OT...Melatonin and Covid 19

[LSAT]

https://www.webmd.com/lung/news/2020111 ... t-covid-19

[Julie]

Wow, thank you!

I do take 1-3 mg at night because an antihistamine keeps me awake otherwise, and while I'm in such a safe area Covid-wise, it's a bit worse lately (duh) and it's nice to know I might have a little edge just in case now.

[st8728]

Interesting if true. I take 5mg a night otherwise I cannot fall asleep or stay asleep.

[Pugsy]

Watch out you folks that take it. I predict shortages as people read this article and go buy it.
If your supply is low and you don't want to do without...might want to stock up a little bit.

Me...melatonin causes extreme vertigo so I don't want it.

Any of you guys/gals wanting to take it and never have....it does come with some baggage or side effects that aren't so nice.
So be sure to read up on the potential side effects. The list is longer than one might think.

[st8728]

I’ve been taking it for about 2 years now. Originally I was on 2mg but that stopped working after some time I went to 4mg now on 5mg. I get 3 months worth at a time and it’s also prescription only in Australia so probably we are less likely to run out.

I have to get it compounded because they don’t sell that large of a dose normally here (only 2mg). I tried many things like sleeping pills and antihistamines however they left me with a hungover type thing. Thankfully I have never had any issues taking it.

[RobertS975]

https://www.webmd.com/lung/news/2020111 ... t-covid-19

As a physician, I have kept myself abreast of the vast amount of information and data coming in on Covid-19. The melatonin potential to be protective in Covid-19 has been around for many months now. (President Trump was given melatonin and the press assumed it was to help him sleep!) Melatonin appears to have a general anti-inflammatory effect and dampens the chance of a cytokine storm.

[weiss27md]

Melatonin doses can vary greatly from 300mcg to 10mg. There are many things that can suppress melatonin like caffeine and blue light. Sufficient vitamin D levels also shows positive outcomes for recovery. Melatonin should be taken around 8-9 hours before you want to wake up. You can't just take it and go to sleep for 6 hours or you will be groggy.

[kbh209]

Watch out you folks that take it. I predict shortages as people read this article and go buy it.
If your supply is low and you don't want to do without...might want to stock up a little bit.

Me...melatonin causes extreme vertigo so I don't want it.

Any of you guys/gals wanting to take it and never have....it does come with some baggage or side effects that aren't so nice.
So be sure to read up on the potential side effects. The list is longer than one might think.

It's interesting for sure, the effects. Let's just say, 5mg of Melatonin balances out the sleep deprivation from the 5mg of Prednisone. Groggy when waking up...but it allows me to sleep. Tried to get off of the Melatonin but wasn't successful because said prescription. Still a better option than prescription sleep medication for me. The Endocrinologist, the Rheumatologist and the Sleep Specialist know that I take Melatonin.

[LSAT]

Melatonin doses can vary greatly from 300mcg to 10mg. There are many things that can suppress melatonin like caffeine and blue light. Sufficient vitamin D levels also shows positive outcomes for recovery. Melatonin should be taken around 8-9 hours before you want to wake up. You can't just take it and go to sleep for 6 hours or you will be groggy.

I CAN....... I am one of the older people on this board. I have been taking Melatonin for years. I took 3mg for a couple years and about a year ago my PCP suggested I up it to 5mg. I usually take it about an hour before I go to sleep. It helps me fall asleep, but 6-7 hours later I am up and cannot fall back asleep. I have never had a problem with being groggy in the morning........Now...of course the way it affects me doesn't mean it will affect everyone the same way. If you are going to try Melatonin you should check with your doctor and start with a low dose. Unfortunately, it's hard to find low dose Melatonin at local pharmacies....you may need to use the internet.

[ChicagoGranny]

This is a bit off-topic, but this statement in the actual study caught my eye --

L-arginine can be converted to nitric oxide by the nitric oxide synthases, and it was shown that nitric oxide protects against viral infection through multiple potential mechanisms.
https://journals.plos.org/plosbiology/a ... 970#sec011

It is known that nitric oxide is produced in the nasal airways and passed into the lungs (https://journals.plos.org/plosbiology/a ... 970#sec011 ).

Those of us who do some mouthbreathing inhale lower levels of nitric oxide. For this very reason, some time ago, I started using Somnifix strips to tape my lips closed at night. The amount of time I am able to sleep at night has increased significantly. Concurrently, there is a greater feeling of wellbeing upon awakening.

Note: I like my FFM so much, I continue to use it with the Somnifix strips underneath.

[RogerSC]

I've been taking 300mcg of melatonin at night for a long time, seems to help me fall back asleep in the morning after 5 or 6 hours of sleep. Generally speaking, I feel pretty miserable if I get up after only that initial 5 or 6 hours of sleep, so the added couple of hours of sleep is welcome. And I don't have coronavirus, so proof positive there, too *smile*...who needs science and studies, after all, anecdotal medicine is much more reliable and generally applicable. Anyways, I've also read that one's melatonin production declines with aging. And also that taking a low dose (like 300mcg) interferes less with one's natural production of melatonin.

If you research this on the internet you'll find differing information from various sources. The Mayo Clinic site, more traditional than most, indicates that melatonin production goes down with aging...I can go with that *smile*.