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melatonin for sleep problems
Wed, 11/28/2007 - 18:05Topic: Complementary Therapies
Has anyone tried taking synthetic melatonin to deal with sleep problems? What have been the experiences with this synthetic hormone? Is it a help or a hindrance?
Comments
Melatonin
Submitted by lisaltstheresa on Mon, 2007-12-03 - 13:37
Started Melatonin about two months ago. I remember dreams now.
The melatonin was helping me sleep better finally. I noticed that when I start wake up in the night again they would be the days that I would have seizures. So I increased it again and back to normal nights so far.
look into the discount sleep safe pillows. That helped me a great deal too
http://www.sleep-safe.co.uk/id90.htm
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/epilepsyapproach1/
Lisa
My wife used 5-HTP which is
Submitted by bernardcwe on Mon, 2007-12-03 - 12:01
My wife used 5-HTP which is a precursor to seratoning (and thus melatonin). It helped her sleep better at the time.
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Check out my chart of alternative epilepsy treatments.
Melatonin
Submitted by kmom on Sun, 2007-12-02 - 11:38
My son Eli is 4. He's seizures are nocturnal in their origination. I started giving him 3mg of melatonin about 2 weeks ago. I used several studies to determine the dosage but the NYU study was my basic start (he's treated there too). It's made an amazing difference in his sleep. He's far more comfortable now than ever before. I decided to try it, as it has no negative side effects for healthy adults. It was kinda like taking a tylenol pm, but not quite as heavy. I've combined it with a tylenol pm and wow. I was knocked out. That was good that night, let me tell you. With a child with nocturnal seizures, you don't sleep much! I took 5mg and I weigh about 108lb and am 43. I gave it to my 7 year old who has ADHD and 3mg was too much. He's now getting 1.5mg. I think you have to play around with the dosage to see what works for you. You can get 1, 3 and 5 mgs pretty easy. Be sure to check the interaction with your type of epilepsy. I think I read that it can increase seizure activity for some types of defined disorders-Lennox-G etc.