Tell me about Melatonin

[Ohiodislover]

For the past few months, I have been having trouble getting and staying asleep through the night. Several people have recommended melatonin supplements before bed.
DH bought some for me today...Melatonin-3mg from GNC. The person working told him start w/ one, and go to 2 in a few weeks.

I'm sure that someone here has experience. Is it something that I will need to increase the dose as I grow tolerance to it?

I took it about 1 1/2 hours ago, and I must say that right now, I can hardly keep my eyes open. That could just be the power of suggestion.

TIA

 

[iwrbnd]

I have 2 children that can't sleep without it. It works wonders for them! They've been taking it for years and haven't had any side-effects. I was worried at first but I became more worried about their lack of sleep and brain development!

I heard it turns off your wake cycle so your sleep cycle can naturally take over. Don't know how true that is.

 

[disfan07]

I take 3mg everyday for migraines.

I have to say... it has helped with the migraines but it has not actually helped too much with sleep...but it might just be me.

 

[minkydog]

My son Christian takes it. Like a lot of autistic kids, he has a hard time going to sleep. His ped offered to put him on a psychotropic drug(Trazadone) but I was uncomfortable with that, especially since he has a seizure disorder. Someone told me about melatonin. We tried it and he's been on it ever since. We give him 3mg(300mcg)--that's 1 tablet--around 9pm. Most nights he's in bed by 9:30 and asleep by 10pm. And he sleeps all night!

I have a sleep disorder so i tried the meletonin too. Unfortunately, I needed something much stronger so I can get to sleep and stay asleep. Oh well. But I'm telling you, I am so pleased that it works for Christian. Try it and see. We have never had to increase Christian's dose and he's been on it for about 6 years.

 

[wdwmom2]

I went through a short period where I could go to sleep easily enough, but would wake up around 2 a.m. and not be able to fall back to sleep.

I did 3 nights on melatonin and it got me back in a good sleep pattern. The only side effect it had was VERY vivid, VERY colorful dreams!!!!

 

[dakcp2001]

I also had very vivid colorful dreams while taking melatonin! I still take it sometimes if I cant sleep, and the dreams are wonderful! I have heard that if you are prone to nightmares, Melatonin might be a bad idea, but my dreams were all colorul & happy. I love it.

 

[funkychunkymonkey]

Im on two months of taking melitionin. I take one capsul a half hour before bed. I will admit the dreams are worth it. I tend to have more issues with dry throats in the moring. Ive never had a nightmare on melitonin yet.

 

[wdwmom2]

I have heard that if you are prone to nightmares, Melatonin might be a bad idea, but my dreams were all colorul & happy. I love it.

I usually have bad dreams, at least the ones that I can remember. But the ones I had while taking melatonin were "happy" dreams!

I would probably stroke out if I had a nightmare while on melatonin, vivid and in Technicolor!!!!!

 

[4nana]

When I began having sleep issues my dr. prescribed sleep aid, but I didn't like the side effects. I tried Melatonin and was very pleased it helped me relax and stay asleep.
I have not noticed any side effects, nor do I have weird or vivid dreams.

Adults sometime lack sufficient Melatonin, as is actually a neurotransmitter secreted by the pineal gland. I know in some cases it is given to children who have conditions causing sleep difficulity. However, IMO like any med, herb, hormone, I'd check with my dr before giving to very young children, as their young bodies are still developing and long term use is not known.

 

[CaliforniaDreamin]

My son Christian takes it. Like a lot of autistic kids, he has a hard time going to sleep. His ped offered to put him on a psychotropic drug(Trazadone) but I was uncomfortable with that, especially since he has a seizure disorder.

Good for you for taking him off trazadone. I was put on it for sleep and I must say, it's the worst prescription drug I have ever taken in my life, and I have been on a lot. Within 10 min of taking it, I would try and throw it up to get it out of my system. I was absolutely miserable on it. I tried to give it a chance, but I could not deal with the way it made me feel. I can't even describe how it made me feel, but it was bad. So bad. Also, it never helped me sleep.

 

[mjc05]

One of my best friends is a psychologist and told me to try Melatonin for my insomnia and night terrors. I've taken it the last two nights and it's worked wonders. 3mg and within a half an hour I'm asleep. I haven't had any night terrors and my dreams, like others have said, are very vivid, happy dreams. I say give it a try.

 

[iwrbnd]

I'll have to ask my 2 kids that take it about their dreams! They've never mentioned anything but then they may not know what's normal/abnormal since they've been on it for so long. Both their doctor and psychiatrist (they are on the autism spectrum too) have told me to give it to them.

 

[karibritt01]

I give it to my DS11 when he is having trouble sleeping. He takes 2 pills, and is out within 30 minutes. I find that it puts me to sleep, but I still have trouble staying asleep. I take Tylenol PM when I am having trouble sleeping, and I am out like a light... best night's sleep I've had since I had kids!

 

[horseshowmom]

I give it to my DS11 when he is having trouble sleeping. He takes 2 pills, and is out within 30 minutes. I find that it puts me to sleep, but I still have trouble staying asleep. I take Tylenol PM when I am having trouble sleeping, and I am out like a light... best night's sleep I've had since I had kids!

I really like it too (never had this problem until I hit menopause ). It gets me to sleep very quickly (I'm only up tonight due to some stress issues - haven't even taken it tonight). I do have the problem of still waking up once or twice to get up to go to the restroom. I'm planning on purchasing the extended release when I'm out of what I have now.

 

[shortbun]

When you take it, you are supposed to be ready to go to sleep. The window of time you'll feel sleepy doesn't last forever so if you're up and on the computer, you might just fight through it.

 

[honugirl]

I take a lot of melatonin (9-12 mg) when I take it because my sleep cycles are so messed up from other hormones being off. Never noticed any more vivid dreams on it, I do notice the dreams when my cortisol spikes and holy cow, if my heart wasn't healthy, I'd probably be dead by now. They are full on the scariest dreams ever! And I feel everything that's going on in addition to the visuals. If I wake up around 2 am, I take another 3, but I usually sleep pretty well on it.

 

[bicker]

I occasionally take something called "Sleep Calm" which is a combination of L-Theanine, 5HTP & Melatonin. I feel it does help quite a lot.

 

[Ohiodislover]

Thanks everyone. I started w/ the 3 mg tablets. Within 1 1/2 hrs I was in bed, and asleep soon after. I did get up to go to the bathroom once during the night, but went back to sleep within a few minutes.

Funny bout the dreams. I did have a very weird vivid dream last night, just before I got up to go potty. I wondered if the med had something to do with it...guess it probably did

Good thing is that I don't feel groggy this morning. I had been taking benedryl w/ my motrin most nights, but it gave me a bit of hungover feeling in the AM.

 

[1stluvispooh]

For those you try melatonin and wake up in the middle of the night not being able to go back to sleep you need to find time released melatonin. I have to admit you will have to really look for it. And yes you can "power through" your melatonin. DD has done that before. Ugh

 

[Tuffcookie]

My youngest DS, 18 and an Aspie, takes Melantonin (3 MG). He takes 2. He has taken it for years.

It helps him sleep better.

TC