Posted by Cindy W on May 21, 2000, at 1:43:46
In reply to Re: Long term effects of Melatonin, posted by kazoo on May 20, 2000, at 0:23:20
> > Kazoo, I'm taking a combination of 2 mg sustained release tablets (usually 3) along with 3 mg sublingual tablets (usually about 5). The reason I take 20 mg is that I tried smaller doses, but it didn't help me to sleep. On various websites, I read that 20 mg is safe, so I just titrated it up until I can usually sleep. In the AM, I take Effexor-XR 375 mg/day, and at night, I take 50 mg of Serzone which helps but doesn't quite let me sleep. Will check out the FDA site that Jacquie recommended.--Cindy W
>
> ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
>
> Greetings to Cindy W.
>
> I never said that 20 mgs. of melatonin was unsafe. If this is what you need, then so be it.
> I just find 20 mgs. to be a bit excessive in view of the fact that 3 to 6 mgs. usually does
> it for most people.
>
> Also, are you sure that you're giving the melatonin enough time to work? The first week I
> tried this chemical, it didn't work *as expected*, and this is where I think the
> problem arises. Most people think this natural substance will work as a drug; i.e., make
> you feel drowsy thereby *inducing* sleep; however, it doesn't do that. *You* have got to
> help it along by *wanting* to sleep. In other words, don't expect melatonin to make you
> want to sleep any faster because it won't; what it *will* do is work with your body's
> natural tendency (for the lack of a better word) to sleep, but only when you want to.
>
> If this doesn't make any sense, let me know. I'm a bit frazzled tonight.
>
> Also, someone mentioned that you might be better off with a mild, generic benzo, and I
> agree with this.
>
> Happy snoring ... I remain, a frazzled,
>
> kazoo
Kazoo, thanks for the post! Last night, for the first time, I was able to sleep with only 6 mg of melatonin. I took just the sublingual type, and not the sustained release type, and slept great! Of course, I was exhausted from not sleeping right all week, so that helped. But I'm trying to find the minimum amount of melatonin that will let me sleep enough without going crazy. I'm trying to stay away from benzos and similar medications because they are addictive. Recently, prior to a breast needle biopsy, I took 3 mg of Ativan, and really enjoyed the anxiolytic effect. SO I know I should avoid such things. I need to feel the anxiety so I can work through things (I have OCD as well as depression, and if I just medicate away the anxiety, I won't change). What do you do to help you sleep, since you mentioned you are frazzled? -- Cindy W
poster:Cindy W
thread:33850
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20000517/msgs/34184.html