Melatonin?

[moshpitmunkey]

Really needing to get some sleep, I'm exhausted. Going to try melatonin but has anyone experienced any negative side effects from taking it? I dont plan to use it as a long term solution but I need some relief.

 

[Poofycat]

I've been taking it for a couple months now with no side effects. My husband has tried it a couple times but says it makes his dreams weirder. Melatonin is a hormone that helps your body regulate night and day cycles, so it actually works best when taken long term. It should also be taken 1.5 to 2 hours before you go to bed. It's not a sleeping pill so won't knock you out right away. I've also started taking 500mg of Magnesium before bed. It promotes sleep by relaxing muscles and has other calming effects. But it's also a laxative which might cause some problems.

 

[Silver.]

Your body makes melatonin, it's what controls our sleep cycles. Sometimes it's good to have that extra boost using a supplement to help get you to sleep.
Try and start with a lower dose (1mg) and see if it helps you get to sleep. Take Care

 

[Powder]

I use one that says "extended release" which is probably good if you wake in the early morning hours and can't go back to sleep easily.

However, like @Poofycat said, it can make my dreams "weird" and like a circus. On the other hand, people have said I "look better rested" when I take it for a week.

I agree to take it 1-2 hours prior to sleep and you can feel it sort of help you get more sleepy.

 

[moshpitmunkey]

Thanks for the tips. Glad to hear from someone who has taken it long term. I think I might try the magnesium too, for the muscle relaxing effect. Just want to rest and not feel like a zombie. Its much appreciated, thanks

 

[moshpitmunkey]

I use one that says "extended release" which is probably good if you wake in the early morning hours and ca...

I thought I replied to this. Circus dreams huh? Interesting. My younger sister was on it for a brief period of time and she said it caused her to have scary lucid dreams and nightmares O_O really hoping I skip the dreams altogether I have enough nightmares on my own. Thanks for your input I'll take your advice

 

[Poofycat]

Melatonin and Magnesium can both increase the occurrence of lucid dreams. If you struggle with nightmares you might want to discuss getting a prescription for Prazosin. It's blood pressure medication that is used off label to great nightmares caused by PTSD. It somehow lessens the effect of adrenaline. I currently take 9mg Melatonin, 500mg Magnesium, and 5mg Prazosin. My doctor has told me that it's generally safe to take up to 10mg Melatonin and 10mg of Prazosin, but you'll want to talk to your doctor about dosage, and titrating up to a dosage that works for you. Do you have a doctor that you can talk to about psych meds? My general doctor is pretty useless for stuff like this. I lucked out by finding a talk therapist who is also a psychiatric nurse practitioner that can prescribe meds.

 

[Zanshin]

Count me in on the weird dreams - I was better off not sleeping. :P

 

[moshpitmunkey]

Melatonin and Magnesium can both increase the occurrence of lucid dreams. If you struggle with nightma...

Really? Wow okay this is good information. Definitely dont want to do anything to make the dreams worse or any more intense than what they already are. Yeah my doctor is pretty useless when it comes to anything psych related as well. He barely wanted to give me anything to treat a contusion I had YEARS ago. But maybe I could find someone to speak to through my own therapist? I'd like to look into that and see what my options are.

And talk about hitting the jackpot with your therapist!

 

[moshpitmunkey]

Count me in on the weird dreams - I was better off not sleeping. :P

I'm right there with you @Zanshin :)

 

[claroscuro]

It worked great for me, until it didn't. I now only use it when migraines become more regular.

I found that I had to take the melatonin at least 10 hours before I had to get up the next morning. If I took it too late I either slept through my alarm, or felt really groggy the next day. I also found that I couldn't take it every night, only every second night, or I'd have the same effect as taking it too late. For this reason, when I recommend it to friends I always suggest they start on a night when they don't need to be up early the next day.

 

[moshpitmunkey]

It worked great for me, until it didn't. I now only use it when migraines become more regular.

I f...

Ahh okay..i see. Really good to know maybe I should start it on a weekend and not at the end of the week to see how it will affect me as I don't have school or work this weekend. Thanks for sharing your experience