Tell me about Melatonin

[Darsa]

I've taken this a few times since mom died, because my sleep was just... not happening. When I fell asleep, I was ASLEEP; DH says "I tried to wake you up but..." and that's when we get started with the "WHY DID YOU TRY TO WAKE ME UP YOU KNOW I'M HAVING TROUBLE SLEEPING..." etc etc (yeah, he was wondering if I knew where one of his school books was. UGH!) Anyway, once I wake up, I can't seem to get back to sleep, melatonin or no. But the sleep I *do* get with it is sooo deep and restful! I highly recommend it.

I wasn't aware it was used for kids; my DD14 has a hard time getting to sleep (and subsequently is a beast in the mornings!) so I might just try this with her...

 

[iwrbnd]

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.

I figured this out the hard way! I would try to get a head start on bedtime and gave the melatonin early. I found every time I did this the kids couldn't fall asleep! I realized there must be a critical window that lasts about 1/2 hour!

 

[Mrs. Charming]

I love melatonin, I get such beautiful sleep when I take it. I'm not taking it now since I'm preggos, though. Oh, and if any of you ladies are TTC and taking melatonin, it might mess with your ovulation. (TMI, but true. Found that out the hard way!)

 

[horseshowmom]

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

In my case, I don't have any trouble getting back to sleep. I just hate waking up to start with. I would LOVE to sleep through the entire night. That seems like such a luxury at this point. I'm hoping the extended release will help with that.

 

[lillygator]

hmm this is interesting. I have such a hard time falling asleep, I may have to give this a try.

 

[bicker]

Better living through chemistry.

 

[CaliforniaDreamin]

Has anyone who has relied on OTC sleep aids without much sucess switched to melatonin and found it to be more effective? I've taken OTC sleep aids for so long, it's losing effectiveness and I have to take more and more.

 

[Arielle22]

Last Thurs I took DD16 to the dr for sleep issues.

One thing she was told was to take 1 pill of the 3mg melatonin each night at 8pm. She has been taking them since and it has helped tremendously.

 

[ChristaDeVil]

Has anyone who has relied on OTC sleep aids without much sucess switched to melatonin and found it to be more effective? I've taken OTC sleep aids for so long, it's losing effectiveness and I have to take more and more.

Yes! I took Tylenol PM for so long that it stopped working. Melatonin worked like a dream (Ha) and no grogginess the next day!

 

[HunnyPots]

Has anyone who has relied on OTC sleep aids without much sucess switched to melatonin and found it to be more effective? I've taken OTC sleep aids for so long, it's losing effectiveness and I have to take more and more.

Yes! I never had any luck with OTC sleep aids and then I found out all they are is diphenhydramine, aka, benadryl! If I take Benadryl for allergy symptoms I'm bouncing off the wall so no wonder the sleep aids did not work. Melatonin is totally different. Instead of that drugged sleep most people get with other meds, you get a very relaxed feeling with no hangover in the morning. I use the timed release formula.

 

[CaliforniaDreamin]

Yes! I took Tylenol PM for so long that it stopped working. Melatonin worked like a dream (Ha) and no grogginess the next day!

THANK YOU. I got up to 6 Tylenol PM a night, my dr freaked out when I told him, (it can ruin your liver) but he refused to put me on a sleeping pill. I had to go back to Tylenol PM and now it does nothing. Thank you so much for sharing your experience. I'm going to try melatonin.

 

[CaliforniaDreamin]

Yes! I never had any luck with OTC sleep aids and then I found out all they are is diphenhydramine, aka, benadryl! If I take Benadryl for allergy symptoms I'm bouncing off the wall so no wonder the sleep aids did not work. Melatonin is totally different. Instead of that drugged sleep most people get with other meds, you get a very relaxed feeling with no hangover in the morning. I use the timed release formula.

YAY. My dr told me to switch from Tylenol PM to benedryl once and I did notice that diphenhydramine is the active ingredient in benedryl and it won't hurt your liver like all that tylenol. But I got to where it wouldn't work either. SO happy to see people who went from OTC drugs to melatonin and it worked.

 

[tink_n_pooh]

DH & I both take melatonin and it works pretty well for us. We give it to our dog as well but with him it's for a skin condition that he has, the vet recommended it and it seems to be working

 

[funkychunkymonkey]

I had my first meition induce nightmare last night,I was drowning

 

[CaliforniaDreamin]

I had my first meition induce nightmare last night,I was drowning

Oh no, that's awful. I was on Ambien for about a week and had horrific nightmares. And that was after I begged the PA at my dr office to let me try it for a week, I was so desperate for sleep. My normal dr. would not have let me try it. Now I know better. I'm going to get some melatonin today and pray I can sleep peacefully.

 

[bicker]

I've never had a nightmare while taking Melatonin.

 

[KimR]

I've never had a nightmare while taking Melatonin.

Me neither, although I have had some very strange and vivid dreams. No nighmares, though, thank goodness.

Also, those of you for whom benadryl doesn't work - you might want to try unisom. There are 2 varieties, though, so make sure you get the one with doxilamine succinate. It works much better for me than benadryl, especially if I take it with a glass or 2 of wine. Also, you can take it while pregnant (without the wine, of course).

 

[Darsa]

I never had nightmares either; I slept like a ROCK, didn't remember anything the next day. Which is unusual for me... but good!

 

[mrsminniemouse]

We just got back from Florida 2 days ago. We live in England so the jet lag is quite bad. My dd7 takes up to 2 hours to all asleep at night anyway so with jetlag she is awake until about 1am. Eek!

I have some 3mg melatonin tablets I bought in America. In UK you can only get them on prescription for ADHD type disorders.

My children are 3 and 7. What dosage should I give them? Half a tablet? (1.5mg)

Thanks
Mandy x

 

[Feralpeg]

It can be hard on your stomach. I tried taking it, but I have chronic stomach issues and it made my stomach much worse, unfortunately.