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        New Message Board Archives >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies 2004 >> Melatonin Decreases Migraine Frequency & Intensity
        
(Message started by: ex_pat_asia on Sep 25^th, 2004, 5:58am)

Title: Melatonin Decreases Migraine Frequency & Intensity
Post by ex_pat_asia on Sep 25^th, 2004, 5:58am

Melatonin Decreases Migraine Frequency and Intensity
(Sorry, the article uses the "M" word but contains some interesting comments)

Sept. 9, 2004 — In chronic migraine sufferers, melatonin decreases headache frequency and intensity and reduces triptan consumption, according to the results of an open-label trial published in the Aug. 24 issue of Neurology.

"There is increasing evidence that melatonin secretion and pineal function are related to headache disorders," write M. F. P. Peres, MD PhD, from the Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein in São Paulo, Brazil, and colleagues. "Altered melatonin levels have been found in cluster headache, migraine with and without aura, menstrual migraine, and chronic migraine."

Of 40 patients with episodic migraine with or without aura meeting International Headache Society (IHS) diagnostic criteria who were screened during the baseline period, three patients did not have headaches during the baseline period, and three patients were lost to follow-up evaluation. Patients with chronic daily headache, insomnia, or considerable sleep hygiene problems were excluded, as were patients receiving preventive therapy three months before recruitment for the trial. Study participants averaged between two and eight migraine headaches per month.

Of 34 patients (29 women, five men) who started prophylactic treatment with melatonin (3 mg, 30 minutes before bedtime) 32 patients completed the four-month study, consisting of a one-month baseline period and a three-month therapy phase. During the study, participants completed a study diary, and they continued to take triptans, ergots, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and analgesics as needed.

Of 32 patients who completed the study, 25 patients (78.1%) had at least a 50% reduction in headache frequency from baseline, eight patients (25%) had no headaches, and none of the patients had increased headaches after three months of therapy. Reduction in frequency was greater than 75% in seven patients (21.8%), and 50% to 75% in 10 patients (31.3%).

Melatonin decreased mean headache frequency per month from 7.6 ± 3.2 at baseline to 4.4 ± 2.5 headaches at month one, and to 3.0 ± 3.1 headaches at month three (P < .001). On a 0-to-10 scale, mean headache intensity decreased from 7.4 ± 1.3 at baseline to 5.5 ± 1.9 at month one, and to 3.6 ± 2.7 at month three (P < .001). Mean headache duration in hours decreased from 19.8 ± 19.8 at baseline, to 10.2 ± 13.4 at month one, and to 8.8 ± 12.4 at month three (P < .001).

Patients reported significant clinical improvement by month one. Other benefits were decreases in overall analgesic and triptan consumption (P < .001) and in menstrually associated migraine. Three patients spontaneously reported increase in libido. Of two patients who withdrew from the study, one had excessive sleepiness and the other had alopecia. There were no significant changes in body weight.

"This is the first study to assess melatonin efficacy in migraine prevention," the authors write. "In our small series of migraine patients, melatonin was effective in reducing the number of headache days per month. A controlled study may be worthwhile."

Neurology. 2004;63:757

Reviewed by Gary D. Vogin, MD

Title: Re: Melatonin Decreases Migraine Frequency & I
Post by toolong on Sep 26^th, 2004, 12:48pm

I started Melatonin in March.Tried 3X3mg.each night for a month with some sucess.But after that first month it seemed to lose some of the punch.I increased dosage to 4X3mg.And it helped for a little while,but again it seems to fade.How much can I take without adverse side effects?I use it along with O2 at bedtime.(15 ltrs.15 min)But after 4 hours of sleep I awaken with a CH.Been chronic for 5 years,and tired of spending $ on witch doctors,that want to drug me out with high power crap that does nothing.New to this site but learned more here than all the years with these midwest doctors. [smiley=huh.gif]

Title: Re: Melatonin Decreases Migraine Frequency & I
Post by Jonny on Sep 26^th, 2004, 12:56pm

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b3cf37b3127cce8265f40434260000001610

Title: Re: Melatonin Decreases Migraine Frequency & I
Post by JJA on Sep 27^th, 2004, 1:54pm

Toolong,

There is little research around melatonin so no one can say how much you can take safely. When I started using melatonin (about 2.5 yrs ago) I could find no reports of any side effects. Melatonin is an anti-oxidant and has been shown to cause mice to live longer (sorry forgot where I read this). Human research is lacking, but it is generally thought to be very safe.

-Jesse