Melatonin for teens

[okeydokey]

My 13 year old DD has always had a hard time sleeping, even as a baby and toddler. The last few nights she has been up for a few hours after being in bed. It doesn't matter what time she gets up in the am, she still has trouble nodding off at night.

My friend's daughter has the same problem and her doctor recommended melatonin. I picked some up and I'm not sure how to dose it. I am thinking the lowest adult dose would be OK. Who has used this and how did it work for you?

 

[Rafiki31]

I use melatonin regularly. The normal dose I take is 3mg, if I can sleep in I take 5mg. I recently purchased a bottle of sublingual 1mg from GNC by mistake. They taste like bananna and you let them dissolve under your tongue. I bet you can order them on gncdot com. 1mg does nothing for me, the 3 works well. I do not like the 3mg "time release" I felt like a zombie.

I would prob ask the DR before trying anything but if she does try it have her try the 1mg on a weekend when she can sleep in. If 1mg doesnt work, she could try 2 of those 1mg pills. I'd ask the doctor.

And be aware melatonin causes me to have very vivid colorful dreams. I love it, but if you have a bad dream, those are very vivid as well. Last time I watched Gothika before bed I learned that the hard way. But I normally have awesome dreams when I take melatonin I love the stuff. I do know someone who has their kid take it, he takes the 3, but he is adult weight.

 

[Kellydelly]

I would start with half a mg and see if that works. Definately start low and then go up if needed. Turn off the tv and computer if your teen is prone to using them late at night.

 

[dakcp2001]

As an adult I take 3mg. I would also start low.

 

[bdcp]

My DS (27) started taking it in college when he was 18. He still takes it occasionally, but has never had any issues of any kind. I too had trouble falling asleep when I was a teenager and young adults. But, having a baby cured me of that.

 

[lemondog]

My oldest DD was 6 when she started on meds for ADHD...they gave her insomnia so the pedi has her start taking melatonin...3mg which I think is a standard size capsule. I would start with that dose and ask her doctor how high you can go.

 

[minkydog]

My son Christian(16) has been taking melatonin for sleep since he was about 12. He is autistic and that causes sleep troubles for a lot of people. His sleep patterns got really disrupted when he started going through puberty. So his doctor suggested we either try a strong anti-psychotic drug or go with a small dose of melatonin. Christian takes 3mg(300mcg) of melatonin every night at 9pm and he is usually asleep by 9:30, definitely by 10pm.

Melatonin doesn't make you go to sleep. It is a hormone that we all produce that makes us feel sleepy. There's no hangover or addiction issues with it. But it will only work if you have good sleep hygiene. You can't just take it and stay up doing stuff. You need to take it and get ready for bed. Melatonin will help you fall asleep, but it's not as good at helping you stay asleep.

I hope it works for your son. Christian has taken melatonin steadily for 4 years with nary a side effect. The only times we have trouble is when he *doesn't* take it. Then it's a party all night in his bedroom.

 

[tmarquez]

My DD used to have "night terrors" when she was 3 - 4. A Dr suggested melatonin, we gave her the 1mg ones that melt in your mouth. It worked great, stopped them completely and they never came back.

I use 3mg on occassion when I wake up at night for some reason and then can't get back to sleep.

 

[herdtoDisney]

My 14 yo DS, with the doctor's approval, has been trying melatonin this summer. So far, it seems to help. With his ADHD, he has trouble 'turning off' his mind to fall asleep, and is not able to use adhd meds (we had bad experiences with them).

The doctor also said he should turn off all stimuli, like the computer and bright lights, about an hour before he wants to be asleep, and to take the melatonin and maybe read quietly. This seems to be helping.

 

[MsPeggySue911]

Both my kids take A.D.D meds that make them not very sleepy at bedtime. I have been giving them both 5 mg of Melatonin for the last 18 months. It doesn't really make them sleepy it just helps them relax so that they can fall asleep. But my son can fight it and stay awake for hours even after taking Melatonin. Melatonin is a natural substance your body already produces. It is over the counter and safe to use.

 

[shortbun]

My son is 16, has been taking it since he was 12. His pediatrician and a psychiatrist both agreed on 3mg at that time-lower won't do anything. Now, he's on 6mg and the doctor just told us he could increase it. Make sure your child has at lease 8 hours to sleep when they take it. Also, my son was told to take it 1/2 hour prior to desired sleep but now they're saying 2 hours prior. Consult your pediatrician.

 

[satorifound]

My daughter took melatonin for sleeping issues as recommended by a therapist. It didn't work for her. That said, I would try the lowest dose initially...

 

[okeydokey]

Thank you everyone. We decided to split the 3mg pill in two for now. I know it has to build up in their systems so we may not see a benefit for a couple of says, but we will give it a go.

 

[nancygirl1]

Just be aware that melatonin can cause VERY vivid dreams. I had them on 2.5mg and had to stop taking it. My husband has been taking it for years with no problem.

 

[bluesky2012]

Thank you everyone. We decided to split the 3mg pill in two for now. I know it has to build up in their systems so we may not see a benefit for a couple of says, but we will give it a go.

that might worth u a try.

 

[Bungle]

My son has the worst vivid nightmares on melatonin, which is unfortunate because it works great. I would try out a low dose first.

 

[herbaltea]

I also used to take it some years back. I was getting really frustrated because of not getting proper sleep and then my family doctor recommended it for me and it really worked great. Now, I no longer need it. Melatonin is very useful and popular for some teens who cannot get to sleep.