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New Message Board Archives >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies 2004 >> Melatonin treatment
(Message started by: PaulL on Dec 15th, 2004, 8:53pm)

Title: Melatonin treatment
Post by PaulL on Dec 15th, 2004, 8:53pm
I just started a new cycle and would like to try melatonin.  My neurologist started me on 25mg of topamax last night to see if I tolerate the stuff(never used it before).  After doing some reading on this site I added 9mg of melatonin.  Any tips on how long to take the melatonin if it works? Should it be tapered the way other drugs are if it's successful?

Title: Re: Melatonin treatment
Post by allan_r on Dec 15th, 2004, 8:59pm
I am on the topomax as well (effective for me at 200 -- it took two months to get up to that -- and about a month to get past the side effects of the drug, give it a chance if it is effective for you).  

I have also used the melatonin-- just take before bedtime.  No tapering required.  just the 9 or 10 mg every night.  Helps with the sleep cycle and can prevent nocturnal HA and/or increase effectiveness of the preventive drug your taking according to some.  

Personally, I haven't found it helpful for the HA, but have found that I am getting a better night's sleep for what its worth.

allan r.

Title: Re: Melatonin treatment
Post by JJA on Dec 15th, 2004, 9:10pm
I will give you my opionion based on my experiences.
Start with 9mg and play around with the dosage if it doesn't work.  If the melatonin works I would only take it while in cycle and taper off it like a traditional med.  

I had a bad experience when I stopped taking melatonin too fast and started another cycle way before I was due.  Because of that, I tried staying on it between cycles and it didn't work for me when my next cycle started.  When I tapered after my cycle it worked perfectly.  Of course, this all may be coincidence...    

Is that what you were asking?

I hope it works for you.

Jesse

Title: Re: Melatonin treatment
Post by PaulL on Dec 15th, 2004, 10:15pm
Thanks.  Are there any side effects?  My left nostril has been running all day -- my CH come in my left eye -- and it's definitely not a cold.  I've had shadows but no headaches.

Title: Re: Melatonin treatment
Post by JJA on Dec 16th, 2004, 8:26am
Side effects?  Drowsiness, obviously.  It seemed like I had more shadows, but the payoff of no real headaches made up for that.  I didn't have any runny nose.  Melatonin is usually described as having few if any side effects, but there are few if any scientific studies to support that belief.  



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