Clusterheadaches.com Message Board


    
      
        Clusterheadaches.com Message Board
        (http://www.clusterheadaches.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi)
      

        New Message Board Archives >> 2003 Posts >> Any info on Melatonin to help sleep?
        
(Message started by: Randn918 on Apr 15^th, 2003, 8:40pm)

Title: Any info on Melatonin to help sleep?
Post by Randn918 on Apr 15^th, 2003, 8:40pm

Man, normally I get hit in the daytime, but this cycle, I'm up all night. I get hit every time I dose off. Is melatonin usefull? Is there anything that might help me get throught the night. I'm on that O2 bottle all night it seems. Also, pain not so much in my head this time as in my Jaw.

Title: Re: Any info on Melatonin to help sleep?
Post by don on Apr 15^th, 2003, 10:27pm

Dramamine

Title: Re: Any info on Melatonin to help sleep?
Post by Mark C on Apr 16^th, 2003, 8:42am

Welcome Randn,
I agree with Don (as usual). Dramamine is a good OTC med to deal with insomnia, something that seems to go hand in hand with CH. That hypothalamus (http://www.clusterheadaches.org/library/hypothalamus/index.htm) thing I guess.

I have used Melatonin with some success in the past. I will also use Ambien sometimes. Another OTC sleep aid I have recently been using is Doxylamine Succinate (http://home.intekom.com/pharm/sad-otc/somnil.html) which I get at Kroger's under the title "Sleep Aid Tablets". They work pretty good, at least for me. Sleep is hard to find, good luck.

PFDAN's
Mark

Title: Re: Any info on Melatonin to help sleep?
Post by Bob P on Apr 16^th, 2003, 8:51am

Here is Doug Wright's presentation from the Vancouver convention:
http://www.clusterheadaches.org/conventions/2002/wright.pdf

You could also visit the OUCH Research Library/Medications and read some about it.

Title: Re: Any info on Melatonin to help sleep?
Post by Bob_Johnson on Apr 16^th, 2003, 9:49am

Rather good controlled study was reported at medscape.com a couple of years ago. It reported that using--every night one-hour before bed-- 0.3mg of melatonin was better than larger or smaller doses.

Problem is that I've never seen pills sold in less than 1mg size, although liquid form is available.

I just use a pill cutter.

My doc, who has a large geriatric patient practice, was interested because regular use would not create any toxicity problems. I'm 67 and have found regular use to really help my sleep but without any residual effects.

Title: Re: Any info on Melatonin to help sleep?
Post by catlind on Apr 16^th, 2003, 10:29am

on 04/16/03 at 09:49:13, Bob_Johnson wrote:

My doc, who has a large geriatric patient practice, was interested because regular use would not create any toxicity problems. I'm 67 and have found regular use to really help my sleep but without any residual effects.

Sheesh, since when did 67 become geriatric? LOL The older I get the older the age of 'geriatric' becomes ;)

It's not until at least 80 now LOL

I've had good luck with doxylamine succinate as well mark. Better than the dramamine for me because the dramamine causes leg twitches. But when all else fails, the dramamine does at least help.

Cat

Title: Re: Any info on Melatonin to help sleep?
Post by ShariRae on Apr 16^th, 2003, 8:26pm

I hafta agree with Don here.. Dramamine... lets ya sleep and no nighttime dance...is a lifesaver for me..
Shari

Title: Re: Any info on Melatonin to help sleep?
Post by cluster0557 on Apr 16^th, 2003, 11:45pm

I have not tried Don's suggestion for dramamine but have been on Melatonin for about three weeks now.

It has been the best $7.00 I spent. I never had problem getting to sleep had problem sleeping well.

My doc had me do sleep study and put me on CPAP (for sleep apnea) which gave me back REM cycle Cluster. I had gotten rid of going on A sleep aid before CPAP machine entered my life. Got off damn CPAP quickly.

Another Neuro reccomended I try Melatonin to ease me into rem so I slept soundly and for the first time in 5 years I actually am sleeping soundly and dream again. The Melatonin dose is 9mg SR at bedtime. No damn CPAP mask and no REM Cluster. Still use sleep aid that is prescribed when I have had real stress filled or Cluster filled day.

Title: Re: Any info on Melatonin to help sleep?
Post by Randn918 on Apr 17^th, 2003, 1:15am

Thanks for all the answers guys. So if I understand you corectly, the melatonin and dramamine will actually help stop the clusters at night so I can sleep. It's not that I'm not sleepy, just keep getting Zapped with a HA every 40 mins after I doze off. I have'nt slept more than 3 hrs/night in 2 weeks. Dr. gave me stadol but I have'nt taken it yet.

Title: Re: Any info on Melatonin to help sleep?
Post by cluster0557 on Apr 17^th, 2003, 1:22am

Melatonin worked for me. Hope it works for you. If Melatonin does not work Dramamine maybe a better ticket because you probably will miss rem sleep cycle.

If you miss REM Cycle the clusters that are waking you might not fire. They typically fire in rem cycles.

Long and short of it try the Dramamine first.

Title: Re: Any info on Melatonin to help sleep?
Post by CJohnson on Apr 17^th, 2003, 6:48am

Hey, Randn918. Throw your Stadol in the trash. Do it now.
Seriously, though, be careful with that stuff. My experience with that junk was definately negative. I have seen posts from others here condemning it, as well. If the Stadol helps... well what can you do? But definately be careful.
-Curtis

Title: Re: Any info on Melatonin to help sleep?
Post by Randn918 on Apr 17^th, 2003, 5:27pm

Whats wrong with the stadol? What do you mean by Dangerous?

Title: Re: Any info on Melatonin to help sleep?
Post by jonny on Apr 17^th, 2003, 5:54pm

on 04/17/03 at 17:27:47, Randn918 wrote:

Whats wrong with the stadol? What do you mean by Dangerous?

I have never takin it but I have been here 3 1/2 years and everyone says its bad news.......stick around, someone that has takin it will answer your question.

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

Title: Re: Any info on Melatonin to help sleep?
Post by cluster0557 on Apr 17^th, 2003, 6:38pm

on 04/17/03 at 17:27:47, Randn918 wrote:

Whats wrong with the stadol? What do you mean by Dangerous?

I have taken it. Hated it
Other than making my heart race and my head pound and bring back memories of the 70's and psychedelic effects all is with with Stadol.

It also raised my BP a bunch.

ZHead hurst worst when it got out of system. So all the fun it brought just did not make it for me.

My wife also complains about the same thing when she took it.

Title: Re: Any info on Melatonin to help sleep?
Post by Mark C on Apr 17^th, 2003, 7:37pm

RE: Stadol (http://www.nursing.uiowa.edu/sites/adultpain/MixedAge/stadolnt.htm),

Took enough to make my eyes cross, bump into walls and talk to people who wernt there....and it did nothing for my CH....other than that its a fine medicine! ;D

PFDAN's
Mark

Title: Re: Any info on Melatonin to help sleep?
Post by catlind on Apr 17^th, 2003, 8:01pm

Damn what am I doing wrong with stadol then? No fun for me, not even psychadelic. Just makes me REALLY REALLY bitchy (worse than normal - as in look at me sideways and I'll take your head off) and EXTREMELY sick. Can you say yakkin in the big white phone? I'd rather deal with a CH without pukin! It takes the edge off a CH, but doesn't abort. Not a fun med in my book.

Cat
(Echo has some great tips for use though, it helps cut the drug a bit)