Clusterheadaches.com Message Board


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

        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies >> Melatonin; how long can I take it?
        
(Message started by: NovellRed on Jan 9^th, 2007, 10:31pm)

Title: Melatonin; how long can I take it?
Post by NovellRed on Jan 9^th, 2007, 10:31pm

I have been using Melatonin @ a 6 mg level for several months now, and have been very pleased with the results. I thought I was out of the cycle a couple of weeks ago and stopped taking it. The beast woke me up, so I went back on it.
Is there any problem with taking Melatonin for extended periods of time? What is the longest time you have taken Melatonin on a nightly basis?

Title: Re: Melatonin; how long can I take it?
Post by chewy on Jan 10^th, 2007, 7:02am

I use it in and out of cycle. Take a break for about a month to avoid tolerance.

Title: Re: Melatonin; how long can I take it?
Post by floridian on Jan 10^th, 2007, 8:27am

No clear answer to that - for long term use in episodics (not in cycle), I would think small (1 mg / night or less).

Title: Re: Melatonin; how long can I take it?
Post by birdman on Jan 10^th, 2007, 11:20am

The bottle I have says to take for two months and then take a week off. Never been able to find a conclusive answer to this question. I too have had concerns over tolerance. I guess it is not a bad idea to take a week or so off every couple of months.

Title: Re: Melatonin; how long can I take it?
Post by georgej on Jan 10^th, 2007, 8:00pm

I've taken it up to six months at a time--9 mg in cycle, then 3 mg for a few months after the cycle ends. It seems to significantly reduce the number of nighttime hits that I get.

I don't trust the "end" of a cycle all that much. I still feel some aftereffects from a cycle for a while, even if they never morph into full-blown H/A's--sleep disruption, teensy shadows that never go anywhere, the ganglion lump on the back of my neck that is still tender and painful for a while, etc.

Could be it's just paranoia, though. Forty years of this, and cycles still make me susceptible to magical thinking --there's still the little niggling voice at the back of my mind that says, "well, maybe if you do this, or don't do this, or whatever, it'll go away/never come back". Bullshit, of course.

After three or four months, I forget to take the melatonin for a couple of days, and then I quit using it until the next cycle. Nothing bad seems to happen.

Best,

George

Title: Re: Melatonin; how long can I take it?
Post by NovellRed on Jan 12^th, 2007, 10:43am

Thanks for the input. From your experiences it seems as if I don't have anything to worry about if I continue to take it for a while.
The Beast woke me up again last night so I will continue on the Melatonin for a bit longer.

Title: Re: Melatonin; how long can I take it?
Post by BMoneeTheMoneeMan on Jan 13^th, 2007, 11:01pm

I take melatonin just about every night. I only take 4.5mg per night when not in cycle, but i am definately dependant on it. If I forget to take my pills, i dont even get sleepy, it takes forever to fall asleep and I sleep like crap.

Title: Re: Melatonin; how long can I take it?
Post by Ob1kanobee on Jan 24^th, 2007, 11:50pm

I have a question. I purchased "sustained release" Melatonin. Is that the correct kind to take for sleep? Each pill is 3mg.

Title: Re: Melatonin; how long can I take it?
Post by starlight on Jan 25^th, 2007, 9:51am

I am episodic with very frequent nighttime hits when in cycle. I am now out of cycle and will take 6 mg melatonin forever.
If you want to try to get off of it, wait until 2 weeks after you have had any head pain, any twinges, anything at all, then gradually wean down.
I myself weaned down from a much higher level of melatonin but I can't get below 6 mg without having problems. Also, I have no ill effects from taking 6 mg so I will stay on it forever. You can try to wean down--but simply wait until 2 solid weeks after you have experienced any head pain--then you know the beast has gone and can wean down off the melatonin.

Title: Re: Melatonin; how long can I take it?
Post by NovellRed on Jan 25^th, 2007, 10:08am

on 01/24/07 at 23:50:39, Ob1kanobee wrote:

I have a question. I purchased "sustained release" Melatonin. Is that the correct kind to take for sleep? Each pill is 3mg.

I don't know if there is a right kind for sleep or not. I do not use the sustained release variety and it works well for me. The good thing about melatonin is that it is cheap enough you can try both sustained release and non-sustained release and then continue using the one that gives you the best results. They may both work equally well for you.
Good luck!

Title: Re: Melatonin; how long can I take it?
Post by starlight on Jan 25^th, 2007, 2:45pm

I do not use sustained release, personally I need kind of a big dose BEFORE sleep. But some people here do use sustained release or half-normal, half-sustained. Try those 3 different ways and see what works best for you if you want.

Title: Re: Melatonin; how long can I take it?
Post by mcf69 on Jan 25^th, 2007, 4:24pm

I've used both the 3mg regular, and 3 mcg extended release before, sometimes both when I'm in cycle. The longest continuous period I've taken it for is three months when in cycle, but I rarely use it out of cycle unless I've had a couple restless nights and want to get a full eight hours. Hope this helps.

Title: Re: Melatonin; how long can I take it?
Post by thomas on Jan 25^th, 2007, 4:28pm

on 01/24/07 at 23:50:39, Ob1kanobee wrote:

I have a question. I purchased "sustained release" Melatonin. Is that the correct kind to take for sleep? Each pill is 3mg.

I use both at the same time, but for the last year I have been using a product called "super snooze"

Super Snooze with Melatonin - Vitamin World

Quote:

This natural nighttime sleep aid contains valerian root, hops, scullcap, chamomile, passion flower, calcium carbonate, magnesium oxide, phosphorus, inositol, L-taurine and melatonin, in capsule form.

I buy it a vitamin world, they're like GNC only cheaper. I haven't had my cycle yet this year, too much stress probably keeping it away for now, I'd guess, but it really helps me sleep.

Title: Re: Melatonin; how long can I take it?
Post by birdman on Jan 28^th, 2007, 10:58am

I wonder if there are any long term effects of melatonin? I know the research says as we age our body produces less and less. Does that imply that when we are older and have been using melatonin for many years that it may not be as effective? I know research shows that it is not habit forming but I think there can be a mental dependency. Anyone know of any detailed research?

Title: Re: Melatonin; how long can I take it?
Post by thomas on Jan 29^th, 2007, 10:35am

That's why older people get up earlier in the morning. I think the older we get the more we should consider using melatonin. I don't think there are any adverse affects of using it, I've been using it for about 4 years now, and I am still "normal". ;;D

Title: Re: Melatonin; how long can I take it?
Post by birdman on Jan 29^th, 2007, 11:13am

In those four years did you take any breaks? If so, how did you sleep?

Title: Re: Melatonin; how long can I take it?
Post by thomas on Jan 29^th, 2007, 11:43am

on 01/29/07 at 11:13:08, birdman wrote:

In those four years did you take any breaks? If so, how did you sleep?

Yes I have taken breaks, except for the last 2 years. I don't sleep very well without it, but I've never slept very good since I've been having CH. So it helps with the Ch and sleeping, it's now a permanent thing for me.

Title: Re: Melatonin; how long can I take it?
Post by birdman on Jan 30^th, 2007, 8:20am

Any problems with mood changes? Some research says it can cause mild depression. I'm prone to panic attacks and am concerned about effects. Thanks

Title: Re: Melatonin; how long can I take it?
Post by thomas on Jan 30^th, 2007, 9:02am

on 01/30/07 at 08:20:57, birdman wrote:

Any problems with mood changes? Some research says it can cause mild depression. I'm prone to panic attacks and am concerned about effects. Thanks

I'm no more depressed on this stuff than I am normally. As far as panic attacks go, never had one.

Title: Re: Melatonin; how long can I take it?
Post by lionsound on Jan 30^th, 2007, 11:04am

on 01/30/07 at 08:20:57, birdman wrote:

Any problems with mood changes? Some research says it can cause mild depression. I'm prone to panic attacks and am concerned about effects. Thanks

I'm prone to depression, panic attacks, and I took it for a whiile without a problem. It has been known to cause depression for some so it's good that you are paying attention.