Can Melatonin Help?

[Kabuto]

I'm not suggesting that it can be a replacement for CPAP, just a potential supplement. Could it be of aid at all? Does anyone here recommend it?

[FishLips]

For INSOMNIA, my sleep doc suggested it in a VERY small dose (smaller than any dose I could find - I think it was 0.5 mg), a few (meaning 3) hours before bed time.

Her prescription was intended only to jump-start the body to make it's own melatonin. Other methods include avoiding light-emitting screens (phone, tv, LED lighting), amber-tinted lenses to block unnatural blue lighting.

None of this, including melatonin, will keep you from waking up. It just gets you to sleep. And it's not fast-acting. If you wake up at 3:30 am, like I often do, popping a melatonin tablet won't really help.

That said, YMMV.

[LSAT]

I'm not suggesting that it can be a replacement for CPAP, just a potential supplement. Could it be of aid at all? Does anyone here recommend it?

You have done nothing but look for excuses for not using cpap. I'm sure you are hoping Melatonin will replace the machine...IT WILL NOT. Suck it up and use the machine.

[Guest]

I'm not suggesting that it can be a replacement for CPAP, just a potential supplement. Could it be of aid at all? Does anyone here recommend it?

Melatonin is a sleep aid. People with sleep apnea normally have no trouble getting to sleep - they just have to stop moving and sleep happens.

Melatonin doesn't get O2 to the heart, brain, or other vital organs that is where cpap comes in.

If you having trouble getting to sleep melatonin is a reasonable choice and preferred over other sleep aids, esp. the addictive ones. Just buy the smallest size tablets you can and even then I would cut them in half then in half again, so pick up a pill cutter while you are there. Put the 1/4 tab under your tongue about 30-40 min before bed time.

Best to try to get to sleep w/o any meds first but if you can't get to sleep after 30 min or so then try the melatonin.

fwiw - exercise is the best sleep aid. Melatonin is good to get the sleep cycle back after a time change or when traveling to a diff time zone.

[Pugsy]

Read up on the side effects. Melatonin does have some side effects that aren't so pleasant.
That said, there are a lot of people who do very well with Melatonin helping them fall asleep.
I was one of the people who had the misfortune to have one of the side effects that wasn't so pleasant even at the tiniest of doses. So I have no idea how well it might help or not. Can't take it.

Melatonin doesn't do anything to help if a person has sleep apnea. It's just a "help you to get to sleep" aid.

[ChicagoGranny]

Melatonin is a sleep aid.

It's actually an important human hormone. Scientists learned how to synthesize it and sell it as a supplement.

[sleeepy]

Melatonin is a sleep aid.

It's actually an important human hormone. Scientists learned how to synthesize it and sell it as a supplement.

That it is and taking too much can cause the body to reduce production. It is secreted after sundown or in low light conditions as a sleep aid to keep the sleep cycle regular.

[ChicagoGranny]

as a sleep aid

It is not an aid as the word "aid" is used. It's a critical regulator in the sleep process.

That it is and taking too much can cause the body to reduce production.

There is no test which will show whether the body is producing an amount of melatonin necessary for proper sleep. Given this and the fact that melatonin is a powerful hormone, I do not recommend the use of melatonin supplements except under the close care of a sleep doctor who is very familiar with the latest research on melatonin.

I have found that most people who resort to melatonin, would be better served by working on this list:

- Practice good sleep hygiene (Google it and read several sources)
- Eat a good diet
- Have a regular, moderate exercise program
- Try to avoid daytime naps
- Practice total abstinence of caffeine including sources like chocolate (sigh)
- Review all medicines, vitamins and supplements you are taking to make sure none are interfering with sleep
- Use the bedroom for sleeping (and sex) only, and make sure the bedroom and bed are comfortable.
- Learn to appropriately handle emotional stress in your life
- Do not listen to your breathing or the sound of the machine as you are falling asleep.
- Distract your mind by thinking of a pleasant, relaxing activity that you enjoy. Thinking of sitting under an umbrella on a quiet beach with a warm gentle breeze works for me.
- Use CPAP software, such as the free SleepyHead, to make sure your therapy is optimized
- If you still don't feel or sleep well, make sure you have regular medical checkups to confirm there are no other medical problems

CG

[ChicagoGranny]

Melatonin

You might find this article interesting - https://vanwinkles.com/the-dark-side-do ... -melatonin

[sleeepy]

sleeepy wrote:
as a sleep aid
It is not an aid as the word "aid" is used. It's a critical regulator in the sleep process.

From your link

Its most common application is that of sleep aid; users are told to take their dose directly before bedtime, when endogenous levels are already on the rise. Frequent fliers swear by its effectiveness in recovering from jet lag recovery, saying the hormone helps reset their biological clock in a new time zone.

Its most common application is that of sleep aid; users are told to take their dose directly before bedtime, when endogenous levels are already on the rise. Frequent fliers swear by its effectiveness in recovering from jet lag recovery, saying the hormone helps reset their biological clock in a new time zone.

When used occasionally and at the correct time, melatonin is a fine means of encouraging sleep. But, ironically, with prolonged use, it can actually amplify insomnia.

While there can be drawbacks this was mentioned

This doesn’t mean melatonin is without potential benefits. Farez wants to see more research on its immunologic potential, as his most recent study suggests melatonin could play a role in managing multiple sclerosis. It’s also widely used to fight certain types of cancer, as it combats tumor cells.

I know it has been said that working the night shift prevents the normal melatonin levels in the body and can possibly contribute to prostate cancer in men.

Life is all about balance - too much of a good thing can kill just as too much water does.

For those who have more questions read CGs link above. It points out the good as well as the bad.

[NotMe]

I find that melatonin can help me stay asleep or go back to sleep when I wake up early..

The recommended dose to start with is 0.3mg. And keep it less than 1mg. You can find .3mg tablets at the large Internet store that we all use.

[ChicagoGranny]

From your link

That is why melatonin is so abused and the dosage is very much too high. People, even writers of blogs, do think melatonin is a sleep aid and do not understand it is a powerful hormone.

[FishLips]

Before you look into any hormone/supplement/sleep aid/whatever, look into Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I).

There's an iphone app developed by the US Veterans Administration that is worth getting to know and using. I, myself, need annual refresher courses.

[JimW159]

I'm not suggesting that it can be a replacement for CPAP, just a potential supplement. Could it be of aid at all? Does anyone here recommend it?

Is it your understanding that CPAP's purpose is to help you sleep? Not so, I say. Rather, its purpose is to help you breathe without the interruptions that awaken you during the night. No amount of Melatonin or any other "sleep aid" will do that. Imagine, if you will, being awakened throughout the night with something blocking your airway and attempting to smother you (your tongue). No pill will help, but the countervailing pressure of CPAP will and does. Melatonin may help you relax and fall asleep but it wont keep you sleep in the face of obstructed breathing - be glad that it doesn't, it could be a very long sleep.

[klv329]

yeah, i like the melatonin now and again, helps sleep. 3mg offf and on. I'm a finicky sleeper and it seems to help

now this parent at work gives 3mg to his 4 year old when the child has a cold and he says it cures colds with all that good rest. i had to tell him melatonin hasn't been on the market all that long and he should do some research on it before feeding it to a growing child.