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        New Message Board Archives >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies 2005 >> Melatonin--positive report
        
(Message started by: Bob_Johnson on Jun 25^th, 2005, 2:38pm)

Title: Melatonin--positive report
Post by Bob_Johnson on Jun 25^th, 2005, 2:38pm

Cephalalgia. 2005 Jun;25(6):403-11.

Melatonin, the pineal gland and their implications for headache disorders.

Peres MF.

Brain Research Institute, Albert Einstein Hospital, Sao Paulo, Brazil. marioperes@yahoo.com

There is now evidence that melatonin may have a role in the biological regulation of circadian rhythms, sleep, mood, and ageing. Altered melatonin levels in cluster headache and migraine have been documented. Melatonin mechanisms are related to headache pathophysiology in many ways, including its anti-inflammatory effect, toxic free radical scavenging, reduction of proinflammatory cytokine up-regulation, nitric oxide synthase activity and dopamine release inhibition, membrane stabilization, GABA and opioid analgesia potentiation, glutamate neurotoxicity protection, neurovascular regulation, serotonin modulation, and the similarity of chemical structure to that of indomethacin. Treatment of headache disorders with melatonin and other chronobiotic agents is promising. A double-blind, placebo-controlled trial shows melatonin is effective in cluster headache prevention, other studies also show benefit in other disorders. Melatonin plays an important role in headache disorders, offering new avenues for studying their pathophysiology and treatment.

PMID: 15910564

Title: Re: Melatonin--positive report
Post by cazman on Jun 25^th, 2005, 3:51pm

someone might wanna tell the beast that , is there a particular amout that proves effective is to much bad i been taking 9mg at night and at first it worked great now it is not helping at all whats the proper dosage i guess is what im asking

Title: Re: Melatonin--positive report
Post by BikerBob on Jun 25^th, 2005, 3:55pm

I'd call that a fabulous report....... Nice find, Bob !!

[smiley=sayyes.gif]

BB

Title: Re: Melatonin--positive report
Post by BikerBob on Jun 25^th, 2005, 4:13pm

on 06/25/05 at 15:51:46, cazman wrote:

Though Melatonin is not an immediate cure for ending a CH cycle it is well known that it helps a lot and it doesn't seem to interfere with any other CH preventives.

I was using 6-9 mg Melatonin and 600 mg Verapamil when my last cycle ended. It was my shortest cycle of more than 15 episodes during the last 30 years.

BB

Title: Re: Melatonin--positive report
Post by Bob_Johnson on Jun 25^th, 2005, 8:58pm

All the trials I've seen were using 9 or 10mg/day.

Both Seymour Diamond and L. Robbins--both well established headache docs--advise their patients that a success rate of 60% for any individual med is the norm. (The exception is, perhaps, Imitrex injection where I've seen stats of 90%.)

My point is simply, don't discourage yourself by expecting 100% good outcome with any med you use. The PDR if full of good outcome data if you really want to see you odds.

Title: Re: Melatonin--positive report
Post by E-Double on Jun 26^th, 2005, 9:54am

http://www.immunesupport.com/library/showarticle.cfm/ID/3360/

Title: Re: Melatonin--positive report
Post by burnt-toast on Jun 26^th, 2005, 9:56am

on 06/25/05 at 20:58:50, Bob_Johnson wrote:

Both Seymour Diamond and L. Robbins--both well established headache docs--advise their patients that a success rate of 60% for any individual med is the norm. (The exception is, perhaps, Imitrex injection where I've seen stats of 90%.)

My point is simply, don't discourage yourself by expecting 100% good outcome with any med you use. The PDR if full of good outcome data if you really want to see you odds.

I believe you. Cycle to cycle and within each cycle the effectiveness of a particular med. can vary. Excellent point.

Tom

Title: Re: Melatonin--positive report
Post by birdman on Jun 27^th, 2005, 10:44am

My neuro said to take 9mg but I took 3mg the first night and very sleepy. Still just taking 3mg a night and sleeping good. Does the full 9mg knock anybody out? Not that I would mind that.
P.S. - London Calling was one of my favorite albums growing up. Didn't think there was anybody else out there.

Title: Re: Melatonin--positive report
Post by burnt-toast on Jun 27^th, 2005, 12:47pm

I can't say the 9mg knocks me out but I will say that I feel more lethargic in the mornings. This usually wears off before 10:00.

Tom

Title: Re: Melatonin--positive report
Post by birdman on Jun 27^th, 2005, 12:50pm

I am groggy till around mid morning just taking the 3mg's. If nightime CH's return I guess I will try adding slowly.

Title: Re: Melatonin--positive report
Post by TxBasslady on Jun 28^th, 2005, 1:43am

Melatonin helped me to have 9 months of relatively pf time.

For some reason, it stopped working for me in December. However, I'm thankful for the time it worked.

Tried to take it again in Feb. when I started on the Kudzu but it didn't work. Been fine on the Kudzu.

Good info, Bob

PF vibes,

Jean

Title: Re: Melatonin--positive report
Post by marlinsfan on Jun 28^th, 2005, 8:01am

I started taking 9 mg after 4 nights of 6mg and HAs. I still wake up at 6 am or so, a bit groggy, but no hangover. Most nights, no pain, however I have had many nights with 4-4:30 headaches while taking the 9 mg. My life is much better since taking melatoning. Have only had one night (in 2 weeks) with more than 1 HA, after my normal 3 HAs per night.

Jose

Title: Re: Melatonin--positive report
Post by Sandy_C on Jul 1^st, 2005, 10:48am

Melatonin question -

I've read a lot of you are taking 3mg to 9 mg Melatonin each night. Thought I'd give it a try and found Sundown Melatonin at my grocery store health food dept. My bottle says 300 mcg per pill. I took two last night, slept like a log and woke up at 6:00 this morning really groggy. Exactly how much mg is one 300 mcg? Am I taking too much because I gotta tell you, I was a zombie this morning.

Thanks for the help.

Sandy

Title: Re: Melatonin--positive report
Post by marlinsfan on Jul 1^st, 2005, 9:51pm

Hey Sandy,
I use the same brand, and I asked the guy at the pharmacy. 300 mcg = 3 mg. I take 3 pills, 900 mcg = 9 mg. I tried 6 mg for a few days and was still getting hit in the middle of hte night.With 9 mg, I get hit only at 5-6 am when I get hit.

Good luck and pf wishes.
Jose

Title: Re: Melatonin--positive report
Post by E-Double on Jul 1^st, 2005, 10:08pm

you'll get used to it Sandy.

The grog wears off and if it is effective for ya the CH's will be gone @ night and you should be well rested :)

Title: Re: Melatonin--positive report
Post by paul_pero on Jul 3^rd, 2005, 8:30am

I started using 6mg melatonin 10 days ago. I had already started my cluster.

Since taking my HAs have instead of coming 1 or 2 a night have now come 3 or 4 every second night. every other day is usually PF. I didn't really pay attention to this detail untill I checked my diary. I've just got O2 and have been killing pain for the first time and have just been glad of that to realise my cycle has changed somewhat.

Paul

Title: Re: Melatonin--positive report
Post by Sandy_C on Jul 3^rd, 2005, 1:35pm

Thanks to all. I'll keep trying the Melatonin. I DID sleep like a baby, but was so groggy the next morning I was afraid to take any more until I got some info from all of you. I'll try cutting it back to just one at night and see how that goes. If that's not cutting it, back to two pills and hopefully the zombie feeling will go away after a few nights.

Again, thanks!