Insomnia/ Melatonin?

Question

I've had trouble with insomnia for years. I tried this stuff called Melatonin and it really did work well for me. I was taking 3 mg. and I cleared this through my doctor who said that I could take 3-6 mg and that it was safe. Another doctor found that I was taking this and they said that it was not safe - in that if you keep taking it that your body won't be making it or something if you keep taking it. So is it safe, and how much is safe. I tried taking 5HTP per their suggestion and it has not worked well.
My doctor said Valerian was not safe, and I only tried it once, and I was more energized than relaxed from taking it.
My question - is what is the root cause of insomnia? I've tried all kinds of things - lavender, herbal teas, etc. lot more exercise. I get a minimum of 30 minutes exercise a day and most days I get 60 and I still don't sleep well now. I was sleeping well taking the melatonin. ideas? thanks A.M. is a great forum thanks everyone!

my wife died in 2006, and my dog died in August - so I'm alone. I've been on disability and dealing with severe pain for 4 years, I'm working very hard at rehabbing myself... I don't do well in my home since my wife's death. to give you an idea - last week I tried all week to get sleep here, so I decided after 4-5 days to go to a hotel. I slept fine. I just couldn't sleep here. I pretty much decided I'm moving out of here then. I couldn't believe how much better I did just getting away from here.
thanks

Answer 1

One question I always ask my patients with insomnia is what time in the evening they eat dinner and then what time they go to bed. The reason I ask has to do with hormones...specifically cortisol.

Let me elaborate. So let's say you have dinner around 6:00pm and then you go to bed around 10:00pm and every night around 2:00 or 3:00am you wake up and have trouble getting back to sleep. What's happening over the course of the 6 to 8 hours since you last ate is that your body is switching it's biochemistry over to one of starvation and dumping Cortisol into your blood stream. Cortisol is a stress hormone that among other things increases alertness and awareness...hence you wake up. Cortisol's job during times of starvation is to go out and scavenge proteins from the tissues of the body to be used as fuel. So one thing that might be helpful for you is to eat a little bit of protein shortly before heading to bed...a handful of nuts or half of a Cliff bar or something...so that you body has a fuel source throughout the night and you can sleep better. Give it shot for a few nights and see if it works. Good luck.

Answer 2

Well, first let's tackle Melatonin. The doc who told you your body would stop making it was right. Another problem with it is that it is shown to induce "tics" and Tourette's Syndrome.
The side effect you experienced from Valerian root is common. If you decide to try it again, take one LESS capsule than you did before. More is not better.
Root causes of insomnia are varied by the individual. Have you examined you sleeping environment? When I had Insomnia, I used soft music to "train" myself to go to sleep. I made a tape of very soft music, got a small boom box and I played the music so soft I had to strain to hear it. In a couple of months, I was asleep before the end of the first song. (I use this with my 22mo son, too.) You can even buy CDs made for sleep now. I recently found the one I use with my son at Target over near the greeting cards. It was called "Sleep for Mom", but it worked for him, too. :) I've also found having a cool mist vaporizer on next to my bed helps me stay asleep once I get there.
Also, look at the rest of your sleeping space. Is the mattress comfortable? Can you see the door from the bed? Is the temp in the room good? If not, get a fan or a heater. Is your room very dark? Are your sheets soft? If you have a TV in your room, get rid of it, that only makes things worse.
Keep up the exercise, that can only help.
It would help to know your age, height and weight or BMI, if you are a night workers and if you have had any new stressors in your life.
I remember what a terrible time in my life it was when I had Insomnia. I'm so sorry you are going through this. I hope it gets better soon.
Good luck and best wishes.

Answer 3

The sleep problems have been going on for many years with me. About 5 years ago I started with ambien, which works perfectly. The only reason I don't take it now is that it is too expensive and maybe a tad habit-forming. I started taking melatonin three weeks ago and it is just about right. I found that the recommended 3mg did not work, and upped it to 6 mg and it works great. It took awhile to get used to it, compared to ambien -- which drops you like a rock. Relaxation stuff helps, as well as no longer expecting instant sleep.
Give melatonin a decent shot. As far as reasons not to take it? Hey, ambien had me hooked on it. So I would rather not be an addict, and I have never heard of melatonin junkies. Those first weeks without ambien were very rough. Do what you have to do to get to sleep as naturally as possible. Good luck! Sweet dreams!

Answer 4

Hi Art_flood!!

Welcome to the club!!! I suffer from sleeping disorders myself, and it keeps me on edge all the time!!! Feeling so sick and tired!

A co-worker of mine told me about "MELATONIN", and since I do have health problems I went to the pharmacist and asked her. She explain to me that although this are
"NATURAL" meds. it doesn't mean that are save. And that she would NOT recommend it! GOOD advice!!!
LIVE LONGER!

So if you started on 3Mg's. and are now going into 6Mg's.
doesn't that tells you something?

Be careful, try YOGA, or breathing exercises, they help, a little or a lot it depends on how one feels that day!!!

GOD BLESS YOU;
A.Z.

Answer 5

Melatonin is perfectly safe and effective!! Another benift of it is lowered blood preassure as well so if it works for you keep taking it!!!

Answer 6

Homeopathic Treatment for Sleeplessness / Insomnia, due to different reason and with different set of symptoms (No side effects or interaction with conventional drugs) :-


Sleeplessness during menopausal stage Senecio Aur 30X, 4 hourly

Cannot sleep in the early hours of night; utterly wide awake, mind active; sleeplessness due to excitement Coffea Cruda 30X 6, hourly

Cannot sleep after 3 A.M.; sleeplessness due to mental strain or sedentary habits; sleep dreamy and restless Nux Vomica 30X, at bed times for 7 days

Due to fear or panic; insomnia after shock or fright; restlessness and tossing in bed Aconite Nap 30X 4 hourly

Due to tiredness; either physical or mental; bed feels too hard; must keep moving in search of soft portion for relief in bed Arnica Montana 30X or 200X, 1/2 hourly (3 Doses)

Sleeplessness after midnight from anxiety and restlessness; has to get up and walk Belladonna 30X, 4 hourly

Sleepy yet unable to sleep; child tosses, kicks clothes off, twitches; restless sleep with frightful dreams Arsenic Album 30X or 200X, 4 hourly (3 Doses)

Sleeplessness and restlessness; specially in first part of night; gets up and walks on the floor, as soon as the bed time comes patient is wide awake Chamomilla 30X or 200X, 4 hourly

Sleeplessness due to old grief; after dreams of thieves or robbers Natrum Mur 200X or 1M, 10 min (3 Doses)

Sleeplessness due to sudden shock; disappointment Ignatia 200X or 1M, 10 min (3 Doses)

Feels sleepy but cannot sleep; clocks striking at a distance keep him awake; bed feels hot; moves about in vain to find a cool spot in bed Pulsatilla 30X or 200X, 4 hourly

Restlessness during early part of sleep; sound sleep when it is turns to rise; gets too hot in bed; throws off covers, gets chilly and puts them on again; puts arms above the head during sleep Opium 30X or 200X, 4 hourly

Take the remedy which is similar to your symptoms. No side effects or complications if taken as directed, please do not exceed the given dosage and under any circumstances do not try to mix any remedies and avoid Chocolates, Mints, Coffee, Red Meat, Alcoholic and Carbonated drinks, Spicy Rich Food while taking any Homeopathic remedies, and keep the medicines away from direct sunlight, heat strong smells and perfumes and do not store them in the fridge.
Curing without any side effects or Complications Thats the Beauty of Homeopathic Medicine

Take Care and God Bless you.