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New Message Board Archives >> 2002 Posts >> Overdue Melatonin update ...
(Message started by: Dave_Emond on Oct 31st, 2002, 1:30pm)

Title: Overdue Melatonin update ...
Post by Dave_Emond on Oct 31st, 2002, 1:30pm
Hi Gang,
Okay, I'm behind on my updates on just how this new Melatonin experiment has been coming along.
I'll try to give a brief background on this for those who may be new to the board.
I'm a chronic CH sufferer, have run the gamut of meds, with no success with any. I've been coping with this med free for quite some time now. At the Vancouver OUCH convention, Dr. Doug Wright gave a presentation on CH sufferers and the relationship between Serotonin and Melatonin. He presented good evidence that CH sufferers were not producing enough Melatonin, explaining the difficulties most of us experience sleeping at night.
With nothing to lose, I was a good canidate to see just what the Melatonin could do on it's own, without the use of other medications.
I've now been on 9Mg of Melatonin a night for about a month and a half now. Has the Melatonin cured my CH? No.
However, I couldn't be much happier with the other aspects of this experiment. For years I averaged 2 to 3 hours sleep a night. I'm now up to 5 to 6 hours sleep, and rarely waken to REM attacks while sleeping.
This has become a major improvement on my ability to cope with CH. Just the added hours of sleep give me much more strength to cope with the daily attacks. I feel safer on the roads, my ability to work is increasing tremdously, and my overall attitude in this battle with the Beast is shifting in my favor as my strength grows.
I haven't seen signs of a cure coming out of this as of yet, but I've felt enough difference to highly recommend this all natural  and no side effect treament. Plus, at about $7.00 a month, I think this is the closest thing to ANY type of help I've ever come across.
Thank you Doug and others who pushed me at trying this when I was skeptical.
Clusters keeping you from sleeping? Give Melatonin a try, it may take a couple weeks before you start noticing significant differences, I for one am glad I stuck with it!
I'll try to answer any questions you may have, Doug could probably answer more than I.
Again, this hasn't proven to be a cure, but actually getting sleep after so long has done wonders for my coping abilities.
Dave

Title: Re: Overdue Melatonin update ...
Post by Margi on Oct 31st, 2002, 1:51pm
Dave, that's great to hear that you're finding some success with the melatonin.  You're so right, just getting more regular sleep makes it so much easier to be strong through the day.  Also important to note is that it does take a while to really kick in to your system.  Mike tried it during his last cycle and experienced a couple of really bad nights, so we gave up on it - obviously too early.  :(
So glad you're finally getting some relief!  Please say hi to Annette for us!

:)

Title: Re: Overdue Melatonin update ...
Post by BonnieW on Oct 31st, 2002, 2:27pm
Dave,

So happy to hear that you are getting some good results from the Melatonin.  I have been thinking about you lately and wondering how you were doing.  Will certainly give it a try with Warren's next cycle.  Not sure how it would work with a shift worker, his melatonin levels must be really screwed up!  Say hello to Annette for us - and can you please send me your mailing address?

Title: Re: Overdue Melatonin update ...
Post by jonny on Oct 31st, 2002, 2:54pm
Finally!!, someone giving the beast an ass kicking :D

Good for you, Dave..........say hi to Annette for me too.

..........................jonny

Title: Re: Overdue Melatonin update ...
Post by Jim R on Oct 31st, 2002, 2:56pm
Good to hear, Dave.  Something is better than nothing.

PFDAN's to you - Jim R

Title: Re: Overdue Melatonin update ...
Post by Linda_Howell on Oct 31st, 2002, 3:08pm
Dave, I have been wondering and thinking of you a lot lately, so thanks for checking in.    I couldn't be happier for you that you're getting some much needed sleep out of this experiment, my friend..Linda Howell

Title: Re: Overdue Melatonin update ...
Post by Karla on Oct 31st, 2002, 4:22pm
I just wanted to mention that I had looked into taking Melatonin.  I grabed a bottle of the shelf and noticed on it that it said not to take if you were taking antidepressents or antiphycotics.  I am taking both.  I looked at a different brand of melatonin on the shelf and it didn't say anything about a warning of not using if on any antidepressent meds.  I talked to my dr and he said not to use it.  So please be carefull when taking Melatonin and other meds.

Title: Re: Overdue Melatonin update ...
Post by David Shea on Nov 2nd, 2002, 6:47pm
Dream filled nights with this product, Very vivid.....
I want to study about and ask questions first,
plenty of  REM  ( is that what they call it? )
rapid eye motion.....



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