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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies >> What else besides melatonin?
        
(Message started by: kayarr on Apr 1^st, 2007, 1:09pm)

Title: What else besides melatonin?
Post by kayarr on Apr 1^st, 2007, 1:09pm

This is an update and a question:
My darling has been taking melatonin now for quite a few months. He stopped for a while after getting dizzy and made an appointment with his cardiologist to make sure that his heart was fine and started taking it again.

He has apparently had more nights without being waken up with a headache then previous to the melatonin usage. He even got a nine day reprieve entirely. (that has never happened)

After an all night "Spring" non-sleeping event I mentioned that a lot of you Melatonin fans use other things with the Melatonin and some have stopped having the night time headaches. He doesn't want to be on a string of medication.

He is a lovely, brilliant, head strong man (who I Love very much:) Fortunately with your information he considers me an ally and doesn't feel as alone as he once did without someone who felt the need to find out about these things.

He is using O2 and Melatonin now. I mentioned the antihistamines. (that is when the string of medications comment came up) Anyone have a good strong debate on the use of something else to help him get good sleep?

Thanks much!
Kimberly

Title: Re: What else besides melatonin?
Post by Redd on Apr 1^st, 2007, 1:38pm

Kim,

I never had much luck with melatonin alone. However, on a fluke one night, I took some Tylenol PM's for a sore back along with the melatonin one night.

No wake-me-ups.

Next night, I did the same thing as my back was still sore.

Again...no wake-me-ups.

It was the next evening that the lightbulb went on. Benadryl......

Tylenol PM contains the active ingredient in Benedryl, and many people had said that it helped them get a little more sleep at night.

I continued to take the combination, and although I'd still get hit in daylight hours I was sleeping threw the night more often than not. A bit groggy...but strong java took care of that.

If it could help him sleep through the night beast free...I wouldn't consider the combination as a "string" of meds.

Title: Re: What else besides melatonin?
Post by kayarr on Apr 1^st, 2007, 1:50pm

Thank you for the reply.

I wouldn't consider it "string" either. (had to let you know the thought process I am up against when getting him to try some new way to combat the pain:)

I'm mentioning the tylenol pm right now.

Bless you!

Kimberly

Title: Re: What else besides melatonin?
Post by Redd on Apr 1^st, 2007, 2:29pm

Generic benadryl would do the same thing I would suspect leaving the tylenol out of the equation. I simply noted it here because that is what I used.

But taking them together is what helped me...not seperately, and as we know tylenol is as useless against this beast as fried eggs.

Title: Re: What else besides melatonin?
Post by Brewcrew on Apr 1^st, 2007, 5:06pm

Waldryl - the Walgreen's generic equivalent of Benadryl - works wonders for me. Sometimes I have to take 50mg at bedtime while in cycle, but usually 25mg will do the trick. And you can buy like a million of 'em for about $10.

Title: Re: What else besides melatonin?
Post by BMoneeTheMoneeMan on Apr 1^st, 2007, 7:56pm

Hi Doll,
The active ingredient in Benadryl and Tylonol PM is Diphenhydramine. I take 50MG each nite along with the melatonin. I like it, it is a drowsy med....its supposed to make you sleep. This along with the melatonin works pretty well for me, and i also get really good sleep on these meds.
Taken with an empty stomach, no groggy feeling in the morning and its easy to get up.

Title: Re: What else besides melatonin?
Post by starlight on Apr 1^st, 2007, 10:45pm

Yes, I used melatonin and benadryl, especially if someone is around peak of their cycle, throw in some benadryl.

Title: Re: What else besides melatonin?
Post by Phil L on Apr 4^th, 2007, 8:34pm

Ambien CR works wonders for me. Plenty of restorative sleep and no three am wake up calls. Great stuff!

Title: Re: What else besides melatonin?
Post by marlinsfan on Apr 5^th, 2007, 11:59am

on 04/01/07 at 13:09:18, kayarr wrote:

He is using O2 and Melatonin now.

That's exactly how I battle my cycles. But I've had very good results taking about 50 drops (one full dropper) of Valerian Root extract to get thru the night. You drop them in a glass of water, and drink it about 30 minuts before you go to sleep. You can find it in Whole Foods types of stores or vitamin stores. I used to take that when I lived in the 3rd world and did not know about melatonin. It's all natural, so should be safe.

Title: Re: What else besides melatonin?
Post by seasonalboomer on Apr 5^th, 2007, 12:25pm

on 04/05/07 at 11:59:39, marlinsfan wrote:

It's all natural, so should be safe.

:-/