Melatonin

[VeloVT]

I have been having some serious insomnia lately. I was at the drugstore today and impulsively bought some melatonin (two bottles actually, since they were having a buy one get one free sale). But now I am having second thoughts.

Of course, I have decided that I WILL discuss this with my doctor before I actually take any.

But -- has anyone taken this for sleep problems? if so, what were your experiences? did it work? any side effects? how much did you take? I bought what seemed like the standard (3mg) but after a quick internet search it seems like that's a lot.

Also, this is something I am definitely going to discuss with the doctor, but I thought I"d throw it out here anyway. I am taking Depo Provera for birth control. After getting home I realized that in fact melatonin is a hormone too, and started worrying that maybe it could decrease the effectiveness of the birth control... any thoughts? (For the third time, I will discuss this with a medical professional probably tomorrow, but the office is closed right now).

[kermit]

You can check webMD for side effects but I have taken it and for me it was no big deal. It is a natural supplement and I did not have any weird side effects. It kinda didn't work when I took it.

[OakLeaf]

I've taken it on occasion, mostly when traveling. Basically it replaces the melatonin that your pineal gland is supposed to generate when light is withdrawn. When I'm jet-lagged, or if I'm at a conference or whatever where I can't get natural light during the daytime, it helps me maintain my natural rhythms.

[spokewench]

I don't know about side effects or interactions with other drugs; but my husband started taking it this year for insomnia and he also has trouble sleeping because of ringing in his ears.

He says it does help him have a less disturbed night's rest.

[badger]

I take 1mg about 2-3x/week. I don't have insomnia but I'm a light sleeper and find that when I take it I sleep soundly. I actually give my cat .25mg (I cut the pill in 4s and grind it up and put it in his food). I was told by my vet that it may help with his aggression. Not sure if it's doing that, but he sleeps through the night better, too.

[wackyjacky1]

I used to take it fairly often (3 mg) because I have to go to bed so early, usually around 7:30 p.m. I find it very helpful and haven't had any problems with side effects or drug interactions.

I recently started taking levothyroxine for low thyroid function and haven't taken melatonin since then. I think there's something on the bottle about not using it if you have thyroid issues. I need to ask my doctor about that.

We also give it to the dogs when a storm is brewing. It helps chill them out (they tend to freak at thunderstorms).

[SLash]

FWIW: The publication, Bottom Line Personal, had some interesting information on how to take Melatonin. It said, Melatonin should not be taken as a sleeping pill, i.e., 30-45 minutes before bedtime, because by that hour the brain has already started to produce the hormone and the additional amount will have little effect. They recommend taking a very small amount of melatonin 0.25mg 5 hours before your desired bedtime to give it time to work. It also said that after taking melatonin you should remain in dim, indoor light because bright or flourescent light reverses the effect.

Don't know if it will work better taking it this way but thought I would pass it on.

[violetpurl]

I take it nightly - 2 3mg tablets, per my Drs. recommendation. I can tell a difference if I miss a dose. It enables me to sleep through the night and calms my racing mind when I'm stressed.

[WindingRoad]

I have used Melatonin in the past when I was extremely stressed. Having another bout of bad stress and anxiety again and am thinking its time to buy more.

[tctrek]

I have taken it in the past and although it worked to help me get to sleep, I had very, very vivid dreams and nightmares when I took it. Typically, I do not remember my dreams, but on melatonin it was like they were real. Kinda freaked me out and I stopped taking it.

[solobiker]

I have taken it in the past and although it worked to help me get to sleep, I had very, very vivid dreams and nightmares when I took it. Typically, I do not remember my dreams, but on melatonin it was like they were real. Kinda freaked me out and I stopped taking it.

I have a friend that had the same experience. She said she took only 1/2 a tablet and very wild type of dreams.

[badger]

I did some researching after reading some of the posts here. I don't think I'll be taking it anymore.

Instead, I'll be taking magnesium.

I took it when I was getting a constant lump-in-the-throat feeling. I noticed then that I slept really when when I took it so I'll go back to taking that.

Failing that, I also found GABA quite helpful in calming the mind (and lessening headaches as it relaxes tension).

I actually have quite a few little secrets up my sleeve when it comes to sleep (valerian/hops/L-theanine/Relora, etc).

[lph]

They recommend taking a very small amount of melatonin 0.25mg 5 hours before your desired bedtime to give it time to work. It also said that after taking melatonin you should remain in dim, indoor light because bright or flourescent light reverses the effect.

Now this is very interesting. As I've mentioned I feel that I can fall asleep and sleep heavily, but my body doesn't always seem to "know" when is the right period to shut down. (2 am until 10 am is the wrong period...) And sometimes no amount of herbal tea and reading before bed and this that or the other will get me to the appropriate "slump" to fall asleep.

It sounds like I should be giving a little thought to what I do as much as 5 hours before bedtime. Interesting. I've already completely cut out coffee after 3 pm, and in general reduced to 2 cups a day, which helps.

[OakLeaf]

FWIW, when I used to drink coffee, even though I drank a fairly large amount (2-4 cups per day), if I had any after noon I'd be up all night.

[SLash]

Now this is very interesting. As I've mentioned I feel that I can fall asleep and sleep heavily, but my body doesn't always seem to "know" when is the right period to shut down. (2 am until 10 am is the wrong period...) And sometimes no amount of herbal tea and reading before bed and this that or the other will get me to the appropriate "slump" to fall asleep.

It sounds like I should be giving a little thought to what I do as much as 5 hours before bedtime. Interesting. I've already completely cut out coffee after 3 pm, and in general reduced to 2 cups a day, which helps.

I agree, melatonin seems to be more about resetting your nighttime clock/circadian rhythm rather than as a sleep aid. If you are interested, this website has very good information on melatonin: www.talkaboutsleep/melatonin