Melatonin?

leapinglizards3 · #1 (**permalink**) 09-03-2008, 01:44 PM

Does anyone take melatonin to sleep better? A co-worker swears by it. (She is pre-diabetic and takes metformin.) I'm having a VERY difficult time sleeping and am considering taking it...I'd rather take something "natural" than a sleeping pill. I will also ask the pharmasist...but rely on you guys for advice as well..

I've already been through the sleep apnea testing..they say I don't stop breathing enough times during my sleep to be considered to have sleep apnea, and the only thing that will help it is weight loss (I'm working on it). In the mean time, I wake up exhausted...was late to work this morning because I didn't want to get up because I am SOOO tired....

HELP!

Elizabeth

princesslinda · #2 (**permalink**) 09-03-2008, 01:55 PM

I take melatonin on occasion and have had no problems with it. I like that it doesn't make you feel "hung-over" like the Benadryl (common ingredient in the OTC sleep aids) will do. Also, I find that Benadryl makes my heart race if I take it too often. I had more trouble sleeping just after diagnosis (probably due to the stress).

Truthfully, I find that if I allow myself time to "wind down" in the evenings rather than just turning off the TV and going to bed, I sleep much better. My routine is to turn off the TV and the bright overhead lights and sit and have a cup of s/f cocoa or camomile (?sp) tea about 20-30 minutes before I know i'm going to bed. If you don't like quiet, play some relaxing music. That seems to calm my thoughts and help me relax.

Also, are you allowing yourself opportunity to get enough sleep? I'm always amazed at my co-workers, many of whom stay up until midnight or later, then wonder why they are so tired the next morning. Add kids and stress to the mix, no wonder we are so tired.

Do you wake up often throughout the night? Numerous bathroom trips at night? All of this can make you tired the next morning.

CookD · #3 (**permalink**) 09-03-2008, 02:00 PM

I've taken melatonin in the past. I don't know whether it interacts with our meds but it did help me get to sleep faster when I took it. MY DH swears by it, but of course he doesn't have the big D.

jillrapp · #4 (**permalink**) 09-03-2008, 02:28 PM

I use melatonin often. My sugars are very much in control, I do whatever I can to de-stress before bedtime, and I just cannot stay sleeping. My next jump may be Lunesta, however, I'm giving Melatonin a try for 2 months. fyi - my Doctor said it's perfectly harmless with all of my other meds.

leapinglizards3 · #5 (**permalink**) 09-03-2008, 02:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by princesslinda

Also, are you allowing yourself opportunity to get enough sleep? I'm always amazed at my co-workers, many of whom stay up until midnight or later, then wonder why they are so tired the next morning. Add kids and stress to the mix, no wonder we are so tired.

Do you wake up often throughout the night? Numerous bathroom trips at night? All of this can make you tired the next morning.

I try to go to bed around 11, alarm is set for 7am, but I never get up until 7:45am. I should be plenty sleepy, as whenevr family visits they comment on how dark it is in the house.

As for stressors, my best friends son-in-law had been in ICU since Saturday afternoon due to pneumonia and I'm worried about mine and my fathers diabetes...

I seem to wake up multiple times just to roll over or change positions and go back to sleep. I used to wake up once or twice starting around 2 to use the restroom, but since I cut out caffeine after 7pm last week, I've just been waking at about 6:30am to use the rest room.

Elizabeth

The curtains are closed and the only light in the room is the soft blue "moonlight" in my gecko Jerry's tank..but it doesn't seem to bother me anymore.

princesslinda · #6 (**permalink**) 09-03-2008, 02:37 PM

Stress can certainly interfere with sleep. Its hard to turn the mind off when you have a lot going on in your life.

Try the melatonin and see how it works for you. I find it works best if I take it 1-1.5 hrs before I want to go to bed, as it takes a little while to take effect (or it did with me). I bought mine at Walmart, not very expensive at all. I like to take it for when we travel on vacation.

Hopefully it will help improve your sleep.

notme · #7 (**permalink**) 09-03-2008, 04:15 PM

I use Melatonin every night. I am at the age of "no sleep". No matter what tricks I try, I have the exact same routine. I go to bed around 11:00 and I am usually pretty tired. I turn off the tv and wind down a bit and fall fast asleep.........for exactly 15 minutes. Then I will stay awake until 3 or 4am. No matter what tricks I have tried....no tv....milk....reading..... NOTHING works.

I did get a prescription from my doctor for Ambien and it works very well. Long term, it is addictive and it nauseates me after about the third night. I only take Ambien once in awhile.

I talked to my doctor about melatonin and she assured me it was totally harmless. I take 5mg per night.