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Is it safe to use a high dose melatonin (10-15mg) daily?
Sleep Health | Last Active: Aug 5, 2022 | Replies (20)Comment receiving replies
First of all I’m autistic so I just say it like it is there’s a warning. That being said you said you’re 73 why are we worrying about long-term consequences? Unless you come from a long line of people that live into their 90s I would say you’re probably in the last quarter of your life much like I’m in the last quarter of mine. Melatonin has been shown to be very effective at 10 mg every night for older people or people with chronic health conditions. It also helps modulate the immune system. It does a lot of good things.
Now the other supplements you’re taking for sleep some of them taken together can suppress your respiration. It wouldn’t hurt to ask your doctor for an overnight pulse ox symmetry test to make sure that it’s not sedating you too much.
Replies to "First of all I’m autistic so I just say it like it is there’s a warning...."
Thank you for the info on Melatonin! I wondered why my new Doctor asked if I was taking Melatonin when I asked if I could have a mild sleeping pill. I did not know about the possible negative side effects, so no duo for me! I have a serious sleep problem, so I was using a bunch of over the counter pills . I sleep four or five ( max) hours each night. Every once in a while I beg for a real pill. I use CBD for my P-N, but cannot tolerate The THC for sleep. Hey, long ago an occasional party high was fun, ..but now it gives me a strongly adverse feeling. I am sure I will find the right combo of something other than prescriptions eventually! BTW, my pill chart, with pictures, strength and requirements are at my local Pharmacist for review. We all need to see what might be too much, too little or an interaction, right?
Best wishes, and thanks again!!
Well, I'm 73 but my mom is almost 96 and has severe dementia, otherwise healthy. My dad was 94 when he died. He had Alzheimer's, with all the typical ALZ syndromes. He also did not have other diseases that would kill him, such as heart disease, nor cancer, so it was a matter of ALZ progressing to brain areas that could kill him. I don't want to live that long, but I don't want to take something that could negatively affect my brain either.
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@emmamaagic First, welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect! I see you may have been reading the forums here for a few weeks before your first post.
It sounds like @elg920 has taken some other supplements in the past, but may not be doing so right now. I have been cautious to take melatonin myself, since there are several medications both over-the-counter and prescription already in my pill box! I prefer to use meditation, guided imagery, or music to calm me down enough to get some sleep. It sure seems everyone is different, doesn't it?
@emmamaagic what has your experience with melatonin been like? What doses worked for you?
I would also like to invite you to look through the discussions in the Autism Spectrum group and give us some valuable input as another member living with autism. https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/autism/ I myself have Asperger's, diagnosed late in life.
Ginger