Sleep and Medication

[Odieweb]

I've been having problems sleeping through the night which became too much a week ago. The doctor prescribed Melatonin (brand Circadin). 1 x 2mg per night. When I read the fine print that came with the pills it mentions liver issues (which I have don't I with PBC) and autoimmune diseases (which PBC is also). The doctor should have been aware of these things. I have been sleeping much better, but is it okay to take this medication?

[HermansMom]

Certainly a double concern (liver and autoimmune disease) being listed on the label as possible concerns. I don't think anyone here can speak to the safety of a medication or supplement, but I would certainly be questioning your doctor about your findings. Was it your regular family doctor or specialist that said you could take it. I would especially be questioning it if it was your regular doctor and instead be asking your GI Specialist or Hepatologist.

I too have terrible insomnia, have spoken to my doctor and Melatonin was never offered as a solution. He instead referred me to a doctor that specializes in CBD, which I have not tried yet, but will be soon. Good luck. I know how hard it is not to be getting sleep on a consistent basis.

[Ballymahon2 in reply to HermansMom]

I have awful insomnia also.i have anxiety and was put on an antidepressant.can any of our members give us advice for inspmnia

[Odieweb in reply to HermansMom]

Thanks for your reply. Of course I should ask my specialist but haven't seen them for a year. I will try to get a message to them. Or perhaps cease the medication until I can hear from them. My sleep was just getting so bad I was becoming non-functioning.

[butterflyEi]

Camp_Host posted about sleep 6 days ago. You might like to look at the thread. I agree with Odieweb if you can get a message to your specialist via his or her secretary. Maybe a chat with the pharmacist could give you more information. Hope you get it sorted. I am always grateful for a 5 hour stretch sometimes 6 but I regularly listen to sleep guidance recordings on YouTube to achieve that.Best wishes

[Odieweb in reply to butterflyEi]

Yes I had read that thread on sleep. I've tried all sorts of things including meditation, exercising more and so on. I appreciate your reply and as suggested by HermansMom I will try to get a message to my specialist.

[Biddyb]

Most medications warn about taking if you have liver problems but not mention AI so you are right to be wary as already advised I would contact your GP or speak to a pharmacist if you can’t get a reply from your consultant all of which are hard to get hold of especially at this time. Seems that insomnia is common at the moment due to all the things going on and I hope you get sorted. Please let us know what results you get. Shame you missed the PBC foundation slot yesterday with the doctor you could have maybe asked the question it’s usually on a Thursday 2pm Facebook but of course not this week. Good luck

[Odieweb in reply to Biddyb]

Thank you for the reply. I will try to ask on the next forum that they have and will speak to my specialist when I next see them.

[Biddyb in reply to Odieweb]

Are you still battling? Sometimes when we have a lot on our minds I find my insomnia is worse! Hope you get an answer soon.

[Odieweb in reply to Biddyb]

I'm going better at the moment as I'm on holidays so letting usual worries fall away, which is great. Thanks for asking.

[Biddyb in reply to Odieweb]

Good news maybe you can get your body clock back in sync stress certainly doesn’t help very hard in these difficult times. Take care

[Chumito]

Hello! Personally I couldn’t sleep more then a few hours straight because of itching. I can’t stand another medication!!! So I got referred to a Medical Marijuana Foundation. Got an appointment, saw a doctor, and reviewed my options. CBD I has been a life saver. I am member of an oficial Dispensary. Have my doctor and therapist. I only use it in the evening. And I sleep much better. Meaning I better days for my kids and myself. As I always say, check out what works for you. I already take like 8 meds so believe a 9th or 10th was totally out of the question.

Stay strong

[Odieweb in reply to Chumito]

Thank you for your reply. I will investigate other options. Not sleeping well is not one of the options that I would like to keep choosing.

[lilygrower]

Hello,I've had trouble sleeping for many years so was already taking melatonin 2.5mg, a timed release version for years before PBC diagnosis in 2018. In 2019 when I saw the hepatologist at Vanderbilt, we went through all my meds and supplements. She advised I keep taking it because it didn't seem to be causing problems for me and because I need to sleep. So this is a question for your hepatologist, but sometimes it's a balancing act between keeping us as well as possible with the least harm.

Happy Holidays!

🙂

[Odieweb in reply to lilygrower]

Thank you, the balance is important. I'll speak to the specialist when I next see her.