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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Cluster Headache Specific >> Melatonin ?
        
(Message started by: hockeyhead on Nov 5^th, 2007, 10:30pm)

Title: Melatonin ?
Post by hockeyhead on Nov 5^th, 2007, 10:30pm

I just started a cycle, 2 years since the last one. From reading the site, I decided to try Melatonin for the night hits.

I've tried it twice, and both times I had a hit within an hour...almost a similar reaction to having a couple of beers. I'd like to have something other than red bull at night so I can actually sleep. Anyone else have a similar reaction?

Title: Re: Melatonin ?
Post by signdog on Nov 6^th, 2007, 12:35am

Yes, I'm new here & found out about Mela. on this site, got some & had night hits also about 1hr after going to bed. I was wondering if it takes a while to help you/get in your system, or am I just one of the people who it doesn't work for. It sure does put me to sleep, but that has never been a problem with me. What was your doseage? For me 1st night 12mg as per someones post, since, 9mg, same effect on both.

Title: Re: Melatonin ?
Post by Jill on Nov 6^th, 2007, 6:29am

Hi there...

As far as I know, it takes sometime for melatonin to get into your system and to be fully effective. You might want to keep on taking it and hopefully it will help soon.

Also, you can try benadryl for those night hits. It will make you sleepy but some have found that it works. They have it in these handy little strips that melt on your tongue and work faster than the pills. I use them and I also have benadryl shots that sometimes help me sleep. Might give it a try..

Hope that this helps and that you get some sleep soon.

Jill

Title: Re: Melatonin ?
Post by Garys_Girl on Nov 6^th, 2007, 12:06pm

We haven't noticed any melatonin affect on CH, however, it helps hubby fall asleep, which in and of itself has been a problem.

There area few studies out - most with VERY few patients. Seems to be something that may help more if you can tell a cycle's coming that to stop the CH attacks once you're in cycle.

Laurie

Title: Re: Melatonin ?
Post by DennisM1045 on Nov 6^th, 2007, 12:13pm

It took a little over a week for it to take effect for me. I went up slowly too. 3mg for three days, 6mg for the next three and so on till I hit 12mg. Now I bounce between 9mg and 12mg depending on how I did the night before.

I didn't get hit any more severely than I had been after starting it but, like I said, I went in slowly.

-Dennis-

Title: Re: Melatonin ?
Post by hockeyhead on Nov 6^th, 2007, 6:26pm

Thanks for the feedback. I just started with 3mg for 2 nights in a row and stopped after the result. I've been kind of paranoid to try it again.

I might stick just try the benadryl again, which worked pretty well for me in the past. I usually get hit at night just as I'm trying to fall asleep rather that after I'm already asleep. The only time I seem to get the wake up hit is after having some drinks in a failed test to see if my cycle is over.

Title: Re: Melatonin ?
Post by signdog on Nov 6^th, 2007, 10:00pm

I keep an ice bag in a small cooler beside the bed. When I get a wake-up hit I put the ice bag on my temple & that often beats it back if I catch it soon enough.