Melatonin

endorphin_junkie

endorphin_junkie

Cathlete
I've been chasing a good night's sleep for over a week nowx( I bought some Melatonin today (5 mg), I've never taken it before and wondered if any of you have and what your experience was with it. Should I expect a better night's rest tonight or is it something you have to take a few night's before it 'kicks in'. TIA:)

ETA: If you've taken it, did you experience any residual effects the next day? Thanks again:)

Take Care
Laurie
 
I work with people who SWEAR by melatonin for overcoming jetlag when they travel overseas. I haven't tried it myself, but from what I gather, it works the first time you take it. I'm sure other people here will have more insightful information. :)
 
Melatonin never helped me...I have had tons of problems sleeping. Generally, my problem is not getting to sleep but STAYING asleep. However, I use Natural Calm when I need a little help with sleep. It is a magnesium supplement that is effervescent in hot water. You can buy sample size packets as well as the full size at Whole Foods in their Whole Body section. The raspberry-lemon flavor is the best, IMO. It doesn't help you sleep per se, but it really relaxes you...just take it as the last thing you do before going to bed or it doesn't work as well. They say the serving is 1-3 tsp, but I would start out with 1/2 tsp to start and see how it goes from there.

I know this has nothing to do with the melatonin, but sometimes it's nice to have an alternative if the melatonin doesn't work.
 
My DH swears it works, but I've never tried it. If he keeps up this tossing and turning (he's having major back issues), then me and the dog might start a round of it!
 
Yes I've tried it, & it does help me get to sleep. Sometimes I do have trouble staying asleep though. And it does work immediately, as in you don't have to take it a few days before it starts to take effect. As far as a hangover goes, I usually wake up pretty well rested.

Another option is valerium, also an herbal supplement. You can even take them both together. I don't do valerium b/c it tastes & smells disgusting, but I hear it's pretty effective.
 
I take Tylenol PM as melatonin made me feel like I was going under anasthesia but never fully got me to sleep....good luck with it...
 
I have took it in the past and remember it "knocking me out" then I still felt the effects the next day!just kinda groggy, medicine head the next day. I don't remember the milligram though:( I purchased it at walmart,came in a purple bottle? HTH

Good luck!
 
Speaking of valerian root, Celestial Seasonings makes a tea called Sleepytime Extra...it is sleepytime tea with valerian root in it and it is very helpful for sleep.
 
I know you’re not supposed to take it for long periods of time and I think it only works on those who are low in melatonin. I'm not sure, but I think it can have negative effects on you if you take it when your body doesn't need it. Hormonal side effects... which are never good. I know that when you have too much of one hormone it can make others have too little. Like if your estrogen is high then your progestin usually is low causing an imbalance. I only know this because I’ve had hormone tests done on me and my estrogen is off the charts… so all my other hormones were all messed up too. My doctor thought that it may be contributed to the fact that I (for the last five yrs.) have not gotten a full nights sleep due to my kids waking up. Melatonin is produced around 3:00 in the morning... if you’re not in a deep sleep then you won't produce it or you'll produce only a little.

So please be careful…
 
I've tried melatonin at 1mg with no effect. At 3mg I've noticed better sleep and interesting/rememorable dreams -- no "hangover or groginess the next morning. I've tried valerian -- no effect and it's smell is horrible. I've tried extra magnesium citrate along with a B-complex --- helps with relaxation and better sleep also. HTH, Deb
 
My DD takes 3mg at night and she's asleep in about 20 minutes. It's the only way she can get to sleep before 1:00 a.m. I took it just to see how it felt and I did not sleep all night long, but I'm on other meds, so maybe it just wasn't a good combo. The brand my DD takes is Natrol and it has Vitamin B-6 and Calcium added to it.
 
Laurie, my son has autism and has used melatonin for several years on the recommendation of his developmental pediatrician. He takes it every night and wouldn't be able to get to sleep without it (I know because there have been a few times I left it out of his evening medicines!)

I've tried it myself on a few occasions and I do find that it works quite well at helping me get to sleep. I don't notice any kind of hangover in the morning.

Valerian is another good choice but it is true that it stinks something powerful!

A homeopathic remedy that can work is Calms or Calms Forte.

If you like tea you can also try any of the sleepy-time teas - chamomile is soothing.

Sweet dreams!
 
This forum is just the most amazing resource for such a wide variety of subjects and I am so grateful for it. Thanks everyone for your input. I've read through this thread more than a few times, searched other sites and am comfortable taking melatonin tonight. Huge thanks to all of you!

I'll be reporting back in the morning:)

Take Care
Laurie
 
Suzanne,

I was wondering as I was reading all the replies, if this would work for my son (15 yrs.) because is PDDNOS which is on the Autism spectrum. He has trouble getting to sleep but sometimes also staying asleep. Someone earlier mentioned Natrol, what does your son use?

Colleen
 
Well I took 5mg about 30 minutes before bed time and slept well from 11:30 until 4:00, from then on it wasn't a horrible sleep but I had some very strange slow motion dreams. I feel quite rested but won't really know until I workout and get moving. I prefer how I feel this morning much more compared to the groggy, bumping into walls mode I get in on the rare occaisions that I've taken pharmaceutical sleep aids.:)

Take Care
Laurie
 
Colleen, I tried to post from home this morning but it didn't take! x(

My son has PDD/NOS as well and we use the 3mg. He's 10 now so I think that the 3mg would be reasonable for your 15 year old.

If he's taking other medications you should probably check with his doctor.

I know of other autistic kids who take more serious prescription medications for sleep such as clonidine. My DD has ADHD and mood/low-weight issues so she takes remeron.

Feel free to PM me if you want to get more in depth.

Laurie, glad you got a little rest!
 
Hey Laurie!

Glad you got a good night's rest. I am also having the same problem and have been taking melatonin. It has worked in the past as does the valerian root and sleepy time tea.

Just a word of caution....I thought (and I could be wrong) that you really should not take more that 3mg. of melatonin. I think I read that more could produce nightmares in some people.

Anyways, just wanted to share.

Here's to a good night sleep!;-)

KarenL
 
:) I take Melatonin 3mg every night; wouldn't be without it.
It's great for falling asleep and also staying asleep.

viki-nyc
 
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