Experience with Melatonin?

[Lisa N]

My DD's doctor recommended that we try her on Melatonin because she reports waking up several times during the night. Has anyone had experience with this supplement? I'm interested in hearing whether it was helpful or not.
We're going to give it a trial run starting tonight to see how it goes.

[Jiggerz]

Good luck, Lisa...I'd like the know the answer as well.

My CPAP keeps waking me up all night. :)

[gryfonclaw]

I was recently told by my doctor that melatonin isn't good to take cause it messes with our circadian rhythm. I'm a bit skeptical.

[Gostrydr]

Yeah but your doc will give you Ambien or other drugs for your sleep..geessh

In my experience with alot of people using it coming through our health food store, I'd say there is a 70% sucess ratio with it.

I think it helps people STAY asleep more than it helps getting one to sleep.

I like Tryptothan alot better or even Theanine(which is for anxiety) but it seems to help one get to sleep

But I feel the sublingual Melatonin is better than the ingested form.

[gryfonclaw]

Yeah but your doc will give you Ambien or other drugs for your sleep..geessh



He actually hates giving out scripts for sleeping pills- he thinks they're dangerous. :D

He suggested Benedryl.

[dolphinlov]

I take 5 mg melation, and 800 mg magnesium, it has helped immensely with my sleep problems. I used to spend more than half the night tossing and turning, and now I am sleeping much better, much more soundly, and I wake less often.

[JAnn]

I take 3 mg melatonin and 1605 mg valerian and no longer wake up at 3 a.m. with panic attacks.

[TimesTwo]

Presumably because of ketosis, I've been waking up multiple times each night, and staying up for 30 minutes to an hour each time.

I took melatonin a few nights ago. I found 1 mg tablets, and took just half. I felt relaxed and fell asleep without tossing and turning. I did wake up two or three times, but each time I glanced at the clock, and fell right back to sleep. I wasn't even awake long enough to see the minutes change. I felt rested and not at all drowsy the next day. Tonight I'll take 1 mg, and see how that feels.

I would start out with a low dose. I was surprised to find that .5 mg helped.

[LadyC]

i've used melatonin from time to time. the first time i used it, i had extremely vivid 'dreams'... i was in that half twilight state between being awake and asleep, and my dreams were in technicolour and 3D. it was pretty wild LOL... i was a little disappointed when those 'dreams' disappeared once my body adjusted to it.

but it does help me sleep.

i don't believe it's dangerous. melatonin is a chemical naturally produced in our brain which diminishes in production as we age.

[kebaldwin]

http://www.worldhealth.net/p/aadr-melatonin.html

http://www.vitacost.com/articleResults.aspx?Ntk=articles&.y=8&ss=1&.x=11&Ntt=melatonin

http://search.lef.org/search/default.aspx?s=1&QUERY=melatonin

I have great success taking a mixture of amino acids that help build growth hormone. It makes sense because you take this before bed and growth hormone is suppose to be manufactured while sleeping.

http://www.vitacost.com/NSI-Natural-GH-Formula

LadyC is correct in that when you acheive deep sleep your dreams are much better.

You might also try a low glycemic diet, mega multi-vitamin, fish oil, plus more amino acids. You might could get a supplement that combined amino acids.

[JAnn]

Maybe somebody can answer this for me. I am presently taking melatonin and valerian and it really helps with the sleep but can I take 5HTP with it? Any thoughts?

[MizKitty]

LisaN, I tried melatonin a few years back, and honestly couldn't tell a difference.
Then someone recommended Valerian, so tried that, and couldn't tell a any effects from that either.
I've just started trying 5-htp, and I think it does help.

Perhaps one of the 3 will help your DD, we're all just so different, huh?

[Nancy LC]

Melatonin doesn't do much for me, but I hear for other people it works very well over the short term.

I took 5-HTP for awhile and it seemed to work, but then stopped working.

[Gostrydr]

JAn,
Yes I have seen people take the combo of Valerian and 5-HTP.

In fact I think there are some products out there that contain both ingredients. A depression/anxiety type of formula.

Gryfonclaw. Benadryl for sleep..you need a new doc.

[JAnn]

JAn,
Yes I have seen people take the combo of Valerian and 5-HTP.
Thanks. I've been pretty stressed lately and would wake up about 3 a.m. with panic attacks. I haven't had them since taking the valerian and melatonin. Last night I took the 5HPT for the first time. I woke up at 5 a.m. but that may just be because I'm sleeping better. I'm definintely a morning person!

[gryfonclaw]

Gryfonclaw. Benadryl for sleep..you need a new doc.


I'll probably just ask my PCP next time I see him.

By the way, excuse my ignorance, but I'm guessing by your response that Benadryl is not good long-term?

[Lisa N]

Thanks for your replies, everyone. :)
After two nights, DD reports that she isn't waking up at night and feels like she is sleeping better. :thup:
As long as she feels that it is helping her, I don't see a reason to not let her continue.