Melatonin

[okeydokey]

If you have used melatonin to help you sleep, what do you think? Did it work for you? I bought some for DH, he is a horrible sleeper but he hasn't used it yet. He is a bit nervous about using any kind of sleep aid other than Tylenol PM. My 13 year old DD is also a bad sleeper and a friend told me her Dr recommended it for her 12 year old. Not sure how I feel about giving to a minor though.

 

[Lintasare]

I take it occasionally and it works just fine for me. I find a 2.5 mg tablet is sufficient. Since melatonin occurs naturally in the body I don't think it is habit forming.

 

[pezheadmeg]

I swear by it I take it 2 to 3 nights a week, more when I'm not sleeping well. Usually I take it about an hour before I'm ready to head to bed. Just have him try it on a day when he doesn't need to be up early the next morning.

What I do find is that when I take it I'm awake and alert the next morning after only 7 or 8 hours of sleep. If I take Advil PM or Benadryl, I'm groggy if I don't get 9 or 10 hours.

 

[bdcp]

My DS27 takes it when he needs it. He has been taking it since he was about 18. It is not habit forming and is considered completely safe. He says it does help him fall asleep. It doesn't knock him out, but allows him to fall asleep naturally which he sometimes has problems with. I told him when he has kids of his own, he won't have that problem. I always had trouble sleeping til I had a baby.

I'd be more uncomfortable taking Tylenol PM since Tylenol has been linked to liver damage when used too much.

 

[sam_gordon]

I use it occasionally. Usually two pills. I don't feel groggy in the morning and it's great if I only am going to sleep a few hours.

If he's willing to take Tylanol PM (a drug), I greatly recommend Melatonin (herbal supplement).

 

[FredinFL]

I give it to my 10 year old when she's having a tough time getting to sleep. Works great, she's not groggy in the morning either.

 

[shortbun]

I know lots of kids taking it. Ask your pediatrician to get more comfortable. The key to melatonin is not to wait til you are desperate. If it works, it works well. You need to be sure you have 6-8 hours to sleep. Start with 3mg. You can up it to 6 but normally 3 works. The people I know who take 6 have upped the dose after a long time using 3. I took my son off it because it finally 'stopped working.' He's been an insomniac since birth and his normal sleep rythym is 2am to 12n so a school schedule doesn't it well with that. Anyway, good luck. Tell your husband there's nothing to worry about, it's a totally natural sleep aid. It's what your brain is supposed to produce to induce sleep. Many brains just don't produce enough.

 

[okeydokey]

Thanks guys, I appreciate the answers.

 

[Kellydelly]

If you want to give it to your daughter I would give her 1mg or less. GNC has 1mg chewable (sublingual) cherry flavored melatonin. I have only seen it online in that dose. I give my 11 yr old only .25 to .5 mg and it works well for her when she can't fall asleep.

http://www.drugstore.com/gnc-melatonin-1-tablets-cherry/qxp45479?fromsrch=gnc+melatonin

 

[Mermaid02]

I use it- love it. It helps me stay asleep- and if I do wake up I fall back to sleep easily. I was waking up frequently and lying there looking at the ceiling for hours.

 

[JessicaR]

Tell him not to be nervous at all. If it works for him that would be terrific! Did not a thing for me. I so wanted it to work for me. I have a thyroid issue and it just didnt help me.

 

[JessicaR]

I use it- love it. It helps me stay asleep- and if I do wake up I fall back to sleep easily. I was waking up frequently and lying there looking at the ceiling for hours.

For me there is nothing worse.

 

[bunkkinsmom]

My DD's pediatrician suggested it for her on our second trip to Disney. We take the train and it's an overnight. My DD is on level 11 or asleep, there's no in between for her, and she stays up late. I just couldn't imagine having all of those people on the train at 2 am wondering what the crap my daughter was doing singing Lord knows what. I was worried about it until my Ped suggested it, and it worked great. Now she takes it maybe 2-3 times a month. It has been great for her.

 

[Chernabog#1fan]

We are in the process of adopting 2 children. They have been taking it for a while now because they have a hard time sleeping, bith have ADHD and their minds race at night. It is much easier to get them to sleep with it. The children are both under 12.

 

[lakelandgal70]

My Dr has just told me to start taking this. I am suppose to take 20mg a night but right now just on 10mg. I pass out and pretty much sleep the whole night on the 10mg. I do have vivid dreams but then again I was having them before hand. But otherwise has worked well for me.