Hi there.

After investigating and experimenting during my past three cycles, I believe I may have found the best way to use melatonin as a preventative for nocturnal hits.

I've tried different doses and methods until I found what clearly works for me. Here are my conclusions:

A. Combine regular melatonin with slow-release melatonin. For me, 2mg slow release + 3-6mg regular melatonin proved more effective than similar doses (5-8mg) and even higher doses of regular/slow release alone.

B. Start with small doses than gradually go up. I believe the slow release form help maintain m' blood concentration through the night. The regular form increases blood melatonin quickly, but than it slowly declines and that alone may trigger an attack (not the concentration at a certain point but the decline process itself). So you may need smaller doses than what you nay have gotten used to and it's better to start with 2mg+3mg or 2mg+5mg, than up the doses.

C. Remember to take the slow release m' at list 2 hours before going to sleep. The SR stays in your system longer, which might make you sleepy during the morning. Taking it some 8-9 hours before your waking hour will usually solve the problem.

D. Split the regular m' to two doses. I take half an hour before sleep and the other half some 15-30 minutes before sleep. I believe it gets better results.

E. Experiment. Basically, if the m' works properly, you should wake up just fine. If you find it more difficult to wake up in the morning, this probably means you should use a smaller dose or take it earlier. We know everyone's different.

Also, during the course of a cycle you may need to up the dose a little and than decrease it when the cycle approaches it's end.

F. Try getting some sunlight in the morning. The sun will not only help you in the manufacturing of D vitamin, but also in converting the excess melatonin into serotonin, which will make you less tired and more energized and may help prevent some daily hits as well.

Hope you'll find it helpful.

I have been experiencing quite positive response to somthing similar to above.  5mg time release two hours before bedtime with 5mg fast disolve within 30 mins of bedtime.

This particular eposodic cycle had been the worst in quite a few years, and this is also the first cycle that I have used Melatonin (and only Melatonin) +redbull and coffee and imitrex for acute abortion of CHs.  I started the Melatonin regimine 11 days into the cycle, and after the 3rd day of Melatonin, have been almost PF for 5 days in a row.  Keeping my fingers crossed that I can keep the night hits under controll for the rest of this cycle. 

I will say that I have been getting a few shadows during the day which is kind of rare for me, but would far rather get shadows than get the usual evening full blown CHs.  While I used to be abort CH with redbull, I cant anymore, but I can usually shake a day shadow with Rbull and a few cups of Coffee. 

I've had good results taking 10mg of controlled release and 5mg of regular Melatonin right before bed in the past but it's been ineffective for my nighttime hits in this cycle.  I tried following your recommendation by taking the 10mg controlled release melatonin a couple of hours before bedtime but it still hasn't made a dent.

Should I increase my dosage?  How much melatonin is too much?

G'day Mate,
I've read the best results are achieved by taking 10-15mg
of regular Melatonin before going to bed.

Hoppy.

I typicall do 10mg of extended and 5 immidiate iirc, at one point I was taking 30mg of extended when I wasn't sleeping well.
my effective dose is 15mg with 20mg being better but I didn't notice a huge difference in any doses higher than that.
$.02

Hi,

I'm interested in user's experience here...

My supervising specialist (A Professor of Clinical Pharmacology and headache specialist) advised that if I were to pursue Melatonin for use in CH, I would have to make an important distinction between A: OTC "Homeopathic" versions (In his opinion, crap) and B: Prescription medication Melatonin (passed clinical trials for safety & efficacy and met regulatory approvals).

I did use, under his supervision, an approved prescription Melatonergic Anti-depressant called Agomelatin, or "Valdoxan" for my CH, but had no luck, just a really good night's sleep.

Could anyone help to clear up the distinction between the myriad of available Over-the-counter Homeopathic Melatonin supplements, example:

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And Clinically trialled prescription Melatonin "type" medication (Which we can use 'Off-label" in CH), approved for use in the Treatment of Primary Insomnia?
Like "Circadin":

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Feedback appreciated.

Cheers, Ben.

When shopping for melatonin, other than the obvious mg dosage, how can you tell what is extended release and immediate release? Just browsing my pharmacy's website and not seeing anything obvious on the labels. Is there something in the ingredients I need to be looking for?

When looking at Melatonin look for this. N-Acetyl -5-

Hoppy.

Melatonin ... Read Todd Rozen!!!

Combining standard and slow release apparently provides a more "normal" sleep meaning less grog or bizarre dreams as some have. It doesn't seem to matter with regard to prophylaxis.

Best,

E

E-Double wrote on Mar 16^th, 2014 at 8:15am:

Melatonin ... Read Todd Rozen!!!

Link to a specific study please?

Maybe Rozen's literature can answer my question.
I'm still looking for a distinction between OTC and prescription Melatonin use in CH patients...

Which Melatonin types are CHers having "success" with?

OTC "Homeopathic" versions?
OR
Prescription Melatonin?

Unfortunately, most of Rozen's abstracts and extracts are truncated by Journals and do not go into sufficient detail. The full study versions are locked behind Medical Journal pay walls. The best I could find on Melatonin was this:

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He mentions using a Melatonin 3mg dose and 9mg at bedtime in CH. But elsewhere, he comments on the variability of nominated strength (hence dosage) of OTC Melatonin...


Quote:

2002, Volume 2, Issue 2, pp 114-121 New treatments in cluster headache     Todd D. Rozen MD "If one brand of commercial melatonin does not work, another should be tried because the true amount of melatonin in different over-the-counter brands varies widely."

Any feedback from users?
Better studies anyone?

I've read many times on the prescribed Melatonin not being very affective in night time CH relief. The one that seems to give the best overall result is euro vital 5mg. From Biovea.

Hoppy.