Holy Melatonin, Batman!

[Guest guest]

Oh, my. Why didn't I try melatonin sooner?

My 6 yr old son has never had a problem falling or staying asleep until

about 8 months ago. I thought it was just an unwelcomed side effect to

the progress seen from chelation and anti-virals. He was coming in to

our room and asking inane questions (how many minutes until Christmas?)

or making bed-time stalling requests (can I sleep with you?) like a

neurotypical pro. After the initial joy wore off, I did notice he was

lying in bed scripting from shows or books, though. Toward the end of

the school year it started to interfere with his day; too tired.

This summer he had nights where it took 2 hours for him to fall

asleep. He isn't hyper; just awake and talking. In preparation for

the school year's start next Tuesday, I finally gave Melatonin a try.

I had ordered a trial of Kirkman 1 mg chewables a few months prior.

WOW! For the past 3 days he has fallen asleep within 10 mins of

hitting the pillow. I give him 1 mg an hour before bedtime and last

night he asked to go to bed. Weeee!

He's staying asleep all night (as always) and waking up at an

appropriate time to start the day. He seems well rested.

My reason for posting this is 2-fold:

1. I'm so thrilled and want to pass on info (tho I know many use it

already). I also had no idea it was an anti-oxidant; something my son

seems to benefit from.

2. Does Melatonin only work for those who have some type of melatonin

regulation/production issue? Is there a deficiency involved? I

sometimes question the night light (quite bright) he has in his room

and wonder if that can confuse the pineal gland. Is that nuts? The

night light came about 3-6 months before the problem falling asleep

arose.

After 5 years I sometimes feel like I've fallen in to a treatment

rut... having something so common and basic as melatonin make such a

big impact gives me a boost.

I'm going to SLEEP! I hope this lasts.

Pam