melatonin

[Guest guest]

Hi Lynn,

when you say Fat supplements, do you mean Essential Fatty Acids??

Which brand do you use?

W

> blind children for sleep. I found the same

> thing you mention with it. It worked for a short time and then it

> pretty well assured he would wake in the middle of the night. The

> best thing I've ever found for sleep here has been the fat

> supplements. The first night he got them he slept 10 hours and has

> been pretty well since.

[Guest guest]

Yes, sorry I meant Essential Fatty Acids. I'm using proEFA right now

but I actually started him on Efalex. So both have given me the same

result in sleep. I'd hoped to gain speech back from them and I he did

at first.

Lynn

Austin 29 months LCA

> > blind children for sleep. I found the same

> > thing you mention with it. It worked for a short time and then it

> > pretty well assured he would wake in the middle of the night. The

> > best thing I've ever found for sleep here has been the fat

> > supplements. The first night he got them he slept 10 hours and

has

> > been pretty well since.

[Guest guest]

> Hello, I have a question on Melatonin, my daughter use to be on it,

> it seemed to work really well in the beginning, then all of a sudden

> it didnt seem to work well, she would fall asleep after taking the

> pill then she would wake up wide awake 3-4hrs later..

This is a common reaction for some kids. So you might want to

consider the EFA idea. You can also consider Clonidine, a blood

pressure medication which some parents use for sleep issues because it

has a side effect of making you drowsy. For my kids, sleep issues

were a function of phenols and yeast

http://www.autismchannel.net/dana/phenol.htm

http://www.autismchannel.net/dana/yeast.htm

Dana

[Guest guest]

yeah its a depressant, you gotta watch that.

thats why i recommend intermittant almost chaotic use of melatonin

it seems to last for a day or two even if you only take it once

its wonderful if you get the hang of it

but its not a complete answer so thats where u start

115 lbs and 1mg is the most i have ever taken, usually a lot less

> >and melatonin (every night).<

>

> I can't remember if you are the same parent that said your son

seems unhappy. I have read that melatonin can cause irritatability

the day after. Carlson

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

My childs DAN doctor has suggested melatonin. We were told we could actually

use much much (20mg) more than I have used. Sleep has ALWAYS been one of

our most difficult issues. It is subsiding some with all the interventions,

vitamins, enzymes, ALA. But some nights 10 - 13mg melatonin still don't do

it. Some nights she is fine on 5mg. I am wondering tho if she is becoming

immune to it? Anyone know if that is possible? Child is sooooooooo very

sensitive to drugs. Liver problems, convulsions, vomiting, blackouts, etc.

Horrible reactions & now I am so afraid of pharmacuticals to make her sleep.

Any other suggestions? Gaba also just makes her goofy but not sleep.

Michele

[Guest guest]

I think people have different reactions to melatonin. I took it only once and

had weird dreams all night. On top of that, I felt sick and drained the next

day. I decided it wasn't for me. Rose

[ ] Melatonin

>and melatonin (every night).<

I can't remember if you are the same parent that said your son seems unhappy.

I have read that melatonin can cause irritatability the day after. Carlson

[Guest guest]

Hi, several people replied that the melatonin my son takes may cause

depression. My problem is that he doesn't sleep without it. Does

anyone have a suggestion as to what to use as an alternative? My

child has been on melatonin for three and a half years and it has

been a miracle for us. I know it has anti-oxidant properties and I

also read about some people are treating their Crohn's Disease with

it successfully, so I hoped it may have some gut healing properties

as well. But the main reason we use it is, of course, the sleep

inducing properties. Any ideas would be welcome. Thanks. Lori

> >and melatonin (every night).<

>

> I can't remember if you are the same parent that said your son

seems unhappy. I have read that melatonin can cause irritatability

the day after. Carlson

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

no fenol and melatonin are a good combination since the no fenol

tends to enervate and the melatonin knocks this back a bit.

no fenol also helps with sleep a bit but somewhat chaotically

the thing with melatonin is you have to buy some sleepless nights so

you can keep the dose low

trytptophan is supposed to help with sleep but i have no expereince

with this, however i do hear people occasiaonlly say that tryptophan

should be alternated with melatonin or something like that

> > >and melatonin (every night).<

> >

> > I can't remember if you are the same parent that said your son

> seems unhappy. I have read that melatonin can cause irritatability

> the day after. Carlson

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

Hi, thanks for your input - I always find your posts interesting and

intelligent. I have a quick question. My son drinks watered down

lemonaide or limeaide throughout the day. He will eat a whole lime

or lemon if you leave it around (not the peel). I have been thinking

perhaps he has low stomach acid. Do you think it might be

beneficial to put a tiny pinch of No-Fenol in each glass? Just an

idea I had. Thanks, Lori

> no fenol and melatonin are a good combination since the no fenol

> tends to enervate and the melatonin knocks this back a bit.

>

> no fenol also helps with sleep a bit but somewhat chaotically

>

> the thing with melatonin is you have to buy some sleepless nights

so

> you can keep the dose low

>

> trytptophan is supposed to help with sleep but i have no

expereince

> with this, however i do hear people occasiaonlly say that

tryptophan

> should be alternated with melatonin or something like that

>

> --- In @y..., " lorlaw2002 " <loriwallace@s...> > >

>

> > >

[Guest guest]

> Hi, several people replied that the melatonin my son takes may cause

> depression. My problem is that he doesn't sleep without it. Does

> anyone have a suggestion as to what to use as an alternative?

Phenols and yeast can cause sleep problems

http://www.autismchannel.net/dana/phenol.htm

http://www.autismchannel.net/dana/yeast.htm

My kids still don't sleep, even after phenol and yeast things are

considered, if they eat nitrites/nitrates or artificial

colors/flavors. This is also not helped with No-Fenol enzyme. So you

might want to consider removing these things, and any P5P vitamin

supplement you might be using, and see if that helps.

Dana

[Guest guest]

I was a bit worried about using a hormone, so I looked for an

alternative, too. We didn't have problems falling asleep, but

staying asleep due to seizure activity. GABA has really helped and

works as well for my daughter, if not better than Melatonin.--D

> > >and melatonin (every night).<

> >

> > I can't remember if you are the same parent that said your son

> seems unhappy. I have read that melatonin can cause irritatability

> the day after. Carlson

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

Here is my suggestion: you may want to give him one or two tea bags

steeped, of passion flower tea. We use Alvita brand for my son.

There is also a tea called Sleepytime by Celestial Seasonings that

works pretty good. Sometimes I add 5 HTP to any of these teas. Most

of the time, I use all of these together to get my son to sleep and

to help reduce his nervousness. For myself, I take Sleepytime as

needed. The passion flower is too strong for me; it is really

powerful. Rose

> Hi, several people replied that the melatonin my son takes may

cause

> depression. My problem is that he doesn't sleep without it. Does

> anyone have a suggestion as to what to use as an alternative? My

> child has been on melatonin for three and a half years and it has

> been a miracle for us. I know it has anti-oxidant properties and I

> also read about some people are treating their Crohn's Disease with

> it successfully, so I hoped it may have some gut healing properties

> as well. But the main reason we use it is, of course, the sleep

> inducing properties. Any ideas would be welcome. Thanks. Lori

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi,

Saw your posting about melatonin. My daughter gets grouchy and irritable

the next day when we have to resort to it and we only use 200 mcg. I just

started chamomile and as she's 13 and can swallow pills, I got her the

capsule form from Nature's Way. The health food store has it in homeopathic

form that you can put a few drops right under your son's tongue if he can't

swallow pills. I have been assured by everyone that it is one of the safest

herbs to give to a child. I'll let you know how it works with my daughter.

[Guest guest]

Melatonin.....you can get it at the health food store.....some you can just

stick under the tongue and it dissolves....some come in capsule form and you

can empty the powder in juice and drink it......start with 1 mg. It will

almost definitely have your child fall to sleep, but see if 1 mg will keep

him asleep all night long....if not, try more than 1 mg.....but 1mg is a lot.

Good luck.

Anne

[Guest guest]

My daughter's sleep specialist actually recommended starting with 1/2 of a 1 mg.

tablet. You can always increase it over time if you need to but why take more

than needed? You can get it at pharmacies or even at Target and Wal-Mart

anymore. I personally would pursue taking your child to a specialist to see if

they can help and oversee the whole process. Your pediatrician should be able

to refer you somewhere.

Good luck,

Tammy (who's daughter didn't sleep through the night until she was 4 years old!)

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 12/16/02 4:31:25 AM Eastern Standard Time,

writes:

> Melatonin has worked for my son.

We've been using melatonin for a few years now. We were to the point of

seeking some sort of med to help him with sleep when I found out about the

stuff. It has been a lifesaver. We recently moved and I ran out of melatonin

right after, and have not been able to find it anywhere around me (he uses

the liquid), so have not been giving it. I finally ordered it on line and am

waiting for it to come....and just in time because my son is now staying up

the entire night. It is 6am and he has still not gone to sleep. Yesterday he

only had about 5 hours of sleep (finally fell asleep at about 4am), yet here

he is up. His eyes are red and he has bags, but he can't shut down. He has

been working his way up to this point and it brings back lots of memories

from when he was little. He obviously needs the melatonin, and it's obvious

the effects do last when not taking it every day because it's taken a month

to get back to this point of not sleeping.

[Guest guest]

Hi Jaine

Its not OTC in UK but you can buy from US, I use Kirkman brand

www.kirkmanlabs.com. Its a Consultant only prescription also, its cheaper and

quicker to buy:)

HTH

Mandi in Uk

> Hi all,

>

> I am trying to find melatonin for my 11yr nocturnal nt son and have been

> told at the health food shop I can not get it in the UK. Is there a web

> site

> I could order it from?

>

> Many thanks,

> Jaine.

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Janine,

I don't know if you can get 5HTP in the UK, but if so, we've been

able to drop the melatonin (first time in 2 yrs!) with the addition

of 5HTP. Tom weighs around 55 lbs. and gets 25mg. 5HTP with his

morning supps and again with his dinner supps.

The morning dose doesn't make him at all sleepy, and actually the

dinner dose doesn't either. But apparently his body is converting

the 5HTP into melatonin at the apporpriate time because he is

*finally* falling off to sleep on his own. I'm so thrilled that this

is a conversion that Tom's body is actually making correctly :-).

HTH.

Peace and grace,

Sally, mom to

Tom, 8yo dx AS but on the road to recovery

Ben, 6yo NT by the grace of God

Gracie, 2yo NT and unvaccinated

> Hi Jaine

> Its not OTC in UK but you can buy from US, I use Kirkman brand

> www.kirkmanlabs.com. Its a Consultant only prescription also, its

cheaper and

> quicker to buy:)

> HTH

> Mandi in Uk

>

> > Hi all,

> >

> > I am trying to find melatonin for my 11yr nocturnal nt son and

have been

> > told at the health food shop I can not get it in the UK. Is

there a web

> > site

> > I could order it from?

> >

> > Many thanks,

> > Jaine.

> >

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

HI All,

I am new to this list but I have some experience to share! Regarding

Melatonin: my son was on it for 6 years (six years of blissful sleep I

got!!!) before I heard current research has found it delays puberty. I would

strongly suggest, not using it every day.

Just my two cents worth.

Looking forward to getting to know you all!

in Oregon

[Guest guest]

yes yes yes!!

We swear by it! My precious baby slept through the night every night from

age 1 WEEK!!! But the spring after his 5th birthday things went downhill

fast. There were several sleepless nights --every night. Then we found

Melatonin! We use the liquid as well --from GNC. I give him half the adult

dose. We have been using it for over 1 year now. And only very rarely was

he wound up enough to plow right through its effects.

Maybe I can think of 5 times where it didn't work, and we use it every night

However, the bummer part is it does wonders to get someone to fall asleep,

but it does not keep them asleep. I just gave up and let Gavin sleep in my

bed. Other wise he wakes up once or twice a night and starts screaming and

pounding on his door. When that happens it is too late --he is awake and

you can't give him more melatonin. (I have tried, it just doesn't seem to

work a second time in one night)

So things were pretty bad here. We were definitely a case study in sleep

depravation. Now things are much nicer. He gets it and he is asleep in 30

min.

jenny

-- [ ] Melatonin

Our Pediatric Developmental Specialist (non-DAN) reccomended we give

our son Melatonin in small quantities to help him sleep. Currently he

doesn't go to be until 11:30-1:30 (we have to rock him, he won't fall

asleep on his own), and same issues with a nap. If he doesn't take

his nap until 4:00 p.m., we are up to 2-3 in the morning before we can

get him to sleep.

We found a liquid version at GNC and tried it last night. The doctor

reccomended .5 MG (about .2 ML) at first. Within the hour he did fall

asleep on his own (half on the couch, half off). Has anyone had long

term sucess or failure with this?

Thanks.

[Guest guest]

,

I will try to find some web links to send you...this was something

Edelson said while he was here in Eugene a few months ago. It is also

something many naturpaths have confirmed. If there is even the slightest

possibility, I think we need to reconsider.

[Guest guest]

> However, the bummer part is it does wonders to get someone to fall

asleep,

> but it does not keep them asleep. I just gave up and let Gavin

sleep in my

> bed. Other wise he wakes up once or twice a night and starts

screaming and

> pounding on his door. When that happens it is too late --he is

awake and

> you can't give him more melatonin. (I have tried, it just doesn't

seem to

> work a second time in one night)

You might give time release melatonin a try. It didn't work for

me when I was having wake-in-middle-of-night problems for a while

recently, but I understand it really dose the trick for some.

best,

Moria

[Guest guest]

It makes sense, since melatonin is a hormone. I have also heard that it

causes nightmares, from autistic adults. We do use it every night, out of

desperation for sleep, but I don't feel good about using it at all. All of

the bottles say not to use it on children, probably for this reason.

> ,

>

> I will try to find some web links to send you...this was something

>

> Edelson said while he was here in Eugene a few months ago. It is also

> something many naturpaths have confirmed. If there is even the slightest

> possibility, I think we need to reconsider.

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Theresa, Could you direct me to the research or did you just hear about it?

Thanks,

Waterkai@... wrote:HI All,

I am new to this list but I have some experience to share! Regarding

Melatonin: my son was on it for 6 years (six years of blissful sleep I

got!!!) before I heard current research has found it delays puberty. I would

strongly suggest, not using it every day.

Just my two cents worth.

Looking forward to getting to know you all!

in Oregon

[Guest guest]

I didn't know they made a SR version of Melatonin. Is it only in pill form?

Gavin doesn't eat, let alone swallow pills!! That is why we give the

liquid.

thanks!

jenny

-- [ ] Re: Melatonin

> However, the bummer part is it does wonders to get someone to fall

asleep,

> but it does not keep them asleep. I just gave up and let Gavin

sleep in my

> bed. Other wise he wakes up once or twice a night and starts

screaming and

> pounding on his door. When that happens it is too late --he is

awake and

> you can't give him more melatonin. (I have tried, it just doesn't

seem to

> work a second time in one night)

You might give time release melatonin a try. It didn't work for

me when I was having wake-in-middle-of-night problems for a while

recently, but I understand it really dose the trick for some.

best,

Moria