[sconnie892]

Anyone have experience with taking melatonin for insomnia?
My t suggested I try it and I am just wondering if anyone else has experience with it, side effects, etc.

[Inedible]

Melatonin works better if you can avoid exposure to light. It doesn't make you go to sleep, but it makes it easier to go to sleep. If you stay active, you can over-ride melatonin and stay awake. Dosages can vary wildly. I have seen supplements with as little as 0.5 mg, but usually I find 1 - 3 mg supplements in stores. There used to be a tea by Celestial Seasonings with melatonin in it; it doesn't really have any taste. They stopped making it, and I have found that dissolving melatonin in tea just isn't the same somehow. It isn't something I take often, but you can take it daily. Infrequent use just seems to keep it working better for me.

[publius]

I take melatonin nightly. I discovered it when I worked the night shift and had trouble sleeping during the day. It really helps me.

[pbutton]

I have 5 Mg pills. It does work for me, but it makes my dreams more vivid. And I have a tendency towards unpleasant dreams. It does help me sleep better & I don't have any other side effects.

[sconnie892]

Thanks for the info. I just started it yesterday. Except I am horrible when it comes to the metric system. I bought the 300 mcg tablets thinking that was the same as 3mg...ooops. Guess I will see how it goes. I can always get a higher dosage or take more than one tablet if this doseage doesn't work.

[Inedible]

Well ... you never know. I just figured more is better than less so I kept taking more. At one point, 15 mg with alcohol.

The point is that 300 mcg is 0.3 mg and you may have chosen the better dosage.

Originally Posted by http://web.mit.edu/newsoffice/2001/melatonin-1017.html

The researchers also discovered that the typical health food store dosage of melatonin, which is about three milligrams (or 10 times the dosage in the study), is less effective in treating insomnia. In addition, the higher dosage can cause potentially serious side effects, including hypothermia (low body temperature). The study also showed that the higher dosage elevated plasma melatonin levels during the day, which can cause a "hangover" effect in some of the subjects.

[student646]

Unlike other sleeping pills, it isn't generally effective for hours. You cannot wait for it to make you tired. It varies with everyone, but for me melatonin kicks in after about an hour. It appears as a minor sleep "suggestion." You start thinking about sleep, but you won't fall asleep with a book on your face like excendrin PM or something like that. You should be in bed, with your eyes closed, 50 minutes after you take it. Then you fall asleep. If you try to finish the chapter you are reading or the TV show you are watching, you will miss the window and it won't work. For me, if I even wait until an hour and a half after I take it to close my eyes then it won't work. But otherwise I have found it to be the best sleep aid around. It isn't expensive, it isn't addictive, and it doesn't make you groggy the next day. I get a touch sleepy the first day that I use it if I haven't used it in a long time, but that goes away.

Melatonin = time-sensitive lullaby
Other sleep aids = hammer

[SeekerofLight]

My daughter takes it and swears by it. I've always used Valerian with really good results.

[buttrfli42481]

I take melatonin on a regular basis. In fact, my pdoc "prescribes" it for me. I take 6mg every night along with my other meds that have a side effect of drowsiness. The downfall is that I still have a hard time getting to sleep. When I was in the hospital recently, I was taking 10mg of ambien along with the 6mg of melatonin and 1mg of ativan. That made me sleep like a hybernating bear. Unfortunately, my neuro took me off the ambien because it is addictive. Back to melatonin, I will give it to my daughter when she needs it, it is that safe.

[wanttoheal]

I take a product called MidNite. It helps me fall asleep in about 20-30 minutes. I have tried plain melatonin and I didn't have as good results as with this blend. I've also tried store brand knockoffs, but I didn't have as good results with those either. I've been pretty impressed with it.

Here is an except from their website:

MidNite's four natural sleep ingredients include melatonin (1.5 mg. of European melatonin) and a proprietary blend of lavender, lemon balm and chamomile (22 mcg.). The blend was developed to provide optimal sleep results.


MidNite works differently from prescription, non-prescription and other herbal sleep products. Unlike products that work by “knocking you out”, MidNite does not cause sedation. It actually works to relax you so your natural sleep cycle can take over.

Because MidNite is non-sedating, you can take it anytime up to three hours before you wish to awaken - even in the middle of the night. It will not cause morning grogginess, affect your mood, alertness, or ability to function normally with a clear head if taken as directed.

The use of sedatives as in some other sleep remedies can lead to a less natural sleep pattern and less restful sleep.
Important Facts About MidNite:

• MidNite contains no drug ingredients whatsoever.
• MidNite is gluten and lactose free.
• MidNite's pleasant tasting tablets are not cavity causing.
• Unlike over the counter sleep drugs, there are no specific reasons why you should not be able to take MidNite if you suffer from Bronchitis, Glaucoma or Prostate problems.

You Can Take MidNite Without Even Getting Out of Bed! MidNite’s unique fast dissolve tablets are packaged individually in protective easy-open blister packages. That makes it easy to take MidNite without water, and without even having to get out of bed. Keep them bedside and reach for a tablet if you are having trouble relaxing so you can get to sleep or fall back to sleep. Studies prove that exposure to light and sensory stimulation makes it more difficult to get back to sleep. That’s why MidNite’s unique bedside dosage form is an important feature.

[sconnie892]

Thanks for the info wanttoheal.

I've got a week in now. I started with just the 300mcg but it didn't do much - other than give me a really vivid dream about therapy! So I upped to 600mcg and take it about an hour before bedtime. I've found turning down the lights in my house has been helpful also. Not sure if I've taken it long enough to really judge if it's working or not. Maybe I need a larger dosage to really feel the effects. I am hoping it helps with adjusting to the time change this weekend.

[sconnie892]

The melatonin was amazing for dealing with the time change. While everyone else at the office was dragging on Monday, I was ready to go. I adjusted the time I took the melatonin one hour earlier the night of the time switch and transitioned seamlessly to the new sleep time. I've stuck with the 600mcg dose. After a week I was sleeping much more soundly than I had been and the initial insomnia seems to have lessened immensely.

[Melancolic]

Originally Posted by sconnie892

Anyone have experience with taking melatonin for insomnia?
My t suggested I try it and I am just wondering if anyone else has experience with it, side effects, etc.

Melatonin is naturally produced in the brain by the pineal gland so there are no side effects and it is quickly broken down by light. I have been taking it for the last 4months.

[Ortus]

I've also used Melatonin to sleep. It is like the above poster said, a lullaby. I did not wake in the middle of the night either. I use it sparingly now because my sleep issues have improved.

[Mogie]

I've been taking it for quite awhile. I usually find that after about 3 weeks it's good to take some time off it, for like a week. I find also that yes I have vivid dreams, but that if I take the time before bed to shut down the tube and computer, and give myself some down time; plus, listen to soothing music that I can usually have more positive dreams.

[Yoda]

I have been taking 5 mg sublingual for three months now. No big effect either positive or negative. I also take xanax to help me sleep though.