Melatonin...I do believe that's Jerry Garcia on my couch

[minkydog]

My 10yo has been having extreme difficulty sleeping for the past 6 wks. I have no idea what set it off, but he gets revved up every night and stays awake until between 1am & 3am, playing,kicking, throwing things,singing. DS is autistic and I understand that sleep disorders are not uncommon. We have tried all the usuals to get him to sleep(low lights, routine, soft music, etc) so finally I called the ped. She suggested Trazadone, a mild anti-depressant.

Well, we tried the trazadone, until I read the side effects--yike Moderate risk of seizures(we've worked very hard to get his seizure-free this year). Okay, I'm not liking this...I called the neurologist. He suggested melatonin, which is an OTC supplement. I'm not an alternative-medicine enthusiast, but I liked the sounds of melatonin a lot more than the trazadone.

So last night we tried the Melatonin...within 30 minutes my son was stoned I swear, he looked like he'd been smoking weed all night. He was grinning and hugging and kissing and then he willingly went to bed at 9:30pm I would not ordinarily promote drugs like this for children, but this is pretty amazing.

If anybody knows of a good reason NOT to be using this stuff, please let me know.

 

[sleepyone]

I'm glad you found something that's working for your son. Have you googled melatonin? The side effects I found were: headaches, nightmares, morning groginess, mild depression, and low sex drive.

 

[phillybeth]

The side effects I found were: low sex drive.

I doubt that will be an issue with a 10 YO

 

[jfulcer]

A friend of mine took Melatonin to help him rest and swore by it. Here's some light reading about it:

http://www.sltbr.org/melfaq.htm#m13

 

[Beth76]

Minkydog, is this a problem that's related to autism. I ask because my 4-1/2 year old (who's not autistic) has been having a difficult time falling asleep lately. He's always been a really good sleeper and I've never had any problems putting him down to sleep. But the past couple of months he will just not fall asleep until after 9:30 usually. This is with putting him to bed between 8-8:30. The other day he was still awake at 10:30. Amazingly, last night he was asleep before 8:30--maybe Santa should come every night. He's not throwing tantrums or anything, he just stays up in his room reading books, sometimes he wanders out and will color or draw. I don't know if maybe I should talk to his doctor about this. I hate the thought of medicating him, but he really just needs to sleep more.

 

[Chris2597]

I have taken Melatonin and had good results....I found that once it was in my system I needed to only take it every other day or I would feel out of it during the day....especially if it was cloudy....What mg are you giving your son? Typically it comes in 3mg which I would think is too strong for a child.
It does make dreaming more vivid, nothing scarey just more pronounced dreams that you remember upon waking.

 

[Tuffcookie]

My 14 yr old DS takes Melatonin (3 mg). He was diagnosed with Asperger's and his Dr. recommended it. It has made such a difference in how DS sleeps.

TC

 

[lbgraves]

I have used this a few times when my mind wouldn't stop to let me rest. The first time was right after we got engaged & all I could think about was the wedding. LOL! It helped me get into a better sleep pattern after a few days so I didn't have to take it anymore.

 

[Goofball]

After about 20 years of on/off - mostly on, of course! - problems with falling or staying asleep, I started taking 3 mg of melatonin two weeks ago and have slept great every night. It's been such a relief to me, especially remembering how awful and exhausted I felt last Christmas Day. I tried one of my sister's Ambien a few months ago and slept very hard for twelve hours and felt like going back to sleep the rest of the day; the melatonin has left me without a hint of hangover. Based on my own experience, I can't think of a good reason to not take it!

 

[Twinkles6892]

I think my little brother takes this, could I take this just to get to sleep tonight, cause I'm a little bit excited, and I can't have a night where I'm drifting in and out of sleep!

 

[goofygirl]

Glad it works for somebody, because it didn't do a thing for me!


I have bouts with insomnia, I took melatonin, and I was laying there for hours thinking, "Okay, so when IS this supposed to make me tired?" Xanax is also supposed to make you relaxed, and that didn't do anything for me either!

 

[minkydog]

Thanks for all the advice and support. So far, it seems to be doing the trick. No sexual side effects as far as we know We've been giving him 3mg, but I think I will back down to 1.5mg and see if we get the same results on less med. DH took it last night also and he was thrilled that it helped him go to sleep(he usually takes Ambien 3 nights a week and he hates having to take something potentially addictive.)

 

[shortbun]

My autistic nephew/Aspergers takes 6mg nightly. I questioned the dosage but was assured it was ok. I've taken it but only 3mg and I go right to sleep. Wish it had the
Grateful Dead affect on me!!!!!

 

[DisneyTarheel]

I take it to stave off jetlag when I travel overseas on business. Works like a charm.