Re: melatonin for children

[Guest guest]

I give my autistic son 1 mg a night. Some give up to 3mg. Sleep problems

are very common among autistic children, so a lot of them take this.

There are no long term effect studies on children. That's the only

unsettling part I have with it.

Anne

[Guest guest]

Clonidine is a sedative- I do not know if I would add Melatonin. That would be a

Dr's call.

http://www.healthandage.com/html/res/com/ConsSupplements/Interactions/Melatoninc\

s.html

Blood Pressure Medications

Melatonin may reduce the effectiveness of blood pressure medications like

methoxamine and Clonidine. In addition, medications in a class called calcium

channel blockers (such as nifedipine, verapamil, diltiazem, amlodipine,

nimodipine, felodipine, nisoldipine, and bepridil) may decrease melatonin

levels.

Use of beta-blockers (another class of high blood pressure medications including

propranolol, acebutolol, atenolol, labetolol, metoprolol, pindolol, nadolol,

sotalol, and timolol) may reduce melatonin production in the body.

http://www.wellfx.com/vit_melatonin_.htm

INTERACTIONS

Clonidine; Methoxamine

Melatonin impaired the efficacy of both methoxamine and clonidine by relaxing

vascular smooth muscle through an undetermined mechanism in an ex-vivo

experiment using thoracic aorta excised from male rats (Weekley 1991). It is not

known whether exogenous melatonin can antagonize the effects of methoxamine and

clonidine in humans.

Clonidine has not been extensively tested in children- so I doubt there is a

study of kids on it along with Melatonin: I can't find one if there is.

Clonidine is usually prescribed to those who suffer from hypertension. I know

that is does cause a temporary rise in BP after administration, that then

lowers. Are you giving the medicine to her before bed? Could the rise in BP be

waking her up?

She may be awakening due to low blood sugar? I would try feeding her a high

protein snack before bed. Dairy can cause awakening also. Magnesium , taurine,

and zinc all promote rest.

here are links to Melatonin & Autism:

http://www.udaan.org/drugs/autrx2.html

http://www.keepkidshealthy.com/medicine_cabinet/melatonin_sleep_problems.html

Everyone in my family has taken Melatonin at one time or another, from my 3 yr

old to my husband. Melatonin can cause dreams to be more vivid, so it did not

work for my husband. It helps re-establish sleep patterns, and was recommended

for my children in short term doses: i.e. for five days by their Dr.

Works like a charm for everyone else.

[Guest guest]

,

I give my 5 year old, 40 lb daughter 1/2 of a 1 mg melatonin at night along with

her clonodine to sleep. She takes 1/2 a clonidine pill which I believe are 1mg

each and it works well for her. When we had a spell where she awoke we added

that amount of melatonin. That was about 6 months ago and it's still working

well for her. I have heard of side effects in melatonin in smaller children and

I plan to talk about it with her sleep specialist at our next appointment. I

don't think it's intended for long term use. I wish you well; I KNOW it isn't

easy.

Tammy

----- Original Message -----

Sorry for the cross postings but I need some help. My daughter has been on

clonidine for 6mos (.15mg or 1 1/2 pills). When we first tried the clonidine,

it worked wonderful. Lately, she has been getting up at night & its been taking

her a very long time to fall back asleep (if she does fall to sleep). The dr

stated that she hasn't gained enough weight to merit a change in dosage & with

her weight teh dosage should work. My daughter is really hard to comfort at

night . I have been researching melatonin. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to

find much research on the effects of melatonin on children, the long term

effects & how it reacts with other medicines. Has anyone ever tried melatonin

for their child. I would like a little more info before I call the Dr's office

to discuss it with the pediatrician. Most of the research articles I have read

states the dosage for children 2.5mg at bedtime for children under 5. My

daughter is 4.5yrs old.

Thanks,

[Guest guest]

Was the clonidine prescribed for sleep issues specifically?

Melatonin works fine... sometimes you need to have a break from it,

though. The other person's post sounded good-- you need to ask a

doctor before starting it.

Kirkman Labs GABA page also mentions that GABA has a tranquilizing

effect-- I have heard of it used for sleep problems and some parents

are happier with GABA than they are melatonin.

And you should investigate mercury toxicity issues (do a hair test,

not a blood test) because mercury disrupts the processes needed for

sleep.

W

> Sorry for the cross postings but I need some help. My daughter has

been on clonidine for 6mos (.15mg or 1 1/2 pills). When we first

tried the clonidine, it worked wonderful. Lately, she has been

getting up at night & its been taking her a very long time to fall

back asleep (if she does fall to sleep).

[Guest guest]

, we used to use melatonin for Evan for a long time with no ill

effects. The only problem that we had with it was that it would put him to

sleep within 30 minutes but he would be awake again in 4 hours. We added

magnesium to it and that helped keep him asleep. Magnesium by itself might

also be effective. You might try a calcium supplement that has magnesium in

it before you try the melatonin. I bought our melatonin/magnesium

supplement from www.kirkmanlabs.com They have information on all their

products which are mainly for children with autism.

Betty

grandma and guardian to

- 11 yo-- Bipolar/ADHD on Depakote, Adderall, Omega 3's

Evan - 8 yo nonverbal autism on 3 mg Risperdal

- 6 - Bipolar/ADHD/RAD/PTSD on Tegretol, Adderall, clondine .1 mg,

Omega 3's

mother to , their mom - Bipolar/ADHD on Topamax

wife to Bob too many meds to remember

[Guest guest]

Hi

We had a huge settling problem with our guy at bedtime. We started with the

'stay in bed program' from the Work In Progress manual and this worked

wonders for keeping him in bed but he would still be up hours verbal

stimming before he finally went to sleep. Thankfully at least once he was

asleep he would stay asleep till morning except for the rare waking up at

3:00 occasion. We started him on Melatonin and it has been amazing. We are

only giving him 1mg about a half hour before he goes to bed and he is asleep

anywhere from 2 minutes to 15 minutes. The key we found was to remember

this is not a sleeping drug. If the child is not remotely looking like they

are ready for sleep you are wasting the melatonin. We have a routine which

has helped settle him down and I put on his bedtime video with the lights

down low and he is usually laying tired on the couch when I say it's time to

brush your teeth and bed time. Melatonin is something we have naturally in

our bodies but it has been noted that as a large percentage of our kids have

sleeping issues they may not produce enough to feel sleepy or stay asleep.

Beth

melatonin for children

> Sorry for the cross postings but I need some help. My daughter has been

on clonidine for 6mos (.15mg or 1 1/2 pills). When we first tried the

clonidine, it worked wonderful. Lately, she has been getting up at night &

its been taking her a very long time to fall back asleep (if she does fall

to sleep). The dr stated that she hasn't gained enough weight to merit a

change in dosage & with her weight teh dosage should work. My daughter is

really hard to comfort at night . I have been researching melatonin. U

> nfortunately, I haven't been able to find much research on the effects of

melatonin on children, the long term effects & how it reacts with other

medicines. Has anyone ever tried melatonin for their child. I would like a

little more info before I call the Dr's office to discuss it with the

pediatrician. Most of the research articles I have read states the dosage

for children 2.5mg at bedtime for children under 5. My daughter is 4.5yrs

old.

>

> Thanks,

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

I have also heard of families having great success with a calcium/magnesium

supplements for sleeping issues. We do use Epsom salts in his bath each

night for some magnesium absorption.

Beth

Re: melatonin for children

> , we used to use melatonin for Evan for a long time with no ill

> effects. The only problem that we had with it was that it would put him

to

> sleep within 30 minutes but he would be awake again in 4 hours. We added

> magnesium to it and that helped keep him asleep. Magnesium by itself might

> also be effective. You might try a calcium supplement that has magnesium

in

> it before you try the melatonin. I bought our melatonin/magnesium

> supplement from www.kirkmanlabs.com They have information on all their

> products which are mainly for children with autism.

>

> Betty

> grandma and guardian to

> - 11 yo-- Bipolar/ADHD on Depakote, Adderall, Omega 3's

> Evan - 8 yo nonverbal autism on 3 mg Risperdal

> - 6 - Bipolar/ADHD/RAD/PTSD on Tegretol, Adderall, clondine .1 mg,

> Omega 3's

> mother to , their mom - Bipolar/ADHD on Topamax

> wife to Bob too many meds to remember

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

Yes, the clonodine was prescribed specifically to help him fall asleep.

And I mailed out the hair test for metal today. I'm curious to see what

they find..................

Annette

----- Original Message -----

> Was the clonidine prescribed for sleep issues specifically?

>

> Melatonin works fine... sometimes you need to have a break from it,

> though. The other person's post sounded good-- you need to ask a

> doctor before starting it.

>

> Kirkman Labs GABA page also mentions that GABA has a tranquilizing

> effect-- I have heard of it used for sleep problems and some parents

> are happier with GABA than they are melatonin.

>

> And you should investigate mercury toxicity issues (do a hair test,

> not a blood test) because mercury disrupts the processes needed for

> sleep.

>

> W

[Guest guest]

yes, our pediatrician prescribed clonidine for sleeping issues. I am also

looking into calcium-magnesium as a possibilty.

Thanks,

----- Original Message -----

> Was the clonidine prescribed for sleep issues specifically?

>

> Melatonin works fine... sometimes you need to have a break from it,

> though. The other person's post sounded good-- you need to ask a

> doctor before starting it.

>

> Kirkman Labs GABA page also mentions that GABA has a tranquilizing

> effect-- I have heard of it used for sleep problems and some parents

> are happier with GABA than they are melatonin.

>

> And you should investigate mercury toxicity issues (do a hair test,

> not a blood test) because mercury disrupts the processes needed for

> sleep.

>

> W

[Guest guest]

which company did you use for the hair test? was it expensive? i want to do

it and don't know where to get it done? at home or through the doctor's

office and insurance?

thanks

lori

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

We have been using melatonin for about two years or so on and off for our

four year old son. I believe it is used in the US for jet lag. It is not

really licenced over here in the UK so many GPs haven't heard of it or are

happy to give it to kids.

We gave it to Mikey because although he rarely has sleep problems (sleeps 14

hours a night!) sometimes he can get quite distressed about not being able to

get to sleep. We give between 1-3 capsules about 30 minutes before bed. Our

paedrician actually wanted us to give Mikey 3 capsules every night but we

have only done that twice as the more he has the more unsettled he is if he

wakes up in the night.

We also give him Clonidine. He originally had Risperidone but he has the

shakes after one dose so we stopped that. Clonidine is another drug not

licensed over here for kids under 12. It is a drug to low blood pressure I

believe.

Mikey has had this on two occasions and is currently on it (a week so far).

It is mainly to control his aggressive behaviour and tantruming due to his

autism. We do give it at night so it does help get him off. We will give it

to him for about another week to make sure the " rough time " is over and then

just keep a supply should he get bad again. It is something that I am not

happy to keep him on long term. The last time he was on it he was only for

two months and then we chose to take him off it. He has one 25 microgram

tablet a night. You can go up to 75 Micrograms I believe but I have no

intention of going that far unless he is trashing the house and hitting us.

I am not sure if this helps you or not.

[Guest guest]

-

I have not personally used melatonin with my daughter, but I correspond with

MANY parents who use it and have never heard any of them complain of

" negative " effects.

That's all the info I have, though.

Penny

melatonin for children

Sorry for the cross postings but I need some help. My daughter has been

on clonidine for 6mos (.15mg or 1 1/2 pills). When we first tried the

clonidine, it worked wonderful. Lately, she has been getting up at night &

its been taking her a very long time to fall back asleep (if she does fall

to sleep). The dr stated that she hasn't gained enough weight to merit a

change in dosage & with her weight teh dosage should work. My daughter is

really hard to comfort at night . I have been researching melatonin.

Unfortunately, I haven't been able to find much research on the effects of

melatonin on children, the long term effects & how it reacts with other

medicines. Has anyone ever tried melatonin for their child. I would like a

little more info before I call the Dr's office to discuss it with the

pediatrician. Most of the research articles I have read states the dosage

for children 2.5mg at bedtime for children under 5. My daughter is 4.5yrs

old.

Thanks,