Guest guest Posted October 18, 2004 Report Share Posted October 18, 2004 I use Melatonin for both of my kids when needed. I use the Kirkman's 1 mg tablet (tastes like mint) and it will get them to sleep within 30-45 mins. They just start getting very sleepy. I had a very difficult time using this and resisted for a good while, but became quite sleep deprived myself. Kirkman also makes a timed-release melatonin. Sometimes kids will wake up after about 4 hours or so and this is when the timed-release may work better. I have found that when I use melatonin for , his sleep is more fitful, so don't use it much anymore for him. I used it mainly to get them in the habit of being sleepy at a decent time and it seems to have worked in 's case. (my typical child) is another story. Another way to help is to give a cal/mag supplement at bedtime. This helps with sleep as well. Good luck and hope you get some sleep soon! Jane Mama to 7 (ASD) and 4 (NT- with gut issues) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 18, 2004 Report Share Posted October 18, 2004 Lou, I have heard a lot of good things about melatonin. My mom and sister have both used it, and it worked well for them. My sister has used it occassionally sinces she was about 8. Make sure you check with his dr though, because most of the ones you get at the store are formulated for adults, and the dosage would need to be adjusted. Also, there are different brands, and they may contain different flavoring etc that could also affect him. I do think it is worth a shot. It can help all of you sleep more, and will probably help him focus more during the day too. I'm sorry to hear your daughter is not well. I hope she recovers quickly. I'll be thinking of her. Amnesty > Would like to hear first hand experience from parents whose children with > autism have used melatonin as a sleep aid. Our son is 9 and my husband and I > always just " tag teamed " it staying up late and waking off and on through the > night with him when he had sleep problems (basically 5 out of 7 days each week). > Unfortunately, one of our " normal " kids has been having problems with asthma > resulting in some hospital visits and we are all beginning to experience some > SERIOUS sleep deprivation. Anyway - we have been looking into melatonin > since it is a more natural sleep aid, but wanted some actual stories of success or > failure. Also dosages, etc. would be very helpful. > > > Thanks so much!! > > LOU Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 18, 2004 Report Share Posted October 18, 2004 My daughter was placed on Melatonin by her M.D. at the Marcus Institute, and it has been WONDERFUL! She is 3 years,4 months, and has been taking it for almost a year. We purchase ours from the Dollar General Store, and it is only $2.00 per bottle! She can take 2-3 pills, as needed. Some nights, I only give her one pill, if she is already tiring out. She doesn't swallow meds, yet, so I dissolve the pills in her apple juice. They are tasteless, and odorless. The juice tends to be a bit chalky, though, with three pills, and she doesn't drink as much, so I rarely give her three of them. For a child who fights sleep, but sleeps well once he/she is asleep, Melatonin is ideal. Rome, Georgia > Would like to hear first hand experience from parents whose children with autism have used melatonin as a sleep aid. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 18, 2004 Report Share Posted October 18, 2004 Lou: Melatonin has helped my 6 year old autistic son get to sleep. He weighs about 47 pounds, and we use 1 mg, but check with your son's doctor about the correct dose for him. It helps get the child to sleep, but it does not keep the asleep, unfortunately. Our doctor cautioned us about using it in the middle of the night, or the child will feel " hung over " . She suggested Evening Primrose Oil for night waking. It did nothing for my son, but might help yours. The calcium/magnesium supplement does help our son when he wakes in the middle of the night. Also, he has been sleeping better as we have progressed with the DAN Protocol, under the guidance of a doctor, so that his gastrointestinal system is better. He is still waking once a night, usually about 3:00 a.m., and is up for an hour to an hour and 1/2, but that is better than it used to be. melatonin Would like to hear first hand experience from parents whose children with autism have used melatonin as a sleep aid. Our son is 9 and my husband and I always just " tag teamed " it staying up late and waking off and on through the night with him when he had sleep problems (basically 5 out of 7 days each week). Unfortunately, one of our " normal " kids has been having problems with asthma resulting in some hospital visits and we are all beginning to experience some SERIOUS sleep deprivation. Anyway - we have been looking into melatonin since it is a more natural sleep aid, but wanted some actual stories of success or failure. Also dosages, etc. would be very helpful. Thanks so much!! LOU Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 18, 2004 Report Share Posted October 18, 2004 Lou: Melatonin has helped my five-year old autistic son, Cole, sleep and stay asleep. Before melatonin, he had no trouble going to sleep, routines and all, but staying asleep was a different matter entirely. We have been using melatonin for over two years. He weighs about 40 pounds, and we give him one mg capsule dissolved in his evening cup. It works wonders for him! However, we noticed a big difference even after being on melatonin for a while once we got rid of the overgrowth of yeast in his system. Best of luck! Tina Goodroe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 18, 2004 Report Share Posted October 18, 2004 Hi We use melatonin with good results with our 14 year old with AS ADHD. Our Neurologist Dr Bunch told us to give him 4mg at bed time. We use it along with .01mg of Clonidine. Be Blessed Theresa Kirkland melatonin Would like to hear first hand experience from parents whose children with autism have used melatonin as a sleep aid. Our son is 9 and my husband and I always just "tag teamed" it staying up late and waking off and on through the night with him when he had sleep problems (basically 5 out of 7 days each week). Unfortunately, one of our "normal" kids has been having problems with asthma resulting in some hospital visits and we are all beginning to experience some SERIOUS sleep deprivation. Anyway - we have been looking into melatonin since it is a more natural sleep aid, but wanted some actual stories of success or failure. Also dosages, etc. would be very helpful. Thanks so much!! LOU Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 19, 2004 Report Share Posted October 19, 2004 We used melatonin for years with absolutely no side effects. My endocrinologist suggested it. It last for 4 hrs and can be given in the middle of the night if the child has 4 more hours to sleep. Sharon > Hi > We use melatonin with good results with our 14 year old with AS ADHD. Our Neurologist Dr Bunch told us to give him 4mg at bed time. We use it along with .01mg of Clonidine. > > Be Blessed > Theresa Kirkland > > melatonin > > > Would like to hear first hand experience from parents whose children with autism have used melatonin as a sleep aid. Our son is 9 and my husband and I always just " tag teamed " it staying up late and waking off and on through the night with him when he had sleep problems (basically 5 out of 7 days each week). Unfortunately, one of our " normal " kids has been having problems with asthma resulting in some hospital visits and we are all beginning to experience some SERIOUS sleep deprivation. Anyway - we have been looking into melatonin since it is a more natural sleep aid, but wanted some actual stories of success or failure. Also dosages, etc. would be very helpful. > > > Thanks so much!! > > LOU > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 27, 2005 Report Share Posted January 27, 2005 We use Melatonin with good effect. until recently we used Kirkman caps (with Mag)and it seemed not to be working after several years, now I crush a Soure Naturals tab which is the only one that works for me. Not all melatonin is equal, at least its reasonably cheap to try out. My NT boys occasionally use the Kikrman chewable which works well to get them back ina god routine. HTHMandi in UK Anyone supp with Melatonin, and/or tryp/Serotonin? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 28, 2005 Report Share Posted January 28, 2005 Hi Lorene, We have been using melatonin for years now with Jack (8) and I can safely say it is the only supplement which we have noticed makes a difference so far. Despite being on Gaba and taurine and having tried 5 HTP Jack seems to have a serious tryptophan to serotonin conversion problem so cutting out the middle man and going straight for the melatonin works for him. We do use a fairly high dose - 3mg which is Twinlabs and I get it from NEEDS in the U.S - you can't get it over here as far as I know. Melatonin Anyone supp with Melatonin, and/or tryp/Serotonin?Lorene Biol Psychiatry. 2005 Jan 15;57(2):134-8. Nocturnal excretion of 6-sulphatoxymelatonin in children and adolescents with autistic disorder. Tordjman S, GM, Pichard N, Charbuy H, Touitou Y. Center for Scientific Research, Unite de Recherche Mixte 7593, Vurnerabilite, Adaptation et Psychopathologie, Hopital Pitie- Salpetriere, Centre Hospitalier Guillaume Regnier, Faculte de Medecine Universite de Rennes 1. BACKGROUND: Many studies in autistic disorder report sleep problems and altered circadian rhythms, suggesting abnormalities in melatonin physiology. Additionally, melatonin, a pineal gland hormone produced from serotonin, is of special interest in autistic disorder given reported alterations in central and peripheral serotonin neurobiology. METHODS: Nocturnal urinary excretion of 6- sulphatoxymelatonin was measured by radioimmunoassay in groups of children and adolescents with autistic disorder (n = 49) and normal control individuals (n = 88) matched on age, sex, and Tanner stage of puberty. RESULTS: Nocturnal 6-sulphatoxymelatonin excretion rate was significantly and substantially lower in patients with autism than in normal controls (mean +/- SEM, .75 +/- .11 vs. 1.80 +/- .17 mug/hr, p =.0001), and was significantly negatively correlated with severity of autistic impairments in verbal communication and play (p < .05). CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate clearly that nocturnal production of melatonin is reduced in autism. Further research is warranted in order to understand the mechanisms underlying the lower melatonin production, to assess the impact of altered melatonin on the pathophysiology and behavioral expression of autistic disorder, and to determine the utility of melatonin administration in individuals with autism. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 23, 2005 Report Share Posted March 23, 2005 Debbie, we have tried Melatonin, but it didn't help that much. Right now we are using .5 Clonadine and .25 Zanax and that has helped better than anything ever has for both sleep and aggression. Generally nothing works for very long, and every thing has potential side affects. These kids just seem to have cycles of sleeping and not sleeping. Pat K Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 23, 2005 Report Share Posted March 23, 2005 Hello. I am new to this group. I have a 12 year old son with autism and very difficult behaviors. We use 2 mg. of Melatonin every night to get him to sleep. He falls asleep within 30 minutes and sleeps through the night. He is not groggy in the mornings either. Vicki King From: debbie_warwick [mailto:debwarwick@...] Sent: Wednesday, March 23, 2005 12:33 AM To: autism Subject: Melatonin Hello - Has anyone ever tried melatonin to help with sleep issues at night? My 7 year old son has been waking up around 3:30/4:00a on a more consistent basis than usual and it seems to have a direct connection with how he does at school the next day. He seems to have more aggressions or he just wants to lay his head down on the desk and not work. He has been so " off " these last few days - really aggresive at school, which is very difficult for me to handle, and I'm just trying to figure out how to help him. Since he is non-verbal, I know that he could be in pain or just not feeling well and this might be his way trying to tell me...I'm not sure. Thanks, Debbie -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. Version: 7.0.308 / Virus Database: 266.8.0 - Release Date: 3/21/2005 -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. Version: 7.0.308 / Virus Database: 266.8.0 - Release Date: 3/21/2005 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 23, 2005 Report Share Posted March 23, 2005 I personally have not yet resorted to melatonin for my daughter's occasional night wakings, but i did read extensively on a couple of other boards that it does not always help with night wakings, obviously every child is different though, and every child will react differently...i suppose it wouldn't hurt to try it and see his reaction. What i have done, however, to reduce night wakings (Grace has NO trouble actually falling asleep thankfully) is use a sound machine to block out the occasional horn honk, dog bark, car door slam, etc. that might encourage such an early waking, and i also stop tv exposure after 5pm, we play quietly or color, do puzzles or read together after dinner. I think the tv/videos might stimulate or offer scripting encouragement so i ditched it after a certain time and that seems to make a difference as well. Good luck and let us know what you decide and how it works out for you. Carla > > Hello - > > Has anyone ever tried melatonin to help with sleep issues at night? > My 7 year old son has been waking up around 3:30/4:00a on a more > consistent basis than usual and it seems to have a direct connection > with how he does at school the next day. He seems to have more > aggressions or he just wants to lay his head down on the desk and not > work. > > He has been so " off " these last few days - really aggresive at > school, which is very difficult for me to handle, and I'm just trying > to figure out how to help him. Since he is non-verbal, I know that > he could be in pain or just not feeling well and this might be his > way trying to tell me...I'm not sure. > > Thanks, > Debbie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 24, 2005 Report Share Posted March 24, 2005 Vicki, how long has the Melatonin been working for you? Pat K Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 24, 2005 Report Share Posted March 24, 2005 Pat, has been on the Melatonin for 6 months now. It is still working well with no side effects that I can see Vicki. From: pkuenstler@... [mailto:pkuenstler@...] Sent: Thursday, March 24, 2005 7:15 AM autism Subject: Re: Melatonin Vicki, how long has the Melatonin been working for you? Pat K -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. Version: 7.0.308 / Virus Database: 266.8.0 - Release Date: 3/21/2005 -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. Version: 7.0.308 / Virus Database: 266.8.0 - Release Date: 3/21/2005 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 24, 2005 Report Share Posted March 24, 2005 Debbie I have used it with my son for years and it has made a big difference on how much he sleeps. My dr. told me that if it works to keep using it, it won't hurt him. My son use's 3mg. a night. he is 11 years old 5 ' 120 lbs. I use to use only 1 mg. but I like 3mg better. Good luck I hope you try it and it works for him Jeanne > > Hello - > > Has anyone ever tried melatonin to help with sleep issues at night? > My 7 year old son has been waking up around 3:30/4:00a on a more > consistent basis than usual and it seems to have a direct connection > with how he does at school the next day. He seems to have more > aggressions or he just wants to lay his head down on the desk and not > work. > > He has been so " off " these last few days - really aggresive at > school, which is very difficult for me to handle, and I'm just trying > to figure out how to help him. Since he is non-verbal, I know that > he could be in pain or just not feeling well and this might be his > way trying to tell me...I'm not sure. > > Thanks, > Debbie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 25, 2005 Report Share Posted March 25, 2005 That's great. I'll try it again. Pat K Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 25, 2005 Report Share Posted March 25, 2005 Jeanne, your son is the same size as karac. I'm encouraged that the Melatonin is working for him. Pat K Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 25, 2005 Report Share Posted March 25, 2005 My son is 125 pounds and it works for him at 2 mg every night. Vicki From: pkuenstler@... [mailto:pkuenstler@...] Sent: Friday, March 25, 2005 7:49 AM autism Subject: Re: Re: Melatonin Jeanne, your son is the same size as karac. I'm encouraged that the Melatonin is working for him. Pat K -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. Version: 7.0.308 / Virus Database: 266.8.0 - Release Date: 3/21/2005 -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. Version: 7.0.308 / Virus Database: 266.8.0 - Release Date: 3/21/2005 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 25, 2005 Report Share Posted March 25, 2005 My son is 125 pounds and it works for him at 2 mg every night. Vicki From: pkuenstler@... [mailto:pkuenstler@...] Sent: Friday, March 25, 2005 7:49 AM autism Subject: Re: Re: Melatonin Jeanne, your son is the same size as karac. I'm encouraged that the Melatonin is working for him. Pat K -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. Version: 7.0.308 / Virus Database: 266.8.0 - Release Date: 3/21/2005 -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. Version: 7.0.308 / Virus Database: 266.8.0 - Release Date: 3/21/2005 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 25, 2005 Report Share Posted March 25, 2005 Wow, I didn't know so many people were having such good luck with Melatonin! That's great, Pat K Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 31, 2005 Report Share Posted May 31, 2005 Betty, Being in the sun helps produce melatonin. But that may not be the only problem causing your husband not to sleep. Betty, this group is about candida; does your husband have candida? Bee > Is there anything one can do to help produce melatonin? Like what foods to > eat? My husband is still not sleeping well. He wakes about the same time > every night and then sleeps all evening. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 31, 2005 Report Share Posted May 31, 2005 I believe he does have candida. He is in the sun or is in a vehicle many hours a day. Betty [ ] Re: melatonin Betty, Being in the sun helps produce melatonin. But that may not be the only problem causing your husband not to sleep. Betty, this group is about candida; does your husband have candida? Bee > Is there anything one can do to help produce melatonin? Like what foods to > eat? My husband is still not sleeping well. He wakes about the same time > every night and then sleeps all evening. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 16, 2005 Report Share Posted August 16, 2005 Hi Jill! We use Melatonin for Caleb our 10 year old who has ADHD. It ha seemed to help him get to sleep easier. I give him 1mg when he is really having a hard time sleeping. I don't use it every night as I am afraid he could get used to it and then we would be back to square one. I questioned my ped about it and she said it was perfectly safe to use. As a matter of fact she said to me " My son has ADHD also, why didn't I think of using melatonin for him, I think I am going to get some for him also " Too funny!! Anyway i hope it helps. I would try disguising the pill in a spoon of ice cream or yogurt. Maybe you could crush it first so it isn't detectable as a " lump " in the spoon of whatever. Hope this helps. Loree Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 16, 2005 Report Share Posted August 16, 2005 Hi Jill! We use Melatonin for Caleb our 10 year old who has ADHD. It ha seemed to help him get to sleep easier. I give him 1mg when he is really having a hard time sleeping. I don't use it every night as I am afraid he could get used to it and then we would be back to square one. I questioned my ped about it and she said it was perfectly safe to use. As a matter of fact she said to me " My son has ADHD also, why didn't I think of using melatonin for him, I think I am going to get some for him also " Too funny!! Anyway i hope it helps. I would try disguising the pill in a spoon of ice cream or yogurt. Maybe you could crush it first so it isn't detectable as a " lump " in the spoon of whatever. Hope this helps. Loree Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 16, 2005 Report Share Posted August 16, 2005 Jill, has Mac had a recent sleep study? Just curious. ---- Jill <thrill@...> wrote: > <html><body> > > > <tt> > Have any of you used Melatonin to help your child with sleep issues? & nbsp; If so, would you please share how it worked for you child, how much you gave him/her, when you gave it to him/her, how you gave it (Mac won't/can't swallow a pill), etc... & nbsp; Mac has developed some bad sleeping habits--I've been putting him in bed by 9:00 for the past 2 weeks and he's up by 8:00 every am, but he'll still be happily awake at 10:30-11:30 every night. & nbsp; I was thinking of trying Melatonin just to get him back in the habit of falling asleep earlier. & nbsp; Any thoughts?<BR> > <BR> > Jill<BR> > Mom to Mac & amp; Kit<BR> > <BR> > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.