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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies >> Can someone tell me about melatonin?
        
(Message started by: brauer100 on Aug 13^th, 2007, 9:22pm)

Title: Can someone tell me about melatonin?
Post by brauer100 on Aug 13^th, 2007, 9:22pm

Hi, I'm new to the website, not to clusters, but since spending time here I've read lots of people talking about taking melatonin. Can you tell me where I get it, what brand is reliable, and how much to take and is it safe to take with my Verapamil and Topamax? Any side effects? Thanks!

Title: Re: Can someone tell me about melatonin?
Post by Rosybabe on Aug 13^th, 2007, 9:28pm

I bought mine at the vitamin shoppe but since my cycle ihas been over for a while (march) I don't have the bottle anymore (for the brand) They sell them at walmart, GNC, etc. I can tell you that I took 9 mg at night to help space out the night hits and help me to sleep. I really did not see any side effects other than a little drowsiness, so that is why I took it only at night. but I did help with my night hits.

Good luck Brauer100!!

Pain free wishes for you!!!

Rosy.

Title: Re: Can someone tell me about melatonin?
Post by Barry_T_Coles on Aug 13^th, 2007, 9:57pm

Hi Brauer
Here's a little about Melatonin.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melatonin

Cheers
Barry

Title: Re: Can someone tell me about melatonin?
Post by Maffumatt on Aug 13^th, 2007, 10:05pm

Its a great help in knocking out some if not all of the wake me up hits. Works for some but not all, just like the rest of the drugs we use.

Title: Re: Can someone tell me about melatonin?
Post by thomas on Aug 14^th, 2007, 10:48am

I've been pf for 20 months taking a supplement called "super snooze" that has 3mg of melatonin in it and a bunch of other good stuff.

Title: Re: Can someone tell me about melatonin?
Post by marlinsfan on Aug 15^th, 2007, 8:21am

I think I remember reading that you should not take melatonin if you're on verap. Keep reading and digging and find out. I don't take verap, so I can't tell for sure.

I take 9 mg 30 minutes before bedtime, and it works great. WIthout it, I would get 4-7 hits per night, starting 30 minutes after I fell asleep. With it, my first hit comes 6-7 hours after I go to sleep, so I just stay up afterwards. I ramp-down at the end of the cycle, going to 6 mg for 3 days, 3 mg for 3 days, then off completely. I buy Sundown brand, in the vitamin section of my Publix Supermarket.

Title: Re: Can someone tell me about melatonin?
Post by thomas on Aug 15^th, 2007, 8:34am

http://www.vitaminworld.com/VF/productimages/VW/010352_lg.jpg

I take one of these EVERY night 1-2 hours before I plan on going to sleep. It's cheap too.

Title: Re: Can someone tell me about melatonin?
Post by Ray on Aug 16^th, 2007, 10:02pm

Curr Pain Headache Rep. 2001 Feb;5(1):83-91.Links
Treatment and management of cluster headache.Dodick DW, Capobianco DJ.
Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, 13400 E Shea Boulevard, Scottsdale, AZ 85259, USA. dodick.david@mayo.edu

Cluster headache is an uncommon yet well-defined neurovascular syndrome occurring in both episodic and chronic varieties. The most striking feature of cluster headache is the unmistakable circadian and circannual periodicity. Inheritance may play a role in some families. The attacks are of extreme intensity, of short duration, occur unilaterally, and are accompanied by signs and symptoms of autonomic dysfunction. In contrast to migraine, during an attack the cluster patient prefers to pace about. Attacks frequently occur at night. Although the pathophysiology of cluster headache remains to be fully elucidated, several seminal observations have recently been made. The medical treatment of cluster headache includes both acute therapy aimed at aborting individual attacks and prophylactic therapy aimed at preventing recurrent attacks during the cluster period. Agents used for acute therapy include inhalation of oxygen, sumatriptan, and dihydroergotamine. Transitional prophylaxis involves the short-term use of either corticosteroids or ergotamine derivatives. The cornerstone of maintenance prophylaxis is verapamil, yet methysergide, lithium, and divalproex sodium may also be employed. In some patients, melatonin or topiramate may be useful adjunctive therapies.

PMID: 11252143 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

I don't have access to the entire article...

With regards,

Ray

Title: Re: Can someone tell me about melatonin?
Post by ahigeorge on Aug 21^st, 2007, 1:09am

I just read on MedlinePlus that Verapamil and valium decrease the melatonin in your body.

Title: Re: Can someone tell me about melatonin?
Post by MJ on Aug 22^nd, 2007, 12:49am

on 08/21/07 at 01:09:15, ahigeorge wrote:

I just read on MedlinePlus that Verapamil and valium decrease the melatonin in your body.

Interesting.
May help to explain why some say it also extends a cycle.

Title: Re: Can someone tell me about melatonin?
Post by Miz_D on Oct 12^th, 2007, 6:59am

I think I am going to try Melatonin...not much to lose. Thanks for posting this info, its been very helpful. I've read that not only can it help with night-time hits but it can also sometimes help with daytime ones. I haven't read anything that says I can't take it with Verap, anyone know different? Also, any recommendations as to whether or not to use time-release tablets verses regular?

Title: Blood PresRe: Can someone tell me about melatonin?
Post by southwalessunshine on Oct 30^th, 2007, 4:21pm

Just found this onwww.umm.edu/altmed/articles/melatonin

Blood Pressure Medications

Melatonin may reduce the effectiveness of blood pressure medications like methoxamine and clonidine. In addition, medications in a class called calcium channel blockers (such as nifedipine, verapamil, diltiazem, amlodipine, nimodipine, felodipine, nisoldipine, and bepridil) may decrease melatonin levels.

Use of Beta-Blockers (another class of high blood pressure medications including propranolol, acebutolol, atenolol, labetolol, metoprolol, pindolol, nadolol, sotalol, and timolol) may reduce melatonin production in the body.

Title: Re: Can someone tell me about melatonin?
Post by annar on Oct 30^th, 2007, 7:34pm

I started taking prednisone two days before taking melatonin. I took 9 mg of melatonin and only had one minor hit that night. That was after having an average of 4-5 hits with the last hit usually being a 8-10 kip and being aborted with an imi shot. So, needless to say, I was very pleased :). I don't know if it was the pred or the melatonin but i can say that it didn't hurt. I am still taking it and all the literature i've read has been positive. I did read a lot!

I would double check on the verapamil mix first though, just from the posts i've read on here.

rrr reg

Title: Re: Can someone tell me about melatonin?
Post by DennisM1045 on Oct 31^st, 2007, 7:40am

I discussed Melatonin supplements and Verapamil with my Neuro last visit. I've been taking both this cycle. He did not indicate any cause for concern beyond the usual caution that you have to be careful with supplements because they are not regulated and you can't be sure of the consistency. You should consult with your own physician to get their opinion.

-Dennis-

Title: Re: Can someone tell me about melatonin?
Post by midwestbeth on Nov 1^st, 2007, 11:16am

Quote:

you have to be careful with supplements because they are not regulated and you can't be sure of the consistency. You should consult with your own physician to get their opinion.

Good advice

Beth