Melatonin

[Guest guest]

BTW: A quick search for Melatonin on Medscape (www.medscape.com)

shows the current debate in the Medical community.

A note that I found to be important was that very low doses are the

key and that most store brands contain extremely excessive doses.

I use 1mg doses.

Dr Wurtman's research seems to show that .3mg doses were the most

effective.

Many store brands I found contained 3mg, 10mg and even 15mg doses,

these can cause many problems.

They may even cause sleep problems as your body begins to cut back

it's own Melatonin production.

Just a word of caution.

Reade

[Guest guest]

Hi Jim,

I have tried melatonin in two formats, sublingual and tablets. It

gives me a weird reaction. On the following day, I feel very down,

depressed. This depression lasts only a day, but always following

melatonin. For this reason, I've given it up. Have you or anyone

else ever heard of this? I know so many people who sleep beautifully

with 5HTP. It keeps me up all night, like caffeine.

Sandy

> > > does anyone know how to put me to sleep. i have bad yeast and

> > parasites. and

> > > haven't found anything yet to really achieve deep sleep. i think

> > part of the

> > > problem lies in not having enough circulation to my brain.

> >

> > Did you think to try hatha yoga? For circulation brain and thyroid

> > problem there's Sarvangasana. If you are interested I can tell

more

> > about it.If you succed to concentrate well on the chakra wich this

> > asana activate, and on the energy flow you'll have all the

benefits

> > this asana give.

> >

> > Alina

> >

> >

> >

> > i was on thyroid

> > > hormone. i never slept so well in my whole life. but this has

long

> > since

> > > ceased to work for me.

> >

>

> -----

> carpe diem, carpe pecuniam, carpe feminas. -- Jim Lambert

>

> jlambert@i... http://www.entrance.to/madscience

> http://www.entrance.to/poetry

[Guest guest]

4-19-2001 Sandy wrote:

>Hi Jim,

>

>I have tried melatonin in two formats, sublingual and tablets. It

>gives me a weird reaction. On the following day, I feel very down,

>depressed. This depression lasts only a day, but always following

>melatonin.

Sandy,

This used to happen to me, until I started using 0.3 mg, which was

very effective. I've slowly worked up to 3.0 mg, and the problem

is gone. You could even start with 1/3 of a 0.3 mg capsule.

>For this reason, I've given it up. Have you or anyone else ever

>heard of this? I know so many people who sleep beautifully with 5HTP.

>It keeps me up all night, like caffeine.

Maybe you really could use the 5HTP. You could take it

(or L-tryptophan) in the daytime (on an empty stomach).

See the following for more information.

Bill

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

From: " Greg " <gowatson@...>

<AntiAgingResearch >

Date: Tue, 20 Mar 2001

Subj: [AntiAgingResearch] Better sleep

I now find a early morning dose of B12, Folate, B6 & L-Tryptophan

works as well as 6 mg of Melatonin at night.

The B12, Folate & B6 help to recycle Homocysteine back into SamE

and the Tryptophane helps to boost Serotonin.

Both SamE and Serotonin are needed to drive Melatonin production.

Either one being low will result in low Melatonin release at night.

I now sleep as well as I did on 6 mg of Melatonin and feel more

alert and mentally capable during the day thanks to the boosted

levels of Serotonin & SamE.

========================

Good Health & Long Life,

Greg ,

http://www.ozemail.com.au/~gowatson

gowatson@...

..

[Guest guest]

Hi Sandy, It doesn't make me depressed but it makes me feel like my brain waves

are distorted. Very unpleasant. I figure it is something to do with the

neurological imparement related to cfs.

Donna

Re: melatonin

Hi Jim,

I have tried melatonin in two formats, sublingual and tablets. It

gives me a weird reaction. On the following day, I feel very down,

depressed. This depression lasts only a day, but always following

melatonin. For this reason, I've given it up. Have you or anyone

else ever heard of this? I know so many people who sleep beautifully

with 5HTP. It keeps me up all night, like caffeine.

Sandy

> > > does anyone know how to put me to sleep. i have bad yeast and

> > parasites. and

> > > haven't found anything yet to really achieve deep sleep. i think

> > part of the

> > > problem lies in not having enough circulation to my brain.

> >

> > Did you think to try hatha yoga? For circulation brain and thyroid

> > problem there's Sarvangasana. If you are interested I can tell

more

> > about it.If you succed to concentrate well on the chakra wich this

> > asana activate, and on the energy flow you'll have all the

benefits

> > this asana give.

> >

> > Alina

> >

> >

> >

> > i was on thyroid

> > > hormone. i never slept so well in my whole life. but this has

long

> > since

> > > ceased to work for me.

> >

>

> -----

> carpe diem, carpe pecuniam, carpe feminas. -- Jim Lambert

>

> jlambert@i... http://www.entrance.to/madscience

> http://www.entrance.to/poetry

OxyPLUS is an unmoderated e-ring dealing with oxidative therapies, and other

alternative self-help subjects.

THERE IS NO MEDICAL ADVICE HERE!

This list is the 1st Amendment in action. The things you will find here are

for information and research purposes only. We are people sharing information

we believe in. If you act on ideas found here, you do so at your own risk.

Self-help requires intelligence, common sense, and the ability to take

responsibility for your own actions. By joining the list you agree to hold

yourself FULLY responsible FOR yourself. Do not use any ideas found here

without consulting a medical professional, unless you are a researcher or health

care provider.

You can unsubscribe via e-mail by sending A NEW e-mail to the following

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DO NOT USE REPLY BUTTON & DO NOT PUT THIS IN THE SUBJECT LINE or BODY of the

message! :

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oxyplus-normalonelist - switch your subscription to normal mode.

[Guest guest]

Hi Donna,

No, it's simply a deep depression. I find it scary. As far as I

know, I don't have CFS. I have suspected it at times, but I haven't

been diagnosed. I mentioned it to the owner of my favorite (no

longer) health food store, and he thought it was funny. Asked if I'm

sure that I'm not depressed at other times. I have changed dosages,

changed formats (sublingual/tablets) and brands. I don't want to

feel like that. So I stopped.

Sandy

> > > > does anyone know how to put me to sleep. i have bad yeast

and

> > > parasites. and

> > > > haven't found anything yet to really achieve deep sleep.

i think

> > > part of the

> > > > problem lies in not having enough circulation to my brain.

> > >

> > > Did you think to try hatha yoga? For circulation brain and

thyroid

> > > problem there's Sarvangasana. If you are interested I can

tell

> more

> > > about it.If you succed to concentrate well on the chakra

wich this

> > > asana activate, and on the energy flow you'll have all the

> benefits

> > > this asana give.

> > >

> > > Alina

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > > i was on thyroid

> > > > hormone. i never slept so well in my whole life. but this

has

> long

> > > since

> > > > ceased to work for me.

> > >

> >

> > -----

> > carpe diem, carpe pecuniam, carpe feminas. -- Jim Lambert

> >

> > jlambert@i... http://www.entrance.to/madscience

> > http://www.entrance.to/poetry

>

>

>

> OxyPLUS is an unmoderated e-ring dealing with oxidative

therapies, and other alternative self-help subjects.

>

> THERE IS NO MEDICAL ADVICE HERE!

>

> This list is the 1st Amendment in action. The things you will

find here are for information and research purposes only. We are

people sharing information we believe in. If you act on ideas found

here, you do so at your own risk. Self-help requires intelligence,

common sense, and the ability to take responsibility for your own

actions. By joining the list you agree to hold yourself FULLY

responsible FOR yourself. Do not use any ideas found here without

consulting a medical professional, unless you are a researcher or

health care provider.

>

> You can unsubscribe via e-mail by sending A NEW e-mail to the

following address - NOT TO THE OXYPLUS LIST! -

> DO NOT USE REPLY BUTTON & DO NOT PUT THIS IN THE SUBJECT LINE

or BODY of the message! :

>

> oxyplus-unsubscribeegroups

>

> oxyplus-normalonelist - switch your subscription to

normal mode.

>

>

[Guest guest]

Well, I had the same experience with flax and borage oil, so you just never

know. Those two things are supposed to raise the dead and they seem to be

highly toxic to me. I was told it could be the arachadonic acid in them.

Anyway, I totally understand the reality that something that helps everyone

else can make another person really ill.

Donna

Re: melatonin

Hi Donna,

No, it's simply a deep depression. I find it scary. As far as I

know, I don't have CFS. I have suspected it at times, but I haven't

been diagnosed. I mentioned it to the owner of my favorite (no

longer) health food store, and he thought it was funny. Asked if I'm

sure that I'm not depressed at other times. I have changed dosages,

changed formats (sublingual/tablets) and brands. I don't want to

feel like that. So I stopped.

Sandy

[Guest guest]

Donna,

I've read negative reports about melatonin. It's not a drug to be

taken lightly and I agree with you. People pop more than 3mg tablets

expecting it to work like a sleep aid, and this is dangerous for the

brain.

> On the melatonin, I just want to throw in a caution. I tried this

once, very low dose and it was unbelievably unpleasant. I don't have

any idea why, but I felt really messed up in my brain. My brain

waves felt like what you look like in a fun house mirror. I felt

this strange warped electrical thing in my brain. Felt the same

thing on gh3. If I was a fearful person, I would have been scared.

But I just calmed myself and rode it out. So, for a person with

cfs, I would say, just bite a tiny bit off a tab and see if you feel

anything negative. I don't knkow what it is with cfs people, but the

brain can really reactly weirdly to some really normal stuff that

seems to help everyone else.

>

> I am sure my experience is rare, and that for most people melatonin

is a wonderful experience, but still, it was so unpleasant for me

thatI feel it is important to share.

> Blessings,

> Donna

> -----Original Message-----

>

>

>

> Hi :

>

> As I've aged (like good wine, of course) I don't sleep as long

or as deep.

> One thing that I've found that helps me sleep deeper and longer

between

> periods of waking up is melatonin. This is a hormone that is

produced by

> the pineal gland as the day turns dark. I take12 mg at bedtime

and have

> found that it does help in the quality of my sleep. Along with

this my

> dreams are much more vivid and more frequent, which I like

because I use the

> information that I get from them to help understand what's

going on in my

> life. There are a number of books out there on the benefits of

melatonin

> beyond being a sleep aid. Some suggest it has artery cleaning

properties

> among lots of other things, and some advocate taking massive

does of it.

> The pineal gland does reduce its output of this hormone as we

age,

> particularly over 40.

>

>

> Jim B

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

<<Donna,

I've read negative reports about melatonin. It's not a drug to be

taken lightly and I agree with you. People pop more than 3mg tablets

expecting it to work like a sleep aid, and this is dangerous for the

brain.

>>

During the time when there was more publicity about it there were doctors

taking and suggesting as much as 100 mg and no side effects were noted that

I could find. I've had a couple of melatonin books and have not found side

effects noted, but have seen some recommendations that put a top side of

around 15 mg on it.

Jim

[Guest guest]

Dear Arnold: Please see your statement below. Would you mind elaborating on

your opinion of using Melatonin for (1) general good health and (2) breast

cancer. I have seen conflicting information.

Thanks, Kathy Ingham

For example, I may not want to rely on use of Hormonal Therapies for simple

convenient improvements in functioning. Such as taking Melatonin to help fall

asleep. But if I had prostate cancer I might look a lot closer at Hormone

Blockade therapy.The hoped for payoff and risk must be weighed to make a more

intelligent choice.

Arnold Gore

Consumers Health Freedom Coalition

[Guest guest]

Hi DeEtte,

I have personally have not had any experience with Melatonin, however I have known of several Older People who have taken Melatonin and had good results. Nevertheless you are doing the correct thing by researching to find out if there are any drawbacks. Always remember that even in Vitamins it all depends on the age, problem etc.

Below are The Links to "The Holistic Health Encyclopedia" and "The MSN Medical Encyclopedia."

The Holistic Health Encyclopedia

MyHolistic.com

http://www.myholistic.com/glossary/glossary.php3

Melatonin

This health-promoting hormone has become a leading natural sleep remedy.

Many people use melatonin just to combat insomnia and jet lag, not realizing that it plays other important roles in the body.

Melatonin is a powerful antioxidant that can permeate all cells and prevent free radical damage. Some studies suggest that it may actually slow the aging process and boost the immune system. Our bodies produce large amounts of melatonin when we're young, but the production declines with age and needs to be supplemented as we mature.

[Medscape]

Contrary to popular belief, melatonin levels probably do not decline with age, according to a new study. Some advertisements have encouraged older people to take melatonin supplements to restore amounts of the hormone said to be lost with aging. Now a study contradicts the notion that melatonin levels in older people decline with age.

MSN Medical Encyclopedia

http://content.health.msn.com/encyclopedia

[Guest guest]

Are there any possible adverse consequences to long-term melatonin use at

any dose?

Thanks, Chris

_________________________________________________________________

Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com/intl.asp.

[Guest guest]

As I recall, yes. It can make you depressed. That may not happen

to everyone, but I know at least two people who had that symptom

from about 2 mg. per night.

Mike

> Are there any possible adverse consequences to long-term melatonin

use at

> any dose?

>

> Thanks, Chris

[Guest guest]

Anwar,

As I am based in the UK, I have been able to obtain Melatonin

from the following Internet site: -

www.immunesupport.com

Whilst they are based in the USA, they do have an international

telephone number to be used by those outside the USA. In addition, they are

happy to supply to the UK, and form personal experiences, a ninety days

supply of Melatonin tablets cost me $4.95 excluding postage costs, and was

delivered inside seven days!

I have found that contacting Immune Support be telephone in the

evening is usually the best time since it avoids peak rate telephone charges

in the UK, and has the significant benefit of taking into account the time

difference.

I hope this helps you find a source of Melatonin, that from

personal experience really does help compact the sleep disturbance symptom

of ME/CFS especially if falling asleep is a major problem.

Best wishes,

Andy

Melatonin

> Hi

> I'm looking for somewhere that sells Melatonin.

> Here in the UK patients can't buy it over-the-counter.

> Could anyone suggest a reputable source in the US

> where I could buy by mail order over the Web.

>

> Thanks

>

> Anwar

>

>

>

>

> This list is intended for patients to share personal experiences with each

other, not to give medical advice. If you are interested in any treatment

discussed here, please consult your doctor.

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Andy

Many thanks for the info, this is just the sort of place

I was looking for and they have the amount I want 0.5 mg :-)

best wishes

Anwar

> Anwar,

> As I am based in the UK, I have been able to obtain Melatonin

> from the following Internet site: -

>

> www.immunesupport.com

>

> Whilst they are based in the USA, they do have an international

> telephone number to be used by those outside the USA. In addition, they are

> happy to supply to the UK, and form personal experiences, a ninety days

> supply of Melatonin tablets cost me $4.95 excluding postage costs, and was

> delivered inside seven days!

> I have found that contacting Immune Support be telephone in the

> evening is usually the best time since it avoids peak rate telephone charges

> in the UK, and has the significant benefit of taking into account the time

> difference.

> I hope this helps you find a source of Melatonin, that from

> personal experience really does help compact the sleep disturbance symptom

> of ME/CFS especially if falling asleep is a major problem.

>

> Best wishes,

>

> Andy

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 4/23/02 9:09:37 PM Pacific Daylight Time,

writes:

> > Irma and laura?

> >

> > Have either of you tried Melatonin for sleep for your kids? The docs who

> > run DS clinics seem to think it's a good option; have seen good results

> > with the kids they see. Drs. Cohen and were talking about it

> with

> > me when I was in Fresno a week or so ago.

>

Yep, been there, done that......since Dr. Capone's really strong about the

sleep apnea thing, I am going to have that study done asap.....we may be onto

something...wouldn't it be nice if his sleep apnea was the root of all of

's behaviors? Guess I'm asking too much.......

[Guest guest]

My experience was very positive with melatonin. I used it sparingly.

My understanding is that it is a hormone that acts as a major anti-oxidant

reducing toxic free radicals in the system. I read somewhere that it is ten

times more effective than Vitamin C.

My theory is that it helps sleep by bringing the body's level of toxicity down

to a manageable level. I think our sleep problems are a result of the body's

mechanism not to allow it to sleep until

the level of toxins is reduced to a certain level.

Originally, I used melatonin, along with valerian root, as a sleep aid. When my

sleep returned to normal, I started using melatonin as a once or twice weekly

treatment before I go to bed to keep

the toxic level down. I use a return of symptoms as my guideline as to when I

should take melatonin.

This 'old-timer' got better by staying away from the medical profession. For

obvious reasons, I can't recommend staying away from doctors, but my personal

opinion is that people with CFS body's

have broken down so much that they can't process medication any more and all

medications are just another source of toxins that the body has to try and

eliminate.

Merle

Beedle wrote:

> Once, many years back, I thought melatonin was a Godsend. I started taking

> it and I slept better than I had for a long time. I started to feel better,

> probably because of the enhanced sleep. Then again, perhaps it was something

> altogether different that I was taking that was helping or a combination,

> but I felt it was the melatonin. Some of you may remember when it was about

> to be pulled off the market. I bought cases of the stuff so that I would not

>

> That type of thing is why I believe we need to keep in touch. Maybe someone

> else who had the same experience as I did with melatonin would be able to

> discuss a different common denominator..something else I was doing or taking

> at the time that actually was helping or working with the melatonin. Because

> this list did not exist at this time I had no way to know. Few people even

> knew much about melatonin at that time so there was no one to ask.

[Guest guest]

Hi Merle and All,

my experience with Melatonin was mixed. It

helped somewhat

with sleep, but, I feel that it made me worse overall. I have mentioned

that

I feel that I have some sort of autoimmune problem. I have heard that

Melatonin can be a problem for people with autoimmune conditions.

I have heard that it stimulates the immune system. That, in general, is

not

what one wants when one has an autoimmune condition.

Mike

[Guest guest]

Years ago I took melatonin (for jet lag going to Japan and back, and then

for sleep). I read one thing somewhere that said it was bad for CFS, and

stopped. However in the last year I was sleeping crappy again, and didn't

want to increase other medications. Actually the doctor cut me off ambien

also. So I started taking melatonin. Lately I have been reading nothing

but good things about it as an antioxidant. I take quite a bit, 9mg every

night. But it helps me sleep and I don't notice any side effects.

Thanks,

Doris

[Guest guest]

It seems to me I had some nightmares when I first started taking melatonin.

Maybe it is something that stops after a short time? Or maybe it is

different brands? I take klonopin, doxepin, and a large dose of melatonin

(9-12mg) but I finally sleep good.

Thanks,

Doris

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

From: " Vicky Gifford " <v.gifford@...>

> I have the same problems with Melatonin. I have terrible insomnia and

> am regularly usually awake until dawn. My Melatonin levels have also

> been tested as low. However, if I take even a tiny dose, I have

> terrible nightmares. Apparently this is a recognised side effect. I'd

> really love to find a way to be able to tolerate the Melatonin without

> the nightmares. Any ideas anyone?

>

[Guest guest]

Hi

I take 1mg klonopin. Sometimes it takes me a few minutes to shrug it off,

especially if I have to wake up at a certain time. If I can sleep as long

as I want and wake up when I want, then I feel good. Even when I have to

get up, I don't feel drugged, just like I am really tired and don't want to

get out of bed, and I'm dumber than usual until I have some caffeine. But

maybe 10-15 minutes before I am as " normal " as usual.

The problem of sleep is such a complex one I believe. Throughout my years

of illness my sleep varies so much. Sometimes for a couple months I sleep

terribly. Then for a couple weeks or months I sleep very good. But those

things I mentioned are the most helpful. I did like ambien in terms of

falling asleep, but doctor wouldn't give it to me anymore. So the melatonin

helps me fall asleep, and I also throw in a little valerian at the last

minute for good measure. I think I have noticed my sleep getting better

since I started B12 shots also. I have had more good months of sleep.

Thanks,

Doris

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

From: " Bob Harrington " <blue74730@...>

> It seems to me I had some nightmares when I first started taking

melatonin.

> Maybe it is something that stops after a short time? Or maybe it is

> different brands? I take klonopin, doxepin, and a large dose of melatonin

> (9-12mg) but I finally sleep good.

> Doris

>

>

> Doris, how much Klonopin do you take? do you wake up in the morning

feeling drugged?

>

> Bob

>

[Guest guest]

Dear Lori,

I couldn't read the whole article because of my e-mail system so I'm going

to try to order the article. I loved this article too! But it seemed very

bad to me to have melatonin. I don't think I would risk it. Do you want

it to help you sleep? Have you tried calcium at bedtime?

melatonin

<< File: ATT00016.htm; charset = ISO-8859-1 >>

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 6/10/03 4:36:57 AM Central Daylight Time,

writes:

> Just wondering if anyone has used melatonin to assist in getting

> their child to sleep. We have a very active 3 yr old who has

> difficulties settling down and falling asleep at night. It has been

> suggested to us that a low dose of melatonin may help. Has anyone

> used this hormone, what dosage, any problems, did it work?

>

> Thanks Shari

Shari

We have used melatonin for several years with our son . He simply can't

get settled down in the evening. It doesn't keep him asleep though so he still

wakes in the middle of the night. We only use 1 mg and he is 100 lbs. If you

are going to try it I suggest starting with a 1/4 of a mg or smaller if

possible. I found that if I use a higher dose then wakes groggy in the

a.m. We

haven't found any complications from the use of melatonin.

Karyn

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 6/10/03 4:36:57 AM Central Daylight Time,

writes:

> Just wondering if anyone has used melatonin to assist in getting

> their child to sleep. We have a very active 3 yr old who has

> difficulties settling down and falling asleep at night. It has been

> suggested to us that a low dose of melatonin may help. Has anyone

> used this hormone, what dosage, any problems, did it work?

>

> Thanks Shari

Shari

We have used melatonin for several years with our son . He simply can't

get settled down in the evening. It doesn't keep him asleep though so he still

wakes in the middle of the night. We only use 1 mg and he is 100 lbs. If you

are going to try it I suggest starting with a 1/4 of a mg or smaller if

possible. I found that if I use a higher dose then wakes groggy in the

a.m. We

haven't found any complications from the use of melatonin.

Karyn

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 12/14/03 9:58:48 PM Eastern Standard Time,

nopcname@... writes:

> Melatonin has for me and several others..gotten rid of the tenderness and

> soreness in breast if taken regularly

How much do you take and how often?

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 12/14/03 9:58:48 PM Eastern Standard Time,

nopcname@... writes:

> Melatonin has for me and several others..gotten rid of the tenderness and

> soreness in breast if taken regularly

How much do you take and how often?