Melatonin?

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I have constant insomnia, haven't slept more than five hours a night unless sedated for over twenty years. My gp has offered to look into melatonin treatment for me, I thought this only available for over 55,i am not, short term in UK, so trying to find information. I am looking into online supplement supply, with gp support, if she can not prescribe what I need, together we decided it needs to be multi format, so mix of instant&, time released supplement, to see if my sleep increases. I do all sleep hygiene methods, use camomile tea, no caffeine after 3pm, etc, so please do not go through list again. Does anyone else use melatonin, good or bad experiences, thank you

In Canada you can buy anywhere between 0.3mg to 10mg in any drugstore or supplement store without a prescription. I only ever use 10mg and even then I build tolerance to it like I do with every other sedating substance I have ever taken in my life.

In UK much stricter licencing rules, gp prescribed it off licence, 2mg instant as time release not approved here. It has made such a difference instead of midnight to 4am, I am now able to sleep 10pm to 4am, only allowed four week course, unless appeal to local authority, so that will have be next step, all for a good night sleep! My gp has also found reputable site so if turned down I will go through them, and keep gp informed. Sedatives just do not work, I still sleep only four hours just can't function next day, as still so drugged.
In UK it is as much about finding a gp , aware of h.f autism, with time to listen and prescribe to actual needs as it is fighting for right medication. I have to instist on seeing my named gp each time, not locum, so that care continues, rather than start again with cycle of anti depressants and sedatives, even with warnings not to prescribe certain drugs due to psychotic reaction, if see different gp they do not have time to read notes, so my gp given me a typed list I keep with me to check before accepting prescriptions. I am lucky my gp is amazing, not all so lucky.

Have you looked into the med Rozerem/Ramelteon?

As melatonin working, and I have such a dramatic reaction to many drugs. I am reluctant to change things. Most sedatives, anti depressants end up leaving me sucidal, or so out of reality that I am danger to myself. Most bizarre was police found me up a tree talking to it! I am fine once the drug out of my system. I only have mild depression and anxiety, it is insomnia that is very bad. I am quite small, 7 and 1/2 stone, under five foot, along with sensitivity to smaller quantities of drugs it is just not worth the risk.

I use melatonin regularly for sleep. I take 5mg every night, about fifteen or so minutes before I go to bed. I've only ever had good experiences with it, but I've known people who haven't had such good results. My grandmother tried to take it one night, and it made her stomach hurt all night. And my bestfriend can only take 2.5mg a night, or she's really sad the next day.

The UK sounds like a nanny state hell when it comes to medications if they make you beg for something as harmless as melatonin more than 4 times a week.

If you have such severe reactions I don't think anyone is going to be able to give you any useful advice of substances to take for sleep.

I had Circadin (slow release melatonin) prescribed by a (UK) psychiatrist. Helped like nothing else but after several months hibernating I found it made me more depressed so I stopped taking it. Something to watch out for.

I love the UK free health system, it might have limitations but so do so systems. I do disagree on melatonin policy of only four weeks at a time, as I do need it, but can get round it by buying it in so at least I got to test it out before expense of own supply.
My gp warned me about hibernation and lower mood, but thank you I will keep on eye on it, I have health review every two weeks with gp as mental health in my area, say politely that autism isn't covered by them, so refuse to see me unless I have bad reaction, then they just stop meds and discharge.
I am still waking at four, but six hours for me is amazing.

I took Melatonin for awhile and helped my sleep some and the I statrted having strange dreams. I have learned that the dosage advised to help sleep is much lower than what I was taking (dose was something like 10 mg and 2 mg is advised to help sleep). Not exactly sure what correct dosage is and likely best to ask a medical provider.

Melatonin sure does give you some vivid dreams. Not a problem I guess if you don't suffer from nightmares.

I take 10 mg of melatonin sometimes with zinc and magnesium to help me sleep. It's effective about 80% of the time; pretty good stuff. I have been sleeping a lot better lately though and don't need the aid as much. This is good news as I've had trouble sleeping for most of my life.