TOPIC: Melatonin

Hope there is someone out there who can shed some light on this.

I work a range of shifts (including nights) which can play all sorts of tricks on a normal sleep pattern. From reading peoples posts sleep disturbance is a stand out common denominator side effect of treatment. I will at times take Melanin when I come off night shifts to help reset my sleep cycle, I have also found it beneficial when I have had a long haul flight. Would Melanin be helpful to the many people on this forum struggling with belts of insomnia?

Thanks in advance
Tina

www.google.co.nz/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=...KqU5DRuUKv2L66VcxyIQ

mmm upon more investigation I have found the answer to my question

and in case if anyone was wondering...Melatonin is a sleep and body clock regulator - NOT a sleep initiator. Bit of a bummer thought I was onto something good there.

Hi Tina, I have taken Melatonin before for jet-lag - It resets the body clock.
It's also said to make you look younger !
However, I'm not sure if it should be taken when on treatment?

As far as I know, you can't buy it in the UK ,I have always bought mine when visiting the states.
It's an excellent jet-lag remedy.
If it was proved to be OK on tx, it would definitely help some people I would think, but it's probably best to check this out.
x

I just wonder whether 'resetting' your body clock is going to make a difference here. I suspect it is not the body clock being out alignment with the rest of the planet like with shift work or travel but the meds just making it difficult to stay switched off. From what I'm experiencing and reading from others, it doesn't appear to be so much of a difficulty going to sleep rather more with staying asleep?

GAJ wrote:
Hi GAJ

I have taken Melatonin and it did help me have a solid sleep and I had the thought it would be a good option for those who happen to miss an entire day of sleep.
Melanin is also prescribed in NZ to help battle depression.

Hi Tina,

Thanks. I read your initial post last night but didn't re read today to see your later edit about it not being a sleep initiator which was what I was basically attempting to state. I blame my oversight on lack of sleep!

I can completely relate GAJ, Ive just finished 5 night shifts

Metalonin (real prescribed NOT fake homeopathic) , at a dose of 2-6 mg, about 1-2 hours before you want to go to sleep can help, particularly in the context of shift work/jet lag.

Here is a post of mine over on blogspot called "How do I fix my insomia?" that contains the full range of routine sleep hygeine advice and medication options.

gp2u.blogspot.com.au/2015/02/how-do-i-fix-my-insomnia.html

Melatonin has worked well for me in the past. Unless the laws have changed in the meantime, I believe we can only access the crap homeopathic variety over-the-counter in Aust; I used to import it from overseas which was no problem.

You should find no GP resistance to writing a script for Melatonin 2 mg take one to three at night.

They will probably be greatly relieved you are not after benzodiazepines. Ask.

I have used Melatonin in the past. I requested a script from my GP and arranged good quality synthetic from a local compounding pharmacy. No human pituitary hormones for me. I found 3mg an initially effective dose however like almost all sleep medications, including the benzodiazepine hypnotics, it lost effect over time, even with increased dose. Ambien seems to be the only one which maintains long term effect but after reviewing some reports on this drug I intuitively reject it.

Overall, there seems to be a good rationale for developing behavioural routines to manage sleep. Although most instructions advise going to sleep at same time every night - some good clinics, instead, anchor new patterns around adherence to same wake up time. Development often involves a rugged period of adjustment - but apparently once established is quite functional.

I found providing I wasnt using the Melatonin too successively - it would still be useful to initiate & maintain a good sleep. When necessary I use some of the old standby antihistamines.

Melatonin not listed on the Drug Interaction Chart. Is it safe to use on sof-led and sof-dac treatment ?

Hi Archer,

Melatonin is a hormone that our bodies make naturally in a daily rhythm which is likely why it is not included in the drug interactions charts. Apparently people in their 50s and older often don't manufacture as much anyway which is thought to possibly be part of why we sometimes have sleep difficulties. So it seems to me that at the doses recommended we are just boosting our bodies own production and maybe changing the timing cycle slightly. I'm no expert but my assumption is that it should be fine to use occasionally as recommended during treatment. I find it helps if I take it for two or three days but then loses its effect, but that is usually enough to catch up my sleep/reset the pattern for a few more days. That way I reserve benzos for the "absolutely must have a good nights sleep so I can function for an important event tomorrow" occasions. YMMV.

Could someone change the title of this thread? Melanin and melatonin are different things.

Here's what a friend of mine (also a nurse) says

"It is a good choice because it is safe and doesn't appear to interact with any hep C drugs. The tricks are to take it properly and to find the right dose, and in melatonin's case - more is not necessarily better."
forums.hepmag.com/index.php?topic=1323.0

But the link she listed didn't work.

I took Melatonin over the counter pill and found it very difficult to wake up. I now use the liquid so that I can use only a few drops.

P

The correct dose of melatonin is 2-6mg 1-2 hours before sleep is desired.

It is made in 2mg and 3mg tablets.

Homeopathic melatonin is water so don't bother.

Here's a post of mine about insomnia: gp2u.blogspot.com.au/2015/02/how-do-i-fix-my-insomnia.html