RE: Starting/stopping meds

[Guest guest]

Sandie, have you considered Melatonin 3mgs taken half an hour

before you go to bed. It sounds as if you need your sleep pattern adjusting.

Make absolutely sure there is no light coming through your curtains as you need

complete darkness. When my sleep pattern got all messed up, I started taking

Melatonin and it worked wonderfully. I started to feel sleepy shortly after

taking it and went off to bed and slept through the night. I used to wake

feeling really refreshed. Some get a slight headache in the morning but this doesn't

linger.

If this was me, I would wait and see what effect the hCG drops

and VLCD has on your endocrine system before changing anything or deciding

whether or not to try Florinef. However, I would keep in a stock of the Nutri

Adrenal Extra for those days when you suffer with extra stress. Since the diet,

I no longer feel the need for any adrenal support, but my adrenals were not too

bad. Only very occasionally now I will take a couple of tablets if I am

suffering with excess stress, which is rare, but it's good to know they are

there when needed.

You can buy it from Biovea http://www.biovea.net/(S(x143gx552xnkqf55ippwl445))/product_detail.aspx?PID=1135 & CID=0 & OS=202

What

is Melatonin and where does it come from?

Melatonin is the hormone responsible for regulating the body’s biological

clock. It is produced by the pineal gland, which is located in the brain.

Melatonin helps to regulate sleep. During daylight, the pineal gland in the

brain produces the neurotransmitter serotonin, but at night, the pineal gland

stops producing serotonin and instead makes melatonin. This melatonin release

helps trigger sleep.

Why take Melatonin?

• Insomnia: The ability to fall asleep and stay asleep may get a

boost from melatonin supplementation. Some studies of young and elderly adults

have shown that taking a small amount of melatonin before bedtime helps to both

hasten sleep and improve its quality. These benefits were seen in insomniacs as

well as in individuals who struggle with only occasional sleep problems.

• Sleep problems caused by pain or stress: Frequent night-time

awakenings can occur as a result of chronic pain or stress. In such situations,

melatonin may help by encouraging sounder slumber.

• Jet lag: If you're working a night shift or are traveling across

time zones, melatonin supplements may help your body to overcome any

disorientation and quickly reestablish a normal sleep pattern. Recent studies

of airline personnel and others who travel long distances found that melatonin

supplements significantly relieved jet lag symptoms. This was true regardless

of whether they were flying eastbound or westbound. However, not all studies

have found melatonin to be superior to a placebo for such jet lag symptoms as

fatigue, daytime sleepiness and impaired alertness.

• Anti-Ageing: Animal research indicates that melatonin may be of

value in extending life--elderly mice administered the supplement lived 25%

longer than their cohorts in one study--although much more investigation is

needed before firm conclusions can be made about its value for humans in this

regard. Melatonin's antioxidant properties may help to stave off illnesses

commonly related to ageing, such as heart disease and cataracts. The hormone

may boost immune-system function as well, which can weaken with age.

• SAD-related depression: A number of people who feel quite normal

and energetic in summer become depressed and sluggish in winter, when sunlight

is weaker and less abundant. Low melatonin levels may also be present in

individuals who react in this way. According to a handful of preliminary

studies, such individuals are said to be suffering from SAD (seasonal affective

disorder) and may experience a significant improvement in mood if they take

several tiny doses (0.1 mg) of melatonin in the afternoon. Study participants

who failed to improve took either a large single dose in the morning or no

melatonin at all. More studies are needed in this area.

• Ocular Pressure: Taken in small amounts, Melatonin has been

shown to lower pressure in the eyes. Since studies have only been done on

healthy eyes, it is uncertain whether melatonin would be an effective treatment

for glaucoma.

• Parkinson’s Disease: Low melatonin levels may cause the

failure of

neurotransmitters, leading to Parkinson’s Disease. Supplementation may

prevent this from occurring.

Who needs it and what are the symptoms of deficiency?

It is largely thought that as people age, their bodies produce less melatonin.

Deficiencies can lead to insomnia. The production of melatonin varies according

to the amount of light you're exposed to; more melatonin is produced at night

than during the day, and your body produces more melatonin in a completely dark

room than in a dimly lit one.

Stress, illness, and ageing are the culprits that can speed up this deficiency

in Melatonin. Recent research has shown that Melatonin is one of the most

powerful antioxidants. The problem of insomnia is helped significantly with

Melatonin intake. Most people report a calm deep sleep; some report more dreams

and also a good nights rest.

How much should be taken? Are there any side effects?

Melatonin researchers themselves have yet to determine the optimum doses for

various users. Individual needs vary considerably depending on differences in

metabolism. For purposes of sleep, larger doses are not necessarily more

effective than smaller doses. (If you feel groggy the next morning, the dose

you have taken was too high; if you do not experience a deep restful sleep,

your dose may have been too low). Research findings indicate that the lowest

potency of melatonin can usually induce natural sleep patterns or help us to

cope with jet lag. However they determined that the highest potencies are

needed by seniors 65 years of age and older.

Luv - Sheila

Would you wait and see post diet about Florinef? after experiencing that

wonderful one nights sleep I'm desperate for more, as I know that will help

make me feel even better and improve my health.

Thanks

Sandie

[Guest guest]

Thanks for your reply Sheila, I had not thought about Melatonin, that does make

more sense to take something specifically for sleep problems than Florinef.

Thankyou for the link, does it have to be the timed release tab? or would these

be just as good? http://www.healthmonthly.co.uk/swanson_melatonin_1

I do wear an eye mask to bed so yes I am in darkness.

I occassionally have difficulty dropping off but the problem is more waking at

night frequently, not for long but any interuption of sleep is not good and

leaves me feeling yuck in the morning.

Thanks for the suggestion I'll keep my fingers crossed it works for me.

Sandie.

>

> Sandie, have you considered Melatonin 3mgs taken half an hour before you go

> to bed. It sounds as if you need your sleep pattern adjusting. Make

> absolutely sure there is no light coming through your curtains as you need

> complete darkness. When my sleep pattern got all messed up, I started taking

> Melatonin and it worked wonderfully. I started to feel sleepy shortly after

> taking it and went off to bed and slept through the night. I used to wake

> feeling really refreshed. Some get a slight headache in the morning but this

> doesn't linger.

>

> If this was me, I would wait and see what effect the hCG drops and VLCD has

> on your endocrine system before changing anything or deciding whether or not

> to try Florinef. However, I would keep in a stock of the Nutri Adrenal Extra

> for those days when you suffer with extra stress. Since the diet, I no

> longer feel the need for any adrenal support, but my adrenals were not too

> bad. Only very occasionally now I will take a couple of tablets if I am

> suffering with excess stress, which is rare, but it's good to know they are

> there when needed.

>

>