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What is the starting dose for Melatonin? Is this good for Insomnia?
Hi, a resident here told me about trying Melatonin. I have had a very difficult time sleeping. Only averaging about three hours a night. I go to sleep fairly easily, as I am prescribed 2mg in morning and 2mg at bedtime by Psychiatrist. However, I wake up always at 1 or 2am..and can't go back to sleep. I have spoken to her about this, and she just prescribes "sleep aids" that are basically sedating antihistamines..like Hydroxyzine, Clonodine, but it does very little for relaxation or staying asleep. She stopped them. Then she put me on Ambien but told me to take "as needed" only. However, I "needed" it every night. It stopped working after two months. She got upset because I took it every night. I pleaded with her for Sonata, as that used to help me, but she refuses..instead putting me on a very sedating antipsychotic called Seroquel. She said she prescribes a "low dose" for people with insomnia, when I expressed my concern about being put on that when I only have Major Depressive disorder, and panic attacks, that I am already on meds for. She prescribed 50mg. It does not help. I told her, and she increased to 100mg to no avail. A resident suggested Melatonin..but I don't know what dosage to start off with. Them I saw on a website, that people with Insomnia should not take this, only people with jet lag..I'm confused. Does anyone take this for Insomnia and how much? I have tried everything to no avail. I can't take herbs due to drug interactions. I don't do anything stimulating or drink caffeine before bed. Thanks for reading.
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@eliana5 I use melatonin to help me get to sleep. From my knowledge it is very commonly used for that. I started with 1 mg. I now take 3 mg when I take it and hesitate to go higher because I have read that more than that can cause nightmares.
It does help me get to sleep but it doesn’t last through the night. There is an Rx only melatonin now that is time released so does help with being able to stay asleep.
JK
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2 Reactions@eliana5 your pharmacist or doctor. Could advise you about the dose of melatonin and frequency. Also should be on the bottle.
Thank you. This is very helpful. Someone here - resident said she takes "gummies"? I guess they should come in tablets too..I will try it. I hope I can also get it prescribed, but I am figuring Psychiatrist won't prescribe it, so I wonder if General doctor's can? Thank you for the helpful information..☺
Pharmacist did not know. Psychiatrist won't prescribe. Will make an appt with General Doctor. Thank you..☺
@elania5 here’s what the Mayo Clinic has to say about Melatonin: https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements-melatonin/art-20363071
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1 ReactionBy the way, I have read that as you age there is a drop in the melatonin that your body naturally produces, thus the reason why us older people have more trouble sleeping.
I haven’t really researched this, just came across it somewhere, but it probably makes sense.
JK
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2 ReactionsI'm so glad you posted this. Went on link..the other Google site said "do not take for sleep/wake or insomnia..but the mayo link said it can be taken for sleep/wake..insomnia. So, I'm very relieved. I also did not know as we age we produce less. I thought I was the only person with this problem..thank you! ☺
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1 Reaction@eliana5 I go to the Mayo Clinics site for all medical questions. Good luck with all this!
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1 Reaction@eliana5 as I said, I have not researched it, so I am not sure about producing less melatonin. I have read in numerous places though that more than 3 mg causes nightmares in some people, but some people seem to do fine with higher doses.
I think the Mayo link is one of the best for info. I find the NCBI site helpful also, and there are a couple of others from major medical centers. I only read those.
JK
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3 ReactionsI take remeron and trazadone and Valium in evening for sleep and also melatonin but small dose. Is it ok to take 5mg melatonin with other meds.