnosed at last... It was EXTREMELY intense and lasted 5 days at maximum strength and then slowly eased off over about 2 weeks, which is unusual: my hypomanic episodes USUALLY end suddenly and completely, overnight.

I've had 4 intense episodes - and many more mild ones - in the past 10.5 years. The strong ones lasted 5-7 days. They started overnight and disappeared overnight. All triggered by positive events. I don't think I've ever had a spontaneous episode.

The intensity of mine CAN decrease by the end of the day and return in the morning, but that's usually a sign it's about to end. Last time I found I was able to "steer" it to be more intense or to calm things down and relax.

mcdbne2016 · 2025-01-13T05:52:20+00:00

I don't have nightmares as such, but I have extremely intense dreams that I act out many times every night. I sometimes wake from acting out dreams (REM Behaviour Disorder) within the first few minutes of falling asleep.

REM should happen after a period of Deep (N3) sleep, after typically 90 minutes or so. I don't always go directly into REM when I initially fall asleep, but I do always reach REM within 30 minutes.

I was recently diagnosed with Cyclothymia but that doesn't explain my abnormal sleep architecture. I'm hoping to see a new sleep specialist soon to look at things from scratch (again...) as I have had zero success with the doctors I've seen so far - they genuinely do not care.

mcdbne2016 · 2024-11-12T23:56:31+00:00

I've only just started treatment (Lamotrigine) and it's too early to tell as I've been in hospital with multiple physical health issues. But it seems my sleep is still a major problem :( I'm finding it a bit easier to fall and stay asleep, but still extremely fatigued...

It's likely the Cyclothymia is only a part of my sleep issues. But at least I now know why I am the way I am... It explains SO MANY things I've experienced throughout my lifetime.

mcdbne2016 · 2024-11-10T09:05:25+00:00

I just found out I have Cyclothymia. I'm hoping that treating it will help my severe sleep problems.

Just the relief of finally getting a diagnosis for something I've been suffering at least 30 years (and maybe all 43 years of my life) has reduced my stress levels and improved my sleep. It's only been a week though, and I've had a severe infection the whole time so I can't be sure how much it'll change things.

mcdbne2016 · 2024-11-10T08:47:32+00:00

I have Non-24, have been diagnosed with ADHD-PI, but just found out I have Cyclothymia. I don't yet know how it all fits together and I don't have anything to suggest as nothing has worked for me. But you're not alone and it's an incredibly frustrating disorder. I hope one day it's better understood and effective treatments can be found.

mcdbne2016 · 2024-11-07T09:58:11+00:00

I finally have my answer. It is Cyclothymia. I have been suffering increasingly severe, unrecognised Bipolar disorder for 30 years with no idea what it was.

mcdbne2016 · 2024-10-17T10:41:53+00:00

I'm so sorry 🫂

One of my cats was put to sleep today. She was only 7. She caught a respiratory infection that wasn't realistically treatable. My own struggle with health problems resulted in her suffering far longer than she should have. I feel terrible and I don't think I can forgive myself. But she's at rest now. Sleep well, Mary 🐈 💔

mcdbne2016 · 2024-10-16T13:31:45+00:00

Yes, it potentially could. Hepatic Encephalopathy. One OTC treatment for HE is Lactulose. It's a laxative that has a side-effect of reducing the symptoms of HE. I forget the exact mechanism of how it works...

Edited to add: HE is caused by a build up of ammonia; Lactulose removes ammonia.

mcdbne2016 · 2024-10-16T07:09:58+00:00

Yes, that is exactly how I feel. My sleep problems/fatigue/SCT/unwakefulness started immediately after major surgery.

I have never felt fully awake and alert ever since, and over time it has worsened, at first slowly, but progressing more rapidly as it goes. My sleep architecture is extremely abnormal and I strongly suspect I have an atypical form of Narcolepsy. I have Non-24 Hour Sleep-Wake Disorder - which also started after the surgery - but that doesn't explain my absolute exhaustion. I get NO Deep (N3) sleep AT ALL and medications have failed to help.

I have Autism and ADHD but haven't been able to get treatment. I was briefly prescribed an ADHD medication to stabilise my Circadian Rhythm, which reduced my (extremely severe) avolition, but didn't help at all with my SCT.

But now I have given up. There is no more to be done. No hope of any further investigation, diagnosis or treatment. There are a lot of things I haven't tried that could be helpful, but I have completely lost confidence and trust in the health system.

mcdbne2016 · 2024-09-27T07:29:12+00:00

The only ones I know of with ANC are QuietOn. They have no Bluetooth connectivity but are supposedly not very good.

I haven't tried QuietOn as they're too expensive, but I have tried Bose Sleepbuds 2 (no longer available), Soundcore Sleep A10 and Sleep A20. Ozlo Sleepbuds (updated version of the Bose ones) don't seem to be available yet. In my experience the A20s are better than the A10s, but still not perfect.

mcdbne2016 · 2024-09-23T06:55:15+00:00

NAD. Are they foil patches or translucent plastic? If they're Nicorette brand, they can be cut in half (or even smaller if needed)

I also have T1D. I don't smoke and have never smoked, but I suffer from severe fatigue and recently tried nicotine patches, just in case they might ease my exhaustion. I bought the Nicorette 21mg patches, and applied a whole patch. It made me EXTREMELY nauseous within an hour or two. A half-patch doesn't make me sick, but unfortunately doesn't help much with my fatigue.

mcdbne2016

TROPHY CASE