Thursday, 01 January 2009
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Why I hate melatonin.
A few weeks ago, I posted about my battle with insomnia and RLS. (You can see it featured on healthkicker today ... yes, I am Ms. Cookie. 
)
Many of you shared your own stories, and for that, I thank you. It's always nice to know we're not alone in our struggles. For some, melatonin seemed to be the solution.
Melatonin is a hormone secreted by the pineal gland in the brain that helps regulate other hormones and plays a critical role in determining when we fall asleep and when we wake up. It is all-natural and non-habit forming—a change from my current prescription of Ambien CR. Also, at $7.50 for a 60-day supply, the thought of saving money was just an added bonus.As I walked into my local GNC this past weekend, I was hopeful I had found a better solution to my sleeping problem.
I took the sublingual tablet Monday evening—it goes under the tongue for quick disolution and absorption—and within minutes, I felt it coursing through my body. But sleep wouldn't come. In fact, it just made me more aware of the lack of sleep I was getting. My heart was beating through my chest, and even the smallest light from the wall's smoke detector put me on edge. I had the worst headache imaginable, but I couldn't move to fix it. My body was resting, my mind, awake.
When I "woke up" the next morning, I was groggy. I needed to go into work, but couldn't. I ended up falling asleep some time later, and snoozed through most of the afternoon. So much for putting my sleep schedule in check!
Last night, I decided to give it another go. The doctor suggested taking two pills, so I did. But it didn't help. In fact, the headache came faster, and the restlessness was more intense. I was lucky to be able to sleep a few hours this morning, but I'm groggy as hell. I had errands to run today, but I won't be driving anywhere. Better safe than sorry.
Perhaps it's because I have a more advanced case of insomnia and RLS, but melatonin just didn't work for me. I really wish it would have, both for my health and my wallet.
Have you taken melatonin before? What was your experience like?
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Comments (43)
I have used it before. It did work for me but after a few days I developed a rash. When I quit using it the rash went away. So no more for me!
I have actually. I don't have a serious diagnosed case of insomnia but I go thru phases where I struggle with it. I had someone mention it to me and when I tried it I found my body temperature actually rose, making my body feel relaxed but achy and my mind, like yours, was still awake. I have a similar reaction when I take medications such as Sudafed. By the way, being the medical mystery buff that I am...I loved this entry...but I'm sorry you're only writing it due to mysery. I hope you get some rest tonight.
@Hecalmsthestorm - LOL, now I'm gonna be checking myself for rashes ... I think I'm getting a bit itchy ... Seriously, though, I'm sorry that happened to you. What other things are you doing to help you sleep?
@jediwa72 - Ugh, it's weird, isn't it? And of course I'll be resting well tonight, with Ambien by my side
Is Ben letting you rest much? He is just too cute for words, BTW!
I took melatonin for my insomnia and it didn't help me one bit. I'm now on a medication called "trazodone" prescribed by my psych doctor. It seems to be working. I'm on 150 mg.
I use Walmart brand sleep gel pills. They work very well!
My mom suffers from insomnia, but she's one of those people who don't use medicine to treat issues. I wouldn't have any medicine advice for you there.
I hope you can find something to work for you and catch some zzz's!
Sams Club generic for Benedryl is what my guy and my best friend take when they cant sleep. 400 pills cost about $4. They sell them at Wal-mart too. The melatonin makes my friend wired, but my guy says it works for him
I take melatonin every night, and it does help, but I am a little groggy when I wake up in the morning. The groggy-ness seems to go away pretty quickly, though. Have you thought of having a sleep study done? My Dad recently had one done and it was a big help.
Hope things get better :]
@hannuuuuh - Yes, I had a sleep study done two years ago. That's when I was formally diagnosed. I've been taking Ambien CR since then with most success, but I was looking for a more natural alternative.
@BarelyJen - Okay. That's why I take melatonin, is because it's natural and my Mom didn't want me on sleeping meds since I'm only 15.
Maybe a different brand of Melatonin will work better? I may sound funny saying that, but you never know.
@hannuuuuh - That's definitely worth a shot ... if not, I've got something that works. I resigned myself a long time ago to the idea of being dependent on Ambien ... ugh.
I would drink coffee :D
Coffee makes me extremely tired for some reason...
i've taken different brands of melatonin. one made me sleepy and the other one was just like you described. i felt like i'd pulled two allnighters but couldn't fall asleep, and in the morning my boyfriend had to help dress me and put my shoes on because i could hardly move. so... i agree with hannuuuuh.
i take allergy medicine and it makes me sleepy...
Gosh! Sorry that it didn't work out very well for you. Have you tried having your hubby "put you to sleep"?
snicker snicker blush
Happy 2009 New Year! Thanks for the add =)
p/s: wow your eyes are beautiful <3 i just have to say that =D
There's a reason you don't like Melatonin...it doesn't work!!!
The best therapy for sleep disturbances is modifying your sleep patterns/behaviors. That's what causes 90% of insomnia.
A couple of years ago, I was suffering from a horrific case of insomnia, partly b/c my mother was dying of cancer and I wasn't dealing with it very well. ANYWAY, I tried melatonin and omgoodness it made me a nervous wreck. I had the jitters! And it felt like bugs were crawling all over my skin. It was horrible. Stay clear of it.
I took it at one point. It made me feel even more awake, my body sore, and it also made me twitch/shake a little. I took several others, but the one that REALLY worked for me was actually an anti-depressant (Remeron). It works in a weird way because the lower the dosage (so basically when you first start taking it at the lowest dosage), the more tired it makes you. I would seriously be passed out within a half hour.
My mom bought a ton of Melatonin because it was cheap and she thought it would actually work. It worked really well for her in the beginning and she didn't seem to have any bad reactions to it, but it almost seemed like she built up an immunity to it after awhile. I think she still uses it every now and then, though.
i hated using melatonin. i've been on 6 medications for insomnia in the past few months, and nothing helps. :/
@losertasticx - Have you tried Ambien CR? The continued-release formula really helps you stay asleep (and gets you there comfortably).
I feel for you. I have bad anxiety and dread going to bed. It is worse when I lay down. I am trying to break the cycle by thinking positve thoughts before lying down and then while in bed. It is helping today and I feel less tension and pain in my chest and arm!! I never used to have trouble sleeping, but my ex used to take valium every night to sleep!
@BarelyJen - that sounds like something to try, i'll talk to my psychiatrist! :)
First pill, it worked pretty well. After that, it did absolutely nothing for me.