Sleep Clinic

[Ephemera]

Hi, finally got an appointment for NHS Sleep Clinic (August), only been waiting 9 months. Has anybody had any experience of the one at Southmead Hospital, Bristol. Not expecting much from the appointment. But worth trying now an appointment has come.

[Joolsg]

Good luck and tell us what happens.By the way, there is an NHS ruling that you can see a GP out of your area to get around 'red listed' medication. If you can find an NHS surgery that

1. Is registering new patients, and

2. Will prescribe Buprenorphine if a specialist confirms it's suitable.

I know this has been the issue in the past. The specialist in London recommended Buprenorphine. It worked and then the local GP surgery would not prescribe.

nhs.uk/nhs-services/gps/reg...

[Ephemera in reply to Joolsg]

Hi Jools. Peter went on Buprenorphine for a while but the side effects were too bad to stay on it, especially breathing problems. Now back on pregablin 250mg at night. Some nights he gets sleep, sometimes not. It seems with most meds for this that after he has been on them for a while they stop working and doses have to be increased. With Buprenorphine it was going to get above 800mcg a day and the GP did not want to increase above this along with side effects he was suffering.

[Joolsg in reply to Ephemera]

Ahh. Totally understand. I do hope they find something that helps without the adverse side effects.