weird melatonin recommendation from doctor

[brutus b]

Quick facts: currently no drug problem for me (only a minor one in the past), very little substance use( ~5 alcoholic drinks a week, and 1 or 2 cups of coffee in morning).

Went to the doctor today and, spurred by family and girlfriend, discussed my sleeping problem with him. My dad has a similar problem and his doctor told him to sleep with earplugs, use the bedroom ONLY for sleeping, and take 3-6 mg of Melatonin at night. I have been doing all of those things for about 6 months (hasn't worked for my dad or me) and told my doctor so. He acted surprised that my dad's doctor recommended such a "low dose" and recommended that I try 25mg of Melatonin twice a day and if it didn't work after 2 weeks we would discuss other options.

Now I've seen all sorts of discussion on Melatonin dosage but I have NEVER seen a recommendation like that. Is it possible he was thinking of something else, or is that really the current medical consensus on Melatonin? I'd like to hear from others before I actually follow his suggestion

 

[Violenza666]

Find another dr. He is right about a few thing. Use the bedroom only for sleep, so you associate the room with sleep and sleep alone. Also find another dr to go to. Unless you are on a fuckton of other meds, he could easily script you something to help you.

My shrink suggested melatonin to me due to the vast amount of benzos and opiates I am on.. and soma.. But that's me. You shouldn't have to suffer. I wish you the best of luck I know insomnia is a bitch!

 

[brutus b]

The only other prescription I have is for my seasonal allergies (Allegra D), so I don't think he would see any issues there. I'm not mad at him for not prescribing me anything (really I went in hoping for some "tips" or "strategies", I don't know, just would prefer not using drugs every day if I could). That being said, I really would welcome anything that would allow me to actually fall asleep, stay asleep, and feel like I slept when I woke up.

I was just surprised that he recommended 50 mg a day because I've seen many people claim that 3 mg of a day is overkill and you only need less than 1 mg. I don't believe melatonin is dangerous, but it's just a much higher dose than I've ever heard and I was wondering if others have experience with that.

Thanks for the warm wishes

 

[drmindbender]

Never heard of that high of a dosage and wouldnt take it if I were you. I take 3mg or 6mg at bedtime as well depending on my work schedule. Get a second opinion.

 

[ferinox]

That doctor doesn't know what hes talking about. Twice a day, you would be sleepy all the time. Your testosterone would also drop like a rock. He had to be mixing it up with something else.

 

[ro4eva]

Doesn't taking too much melatonin supplements cause your body to stop producing its own melatonin? Swear I remember reading that somewhere.

I used to take it and one time I took 24mg (my highest dose ever) and I felt a little sedated that's all.

Anyways, if you're having chronic sleep problems, chances are melatonin won't cut it.

You're probably gonna have to start taking a z-drug, or a benzo or a neuroleptic depending on what your doctor thinks is best for you. If he's aware that you have a history of drug abuse (just as an example) he's probably gonna Rx you Seroquel or Trazodone.

 

[Messer]

My doc in fl gave me 25mg capsules of Melatonin...I'm pretty sure it's safe...but it never helped me go to sleep either.

 

[hydroazuanacaine]

if you have chronic sleep problems, a real gabaergic tranquilizer will just be another thorn in your side. you going to take it every night? having to increase you dose regularly? it's only going to knock you out, not cure your insomnia for good. you'll just end up with insomnia and a physical dependence on tranqs. plus, after using them for sleep for an extended period of time, imagine what it will be like trying to ever sleep without them.

dont know anything about melatonin doses though.

 

[love2party]

Have you tried doxylamine or dephenhydramine? They are both otc sleep aids.

 

[brutus b]

if you have chronic sleep problems, a real gabaergic tranquilizer will just be another thorn in your side. you going to take it every night? having to increase you dose regularly? it's only going to knock you out, not cure your insomnia for good. you'll just end up with insomnia and a physical dependence on tranqs. plus, after using them for sleep for an extended period of time, imagine what it will be like trying to ever sleep without them.

dont know anything about melatonin doses though.

Oh, I'm really not looking for something along these lines. Trust me, I researched all about benzos, zdrugs, hypnotics, and tricyclicantidepressants. Like I said earlier, I really would prefer not to go the pharm route; I was asking him for "tips" (honestly, don't know what I was expecting though).

I guess tonight I'll up the dose from 3mg to 24mg (I only have 3mg pills) and let you know how it goes.

I know this will derail the thread a bit but does anyone have any suggestions? I've tried all of the OTC and dietary supplements that people recommend for sleep, practice good sleep hygiene, and go to bed with ear plugs.

 

[jdunk]

Oh, I'm really not looking for something along these lines. Trust me, I researched all about benzos, zdrugs, hypnotics, and tricyclicantidepressants. Like I said earlier, I really would prefer not to go the pharm route; I was asking him for "tips" (honestly, don't know what I was expecting though).

I guess tonight I'll up the dose from 3mg to 24mg (I only have 3mg pills) and let you know how it goes.

I know this will derail the thread a bit but does anyone have any suggestions? I've tried all of the OTC and dietary supplements that people recommend for sleep, practice good sleep hygiene, and go to bed with ear plugs.

I would only try 6-9 mg (or even 15mg, but not jump to 25mg) of melatonin at night only for the first time. Have you ever tried 25-50mg of diphenhydramine? (Benadryl)? That may work, but tolerance builds rapidly.

No stimulation like computer screen lights or TV one hour prior to bed time. Get a ritual that doesn't include that.

If you've tried all that, it's time for a sleep study and / or a consult with a sleep specialist. Many of them are neurologists but specialize.

Have you tried magnesium (glycinate, etc. but NOT oxide)?

 

[ro4eva]

Oh, I'm really not looking for something along these lines. Trust me, I researched all about benzos, zdrugs, hypnotics, and tricyclicantidepressants. Like I said earlier, I really would prefer not to go the pharm route; I was asking him for "tips" (honestly, don't know what I was expecting though).

I guess tonight I'll up the dose from 3mg to 24mg (I only have 3mg pills) and let you know how it goes.

I know this will derail the thread a bit but does anyone have any suggestions? I've tried all of the OTC and dietary supplements that people recommend for sleep, practice good sleep hygiene, and go to bed with ear plugs.

Have you tried any of the following supplements:

- Kava kava
- Valerian
- 5-HTP
- Chamomile
- GABA
- Vitamin B complex
- Quercetin

 

[capRx]

My dad has a similar problem and his doctor told him to sleep with earplugs, use the bedroom ONLY for sleeping, and take 3-6 mg of Melatonin at night.

To clarify, you should use the bedroom for sleep AND for being intimate ..ha

and it was always my belief that people who took melatonin only needed like a 0.5mg dose and anything more was just excess. I would assume that once you start to exceed your normal physiological levels, that your going to max out the response at some point.. And im guessing that dose for a maximum response would be seen closer to 3mg, rather than 25mg...idk though, just guessing.

'Doses of melatonin 5 mg produce estimated peak blood levels 25 times above physiological levels, but do not alter endogenous melatonin production.'

taken from http://www.drugs.com/npp/melatonin.html

 

[Tommyboy]

I know this will derail the thread a bit but does anyone have any suggestions? I've tried all of the OTC and dietary supplements that people recommend for sleep, practice good sleep hygiene, and go to bed with ear plugs.

I spoke to a therapist about this. She didn't specialize in the area, but she had a sleep problem of her own so she told me what her doctor told her.

If you don't fall asleep in bed, get up and do something instead of just tossing and turning. Reading a book is good for getting you sleepy.

A ritual such as having a warm drink such as tea, or taking a warm shower at night may help you fall asleep.

The other poster mentioned that computer light is stimulating, the therapist said that too, but tv light is not as bad.

Exercise.

What has worked for me is the hot shower or cup of tea.

 

[brutus b]

I exercise 4 times a week, I do not keep a computer or television in my bedroom, and have tried every OTC/herbal supplement you listed (except GABA and Quercetin) and I have also tried phenibut. Tolerance to benadryl rose too quickly (plus it seemed to make me even more restless and had a pretty bad feeling the next day).

This is going to sound weird, but the best sleep regime I've ever had was the result of taking 20mg of dexedrine when I first woke up. Really didn't change my day too much (sure I was more productive I guess) but when I laid in bed at night I would actually sleep. I took it once in the morning, 3 times a week and slept like a normal person.

Think I should tell my doctor that when I call him in 2 weeks? The general consensus on bluelight seems to be NOT to inform your doctor that you have illegally consumed another's prescription.

 

[ro4eva]

I exercise 4 times a week, I do not keep a computer or television in my bedroom, and have tried every OTC/herbal supplement you listed (except GABA and Quercetin) and I have also tried phenibut. Tolerance to benadryl rose too quickly (plus it seemed to make me even more restless and had a pretty bad feeling the next day).

This is going to sound weird, but the best sleep regime I've ever had was the result of taking 20mg of dexedrine when I first woke up. Really didn't change my day too much (sure I was more productive I guess) but when I laid in bed at night I would actually sleep. I took it once in the morning, 3 times a week and slept like a normal person.

Think I should tell my doctor that when I call him in 2 weeks? The general consensus on bluelight seems to be NOT to inform your doctor that you have illegally consumed another's prescription.

Do not say anything to him about illegally consuming another person's prescription.

Do not say anything about yourself that has to do with drug abuse.

He will label you a junkie and you'll never see a controlled drug prescription from him for you.

 

[mgrady3]

melatonin is active orally in the microgram scale dosage wise. some doses can be 300 mcg. More commonly is 1-3mg. I have seen some crap marketed as extra strength melatonin 10mg pills.

thats bollix, melatonin isn't a sedative or a hypnotic. there's no "extra strength" usually less is more with melatonin. If 3-10mg doesn't work for you, then melatonin just doesn't work for you. taking 25mg of it a night is just overkill. You get no more response from the drug from taking 25mg than you do if you take 5 mg.

the drug affects your circadian rhythm, making your body think its time to get ready for bed. But that doesn't mean it makes you fall asleep. If you have sleeping problems like insomnia, melatonin can help but it may not help. If you are taking 6 mg a night and still having trouble, then seek a different Dr. and talk to him/her in detail about your problem. 25mg melatonin is not the answer.

 

[tastethealex]

melatonin worked for about a week, then my tolerance to it was too high. My best sleep aid I have found without going to the prescription level is: 150mg Valerian root + 200mg Sullcap + 50mg Jamaican Dogwood. This is also a good remedy for anxiety.

 

[brutus b]

Just in case anyone else has a similar question and is searching for an answer:

The high doses of melatonin have not helped me sleep at all and I honestly feel that they made me even more restless. Guess I'll be giving my doctor a call in a few weeks to discuss options. Really hoping not to delve into such serious medicines at the age of 20.