Guest guest Posted May 28, 2008 Report Share Posted May 28, 2008 HI BJ, I just came from the psychiatrist and inquired about melatonin rather than clonidine for my dd (11) for sleep. He told me to give her the 3mg capsule one hour before I want her to go to sleep.She also takes zoloft. Hugs Judy Melatonin Has anyone else had Melatonin stop working after a while? It seemed to help Josh for some time, but lately it's not working as well. Bummed, because it was nice to have something working for a bit. I'm considering upping the amount, since he was only taking 1 mg, but not sure what is considered a safe therapeutic amount with SSRIs. BJ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 28, 2008 Report Share Posted May 28, 2008 Thanks for the info, Judy. I hope the increase will help him. The bottle said to take up to 3 mg, but I wasn't sure about that dosage with other meds, so I'm sure glad you shared that. Has your daughter taken it before? It sure seemed to work better than the Benadryl Josh used to take. How is your son doing? Better, I hope. Hugs, BJ > > HI BJ, > I just came from the psychiatrist and inquired about melatonin rather than clonidine for my dd (11) for sleep. He told me to give her the 3mg capsule one hour before I want her to go to sleep.She also takes zoloft. > Hugs > Judy > > > > Melatonin > > > Has anyone else had Melatonin stop working after a while? It seemed > to help Josh for some time, but lately it's not working as well. > Bummed, because it was nice to have something working for a bit. I'm > considering upping the amount, since he was only taking 1 mg, but not > sure what is considered a safe therapeutic amount with SSRIs. > > > BJ > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 29, 2008 Report Share Posted May 29, 2008 I hate to chime in and contradict anything, but I've had various answers from " professionals " about melatonin through my 5 yrs. here of insomnia. One specialist I went to said to take no more than 1 mg. because more isn't better. (3 mgs. wouldnt' be harmful, just too much hangover the next day and interferes with the next night's rest). I've also had a psychologist " sleep expert " tell me to take 3 mgs. of time released. I've seen 4 sleep specialists and done everything they've wanted me to do except the sun lamp for an hour each morning (get real!) and I still have insomnia. I think it's like OCD. Not understood and in about 50 yrs. we will look back and see all the progress science has made in brain chemistry issues. So, my answer is: I don't know! Try it and see, I guess. Take care, Dina Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 29, 2008 Report Share Posted May 29, 2008 I appreciate the info, Dina. Don't want to cause hangover feelings. <sigh> Did he/she say why time released? Sorry you are struggling with it yourself. You must be so frustrated that nothing has worked. Thanks, BJ > > I hate to chime in and contradict anything, but I've had various answers > from " professionals " about melatonin through my 5 yrs. here of > insomnia. One specialist I went to said to take no more than 1 mg. > because more isn't better. (3 mgs. wouldnt' be harmful, just too much > hangover the next day and interferes with the next night's rest). I've > also had a psychologist " sleep expert " tell me to take 3 mgs. of time > released. I've seen 4 sleep specialists and done everything they've > wanted me to do except the sun lamp for an hour each morning (get real!) > and I still have insomnia. I think it's like OCD. Not understood and > in about 50 yrs. we will look back and see all the progress science has > made in brain chemistry issues. > > So, my answer is: I don't know! Try it and see, I guess. > Take care, > Dina > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 30, 2008 Report Share Posted May 30, 2008 Once again, I think every doctor says something different. Of course each child is different. I have also noticed that different books and different websites say different things. My daughter has only been on Melatonin for 2 nights-3mg. The first night it worked like a charm and last night she fell asleep but was up from 1:30 am till 4:30am. I was told it's not strong enough for some people and I think my dd is one of them, especially after being on so many sleep meds for 6 years. I guess I'll give her till Monday and if she still can't sleep, I'll call the doctor back. (sigh) Hugs judy Re: Melatonin I hate to chime in and contradict anything, but I've had various answers from " professionals " about melatonin through my 5 yrs. here of insomnia. One specialist I went to said to take no more than 1 mg. because more isn't better. (3 mgs. wouldnt' be harmful, just too much hangover the next day and interferes with the next night's rest). I've also had a psychologist " sleep expert " tell me to take 3 mgs. of time released. I've seen 4 sleep specialists and done everything they've wanted me to do except the sun lamp for an hour each morning (get real!) and I still have insomnia. I think it's like OCD. Not understood and in about 50 yrs. we will look back and see all the progress science has made in brain chemistry issues. So, my answer is: I don't know! Try it and see, I guess. Take care, Dina Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 30, 2008 Report Share Posted May 30, 2008 svdbyhislove wrote: > > I appreciate the info, Dina. Don't want to cause hangover feelings. > <sigh> Did he/she say why time released? > > So it's effective throughout the night and not just at sleep onset. > I'm doing okay. I sleep fine with meds like Lunesta or Klonopin, but > I really don't like being on them. I'm sure it's an anxiety related > issue, but I never had problems sleeping until I was 35. Weird. > > Dina > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 30, 2008 Report Share Posted May 30, 2008 ******** I'm sure it's an anxiety related issue, but I never had problems sleeping until I was 35. Weird. ******** Oh, I have had trouble sleeping since I was about 35, too. But it has nothing to do with stress . . . is totally hormone related. I keep thinking sleep should come easier now that I'm 47 and 18 months out from my last period. I'm still waiting, though . . . Beth <yaaaawn> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 2, 2009 Report Share Posted January 2, 2009 We have 4 yo twin girls diagnosed with autism this summer. One is a great sleeper and the other....not so much. We have a good routine for getting her to sleep but she can't stay asleep. Sometimes she will sleep through the night but many nights she is up at 1 or 2 am for an hour or two. She doesn't wander the house, she wakes up and talks / sings / laughs / yells / jumps in her bed / etc... Luckily her sister (who shares her room) can sleep through it - her Dad and I can't! We have been thinking about trying melatonin but have heard that it only helps with falling asleep and has no impact on staying asleep. What experience have others had with melatonin? Any other ideas? Thanks!! Andi Cobb County Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 2, 2009 Report Share Posted January 2, 2009 Andi: It's true that it helps with falling asleep, but I would give it to her when she gets up at 1 or 2. That's OK. It takes about 30 minutes to work, usually. Also, we have found that combating yeast overgrowth is a "biggie" for our son's sleep issues. We give him Olive Leaf Extract in a pill each day (in applesauce), and that has helped with yeast, which has helped with sleep. Re: Melatonin We have 4 yo twin girls diagnosed with autism this summer. One is a great sleeper and the other....not so much. We have a good routine for getting her to sleep but she can't stay asleep. Sometimes she will sleep through the night but many nights she is up at 1 or 2 am for an hour or two. She doesn't wander the house, she wakes up and talks / sings / laughs / yells / jumps in her bed / etc... Luckily her sister (who shares her room) can sleep through it - her Dad and I can't! We have been thinking about trying melatonin but have heard that it only helps with falling asleep and has no impact on staying asleep. What experience have others had with melatonin? Any other ideas? Thanks!! Andi Cobb County Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 2, 2009 Report Share Posted January 2, 2009 I wish I could say I had ideas, but I really dont. My daughter tried huge amounts of M but it did nothing. Even small amounts of clonidine did not work when prescribed by the doc. We ended up using larger doses and it worked - she really sleeps all night now. I was so excited. I know a lot of people are against prescriptions but it has dramatically changed our lives- I get to sleep now knowing she is sleeping. Also she does better in school and is calmer all day- the doc said this would work. While I dont like the prescription it works. And our doc said she may grow out of the need for the meds and be able to self regulate after a while. Wanted to post our experiences. Hope it helps and wishing you some rest! Mindy Melinda -Pace Muscogee County Navigator Team Parent of 3 wonderful kids, two with awe-tism! Wife of an amazing husband! Subject: Re: MelatoninTo: autism-georgia Date: Friday, January 2, 2009, 8:25 AM We have 4 yo twin girls diagnosed with autism this summer. One is a great sleeper and the other....not so much. We have a good routine for getting her to sleep but she can't stay asleep. Sometimes she will sleep through the night but many nights she is up at 1 or 2 am for an hour or two. She doesn't wander the house, she wakes up and talks / sings / laughs / yells / jumps in her bed / etc... Luckily her sister (who shares her room) can sleep through it - her Dad and I can't! We have been thinking about trying melatonin but have heard that it only helps with falling asleep and has no impact on staying asleep. What experience have others had with melatonin? Any other ideas? Thanks!! Andi Cobb County Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 2, 2009 Report Share Posted January 2, 2009 We tried Melatonin with our 2 year old and it knocked him out within 20-30 minutes but it did not help keep him asleep. We took him off of it because getting him to go to sleep was not usually his problem. For about a month or so his problem was getting up between 2:30 and 4:30 am and never going back to sleep. Getting up that early was not fun but what really bothered me was the inconsistency; one morning he would sleep till 6:30, the next morning he would be up at 4:30. That made planning when I would go to sleep very hard. He has gotten better within the last month or so and will sleep until 5:30 most mornings with a little stirring a couple of times in the night. Someone mentioned time-released melatonin but I haven't looked for it yet. Good luck. Mike Randolph On Fri, Jan 2, 2009 at 9:04 AM, Mindy -Pace wrote: > I wish I could say I had ideas, but I really dont. My daughter tried huge > amounts of M but it did nothing. Even small amounts of clonidine did not > work when prescribed by the doc. We ended up using larger doses and it > worked - she really sleeps all night now. I was so excited. I know a lot of > people are against prescriptions but it has dramatically changed our lives- > I get to sleep now knowing she is sleeping. Also she does better in school > and is calmer all day- the doc said this would work. While I dont like the > prescription it works. And our doc said she may grow out of the need for the > meds and be able to self regulate after a while. Wanted to post our > experiences. Hope it helps and wishing you some rest! Mindy > > Melinda -Pace > Muscogee County Navigator Team > Parent of 3 wonderful kids, two with awe-tism! > Wife of an amazing husband! > > > > > Subject: Re: Melatonin > To: autism-georgia > Date: Friday, January 2, 2009, 8:25 AM > > We have 4 yo twin girls diagnosed with autism this summer. One is a great > sleeper and the other....not so much. We have a good routine for getting her > to sleep but she can't stay asleep. Sometimes she will sleep through the > night but many nights she is up at 1 or 2 am for an hour or two. She doesn't > wander the house, she wakes up and talks / sings / laughs / yells / jumps in > her bed / etc... Luckily her sister (who shares her room) can sleep through > it - her Dad and I can't! We have been thinking about trying melatonin but > have heard that it only helps with falling asleep and has no impact on > staying asleep. What experience have others had with melatonin? Any other > ideas? > > Thanks!! > > Andi > Cobb County > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 2, 2009 Report Share Posted January 2, 2009 Our doctor suggested we give the Melatonin before we went to bed at 11pm - since we have done that our son stays asleep until the morning and middle of the night wake-ups have stopped. Mike Randolph wrote: We tried Melatonin with our 2 year old and it knocked him out within 20-30 minutes but it did not help keep him asleep. We took him off of it because getting him to go to sleep was not usually his problem. For about a month or so his problem was getting up between 2:30 and 4:30 am and never going back to sleep. Getting up that early was not fun but what really bothered me was the inconsistency; one morning he would sleep till 6:30, the next morning he would be up at 4:30. That made planning when I would go to sleep very hard. He has gotten better within the last month or so and will sleep until 5:30 most mornings with a little stirring a couple of times in the night. Someone mentioned time-released melatonin but I haven't looked for it yet. Good luck. Mike Randolph On Fri, Jan 2, 2009 at 9:04 AM, Mindy -Pace <wesfranciemom2001> wrote: > I wish I could say I had ideas, but I really dont. My daughter tried huge > amounts of M but it did nothing. Even small amounts of clonidine did not > work when prescribed by the doc. We ended up using larger doses and it > worked - she really sleeps all night now. I was so excited. I know a lot of > people are against prescriptions but it has dramatically changed our lives- > I get to sleep now knowing she is sleeping. Also she does better in school > and is calmer all day- the doc said this would work. While I dont like the > prescription it works. And our doc said she may grow out of the need for the > meds and be able to self regulate after a while. Wanted to post our > experiences. Hope it helps and wishing you some rest! Mindy > > Melinda -Pace > Muscogee County Navigator Team > Parent of 3 wonderful kids, two with awe-tism! > Wife of an amazing husband! > > > > From: andi russell <andinuri> > Subject: Re: Melatonin > To: autism-georgia > Date: Friday, January 2, 2009, 8:25 AM > > We have 4 yo twin girls diagnosed with autism this summer. One is a great > sleeper and the other....not so much. We have a good routine for getting her > to sleep but she can't stay asleep. Sometimes she will sleep through the > night but many nights she is up at 1 or 2 am for an hour or two. She doesn't > wander the house, she wakes up and talks / sings / laughs / yells / jumps in > her bed / etc... Luckily her sister (who shares her room) can sleep through > it - her Dad and I can't! We have been thinking about trying melatonin but > have heard that it only helps with falling asleep and has no impact on > staying asleep. What experience have others had with melatonin? Any other > ideas? > > Thanks!! > > Andi > Cobb County > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 2, 2009 Report Share Posted January 2, 2009 Has anyone found time released melatonin? i agree - the inconsistency is the worst part. sometimes she sleeps all night sometimes she doesn't...we don't see any patterns either...very frustrating and i know she's not getting enough sleep. -- Subject: Re: MelatoninTo: autism-georgia Date: Friday, January 2, 2009, 3:22 PM We tried Melatonin with our 2 year old and it knocked him out within20-30 minutes but it did not help keep him asleep. We took him off ofit because getting him to go to sleep was not usually his problem.For about a month or so his problem was getting up between 2:30 and4:30 am and never going back to sleep. Getting up that early was notfun but what really bothered me was the inconsistency; one morning hewould sleep till 6:30, the next morning he would be up at 4:30. Thatmade planning when I would go to sleep very hard. He has gottenbetter within the last month or so and will sleep until 5:30 mostmornings with a little stirring a couple of times in the night.Someone mentioned time-released melatonin but I haven't looked for ityet. Good luck.Mike RandolphOn Fri, Jan 2, 2009 at 9:04 AM, Mindy -Pace<wesfranciemom2001@ yahoo.com> wrote:> I wish I could say I had ideas, but I really dont. My daughter tried huge> amounts of M but it did nothing. Even small amounts of clonidine did not> work when prescribed by the doc. We ended up using larger doses and it> worked - she really sleeps all night now. I was so excited. I know a lot of> people are against prescriptions but it has dramatically changed our lives-> I get to sleep now knowing she is sleeping. Also she does better in school> and is calmer all day- the doc said this would work. While I dont like the> prescription it works. And our doc said she may grow out of the need for the> meds and be able to self regulate after a while. Wanted to post our> experiences. Hope it helps and wishing you some rest! Mindy>> Melinda -Pace> Muscogee County Navigator Team> Parent of 3 wonderful kids, two with awe-tism!> Wife of an amazing husband!>> >> From: andi russell <andinuriyahoo (DOT) com>> Subject: Re: Melatonin> To: autism-georgia@ yahoogroups. com> Date: Friday, January 2, 2009, 8:25 AM>> We have 4 yo twin girls diagnosed with autism this summer. One is a great> sleeper and the other....not so much. We have a good routine for getting her> to sleep but she can't stay asleep. Sometimes she will sleep through the> night but many nights she is up at 1 or 2 am for an hour or two. She doesn't> wander the house, she wakes up and talks / sings / laughs / yells / jumps in> her bed / etc... Luckily her sister (who shares her room) can sleep through> it - her Dad and I can't! We have been thinking about trying melatonin but> have heard that it only helps with falling asleep and has no impact on> staying asleep. What experience have others had with melatonin? Any other> ideas?>> Thanks!!>> Andi > Cobb County>>> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 2, 2009 Report Share Posted January 2, 2009 My son has a sleep disorder and if I forget to give him Melatonin he won't fall sleep.I never had problem with him staying sleep only falling sleep. Good Luck, Simon, "If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion." ~Dalai Lama >> From: andi russell <andinuriyahoo (DOT) com>> Subject: Re: Melatonin> To: autism-georgia@ yahoogroups. com> Date: Friday, January 2, 2009, 8:25 AM>> We have 4 yo twin girls diagnosed with autism this summer. One is a great> sleeper and the other....not so much. We have a good routine for getting her> to sleep but she can't stay asleep. Sometimes she will sleep through the> night but many nights she is up at 1 or 2 am for an hour or two. She doesn't> wander the house, she wakes up and talks / sings / laughs / yells / jumps in> her bed / etc... Luckily her sister (who shares her room) can sleep through> it - her Dad and I can't! We have been thinking about trying melatonin but> have heard that it only helps with falling asleep and has no impact on> staying asleep. What experience have others had with melatonin? Any other> ideas?>> Thanks!!>> Andi > Cobb County>>> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 3, 2009 Report Share Posted January 3, 2009 Not sleeping thru the night, I have found, can be a result of many things. Have you checked out physical causes first? Blocked nasal passages (may be found by an allergist) can cause a child to never get a deep sleep, and have them wake often. Regulatory disorder has more issues then just sleep....but it can cause a child to wake up after only a few hours of sleep. The body thinks it has slept enough. Our son had to go on meds after fixing/trying everything else. Carol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 3, 2009 Report Share Posted January 3, 2009 We have used melatonin for about 9 months. It has helped, but we have noticed that the time released works better for our son than regular. We originally used an orange flavored sublingual (under the tongue) because he refused to take pills… however, he has become more accepting of taking pills (we break them up into a powder and give them with his Zyrtec…) There are times that I wonder if the Melatonin is working. He seems to not sleep as well as other times. If we don’t give it to him at all, he doesn’t sleep. Our son slept very well on it at first and for quite some time. Had a spurt of not sleeping well with it, we switched to the time released, he got better with it, then became worse after a while, then has been up more???? I do like it overall. I am going to go back to Nutrition Depot with his current weight, talk to them about the medications he is taking, and see if his dosage is correct for his size, etc. (He takes Ritilin during the day, has gained 8-10 lbs, etc – you have to consider all things with changes….) As far as trying the melatonin goes, I wish someone would have told me about it when he was little – because he was a very poor sleeper from the beginning…. (age 1.5 on….) I would have tried it sooner…. Hang in there. Mom of 2 on the spectrum Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 4, 2009 Report Share Posted January 4, 2009 mel did nothing for my son he is 4 and takes 25mg benadryl and 1.5 mg clonidine and sometimes that dont work it's a struggle.The secret of success is to do common things uncommonly well. Subject: Re: MelatoninTo: autism-georgia Date: Saturday, January 3, 2009, 10:31 PM We have used melatonin for about 9 months. It has helped, but we have noticed that the time released works better for our son than regular. We originally used an orange flavored sublingual (under the tongue) because he refused to take pills… however, he has become more accepting of taking pills (we break them up into a powder and give them with his Zyrtec…) There are times that I wonder if the Melatonin is working. He seems to not sleep as well as other times. If we don’t give it to him at all, he doesn’t sleep. Our son slept very well on it at first and for quite some time. Had a spurt of not sleeping well with it, we switched to the time released, he got better with it, then became worse after a while, then has been up more???? I do like it overall. I am going to go back to Nutrition Depot with his current weight, talk to them about the medications he is taking, and see if his dosage is correct for his size, etc. (He takes Ritilin during the day, has gained 8-10 lbs, etc – you have to consider all things with changes….) As far as trying the melatonin goes, I wish someone would have told me about it when he was little – because he was a very poor sleeper from the beginning…. (age 1.5 on….) I would have tried it sooner…. Hang in there. Mom of 2 on the spectrum Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 9, 2009 Report Share Posted February 9, 2009 Has anyone used melatonin in a topical cream? I found it online and wondered if it worked as well as the tablets. My daughter hates to take medicine and the crean would be much less stress producing. Also, what brands have you guys found most effective and where did you get it? Thanks! Andi Ruby and Lily's mom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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