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...
Guest guest Posted August 16, 2005 Report Share Posted August 16, 2005 Melatonin works really well for my 14 year old. We give it to him about one hour before bed and he is good to go. When we first started he would even fall asleep on the couch so we didn't have the usual bedtime fights about going to bed. My son swallows pills, so I can't help you there. Jodi > Have any of you used Melatonin to help your child with sleep issues? 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... 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. I was thinking of trying Melatonin just to get him back in the habit of falling asleep earlier. Any thoughts? > > Jill > Mom to Mac & Kit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 16, 2005 Report Share Posted August 16, 2005 Melatonin works really well for my 14 year old. We give it to him about one hour before bed and he is good to go. When we first started he would even fall asleep on the couch so we didn't have the usual bedtime fights about going to bed. My son swallows pills, so I can't help you there. Jodi > Have any of you used Melatonin to help your child with sleep issues? 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... 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. I was thinking of trying Melatonin just to get him back in the habit of falling asleep earlier. Any thoughts? > > Jill > Mom to Mac & Kit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 16, 2005 Report Share Posted August 16, 2005 In a message dated 8/16/2005 7:05:23 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, thrill@... writes: So it's something I can try and it should/could work the first time--it's not something that has to build up, right? I've read and my ped also said it was safe to use. I " m going to try it and see what happens. I know one time for a hearing exam they gave him chloral hydrate (not sure if that is spelled right) to semi sedate him and after two doses and driving in the car for an hour he was still wide awake. Thanks, Loree. I actually questioned Micah's doctor today about the melatonin and she said I could actually cut the dose in half to 5 micrograms. (Just cut a pill in half) they have done research that this works equally as well as 1 mg and perhaps even better though they don't know why. I am going to try it and see if it works the same. Will let you know ater I try it a few times. Loree Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 16, 2005 Report Share Posted August 16, 2005 In a message dated 8/16/2005 7:05:23 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, thrill@... writes: So it's something I can try and it should/could work the first time--it's not something that has to build up, right? I've read and my ped also said it was safe to use. I " m going to try it and see what happens. I know one time for a hearing exam they gave him chloral hydrate (not sure if that is spelled right) to semi sedate him and after two doses and driving in the car for an hour he was still wide awake. Thanks, Loree. I actually questioned Micah's doctor today about the melatonin and she said I could actually cut the dose in half to 5 micrograms. (Just cut a pill in half) they have done research that this works equally as well as 1 mg and perhaps even better though they don't know why. I am going to try it and see if it works the same. Will let you know ater I try it a few times. Loree Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 16, 2005 Report Share Posted August 16, 2005 OK, Myah is doing the exact same thing!! I thought she was just crazy! Lol I guess I was hoping that school straightened this situation out. I even tried to drug her with Benadryl 2 different night cause she just wouldn't relax and sleep. That didn't work How old is Mac?? , mom to Myah (4DS and Shianne 11mo) Melatonin Have any of you used Melatonin to help your child with sleep issues? 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... 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. I was thinking of trying Melatonin just to get him back in the habit of falling asleep earlier. Any thoughts? Jill Mom to Mac & Kit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 16, 2005 Report Share Posted August 16, 2005 OK, Myah is doing the exact same thing!! I thought she was just crazy! Lol I guess I was hoping that school straightened this situation out. I even tried to drug her with Benadryl 2 different night cause she just wouldn't relax and sleep. That didn't work How old is Mac?? , mom to Myah (4DS and Shianne 11mo) Melatonin Have any of you used Melatonin to help your child with sleep issues? 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... 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. I was thinking of trying Melatonin just to get him back in the habit of falling asleep earlier. Any thoughts? Jill Mom to Mac & Kit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 16, 2005 Report Share Posted August 16, 2005 So it's something I can try and it should/could work the first time--it's not something that has to build up, right? I've read and my ped also said it was safe to use. I " m going to try it and see what happens. I know one time for a hearing exam they gave him chloral hydrate (not sure if that is spelled right) to semi sedate him and after two doses and driving in the car for an hour he was still wide awake. Thanks, Loree. Re: Melatonin 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 So it's something I can try and it should/could work the first time--it's not something that has to build up, right? I've read and my ped also said it was safe to use. I " m going to try it and see what happens. I know one time for a hearing exam they gave him chloral hydrate (not sure if that is spelled right) to semi sedate him and after two doses and driving in the car for an hour he was still wide awake. Thanks, Loree. Re: Melatonin 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 We have used it with Jess (16) the past couple of school years. She doesn't seem to need it as much in the spring and summer months with all the sun. She only seems to need .5 (that's point 5) mg, not as much as was originally suggested by dr. (the suggested amount knocked her flat and for too long). The key is to give it anywhere from 1 to 3 hours before bedtime so it gets into system and the child doesn't end up sleepy in the morning, but still up too late at night. She swallows happily, but we've done the hide the crushed pill in applesauce, jello, etc. route with fair success. The amount and timing of the dose seem to be pretty individualized. Probably best to start with a lower strength given earlier and adjust as needed. Judi Melatonin Have any of you used Melatonin to help your child with sleep issues? 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... 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. I was thinking of trying Melatonin just to get him back in the habit of falling asleep earlier. Any thoughts? Jill Mom to Mac & Kit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 16, 2005 Report Share Posted August 16, 2005 We have used it with Jess (16) the past couple of school years. She doesn't seem to need it as much in the spring and summer months with all the sun. She only seems to need .5 (that's point 5) mg, not as much as was originally suggested by dr. (the suggested amount knocked her flat and for too long). The key is to give it anywhere from 1 to 3 hours before bedtime so it gets into system and the child doesn't end up sleepy in the morning, but still up too late at night. She swallows happily, but we've done the hide the crushed pill in applesauce, jello, etc. route with fair success. The amount and timing of the dose seem to be pretty individualized. Probably best to start with a lower strength given earlier and adjust as needed. Judi Melatonin Have any of you used Melatonin to help your child with sleep issues? 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... 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. I was thinking of trying Melatonin just to get him back in the habit of falling asleep earlier. Any thoughts? Jill Mom to Mac & Kit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 20, 2005 Report Share Posted August 20, 2005 Hi , I take melatonin - 3mg tabs but I only take half a tab as a rule - if I am particularly restless I might take a whole one. It works a treat for me! I take it just before bed and turn the lights out right away as light inhibits the action of melatonin - I get good deep sleep as a result. I think the dose is personal - you have to try and see what works. I thought all melatonin was synthetic - anyway mine is bio-identical (I think!!!) I got it from https://www.immunesupport.com - good supplements there! Kerry MELATONIN Do any of you take Melatonin? If so, what strength? Natural or synthetic? Thanks, -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. Version: 7.0.338 / Virus Database: 267.10.13/78 - Release Date: 8/19/2005 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 20, 2005 Report Share Posted August 20, 2005 , I did try Melatonin for sleeping, but it only worked for about three months for me, then I had to go off it again, to try it later on. When I took a " Fibromyalgia And Chronic Fatigue " clinic at our hospital, the pharmacist asked us what we had tried for sleep, and I told him of my experience with Melatonin. He just nodded and said that's what he would expect. I know nothing more than that. A while after that, a nurse told me that nurses on shiftwork take 50 mg Dimenhyrinate (a seasickness pill) which guarantees them four hours of good sleep. I took one dimenhydrinate pill every night for almost six years, and it continued to work for me. If I forgot to take it, I would remember within a short time, as I would be unable to get to sleep. I do not take anything with caffeine after about noon. And I go to bed at about the same time every night. I had been on thyroid medication for about a year, and was still having to take that seasickness pill, or I would not sleep well. However, a couple of months ago, my new hormones doctor put me on progesterone cream, and after a couple of weeks, I found I no longer needed my dimenhydrinate pill. As you are not a woman though, maybe progesterone cream is not for you.;-))) Gail > One of my very frequent problems is insomnia. I don't know if it's > related to my hypothyroidism [or some other hormone imbalance] or not. > Dr. Hertoghe [recommended by Gracia] indicates that in many cases it may > well be. > > I avoid much of the caffeine I would otherwise probably ingest; but my > reactions [yet again!] are rather strange. Sometimes when I drink a > caffeinated soda I will feel " wired " at bedtime; and if so it may take > me 4 to 6 hours to get to sleep. OTOH if I feel " mellow " I can > sometimes go to sleep in 1/2 to one hour [my wife is snoring in two > minutes]. But at other times I may drink the caffeinated soda and feel > " mellow " ; or I may _not_ drink one and feel wired. > > Anybody else have insomnia problems? Have they responded to hypothyroid > treatment? > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 21, 2005 Report Share Posted August 21, 2005 This is a big symptom of needing cortisol, tired but wired feeling. IMO you could take low dose cortisol and testosterone, then add thyroid meds as needed. Gracia > One of my very frequent problems is insomnia. I don't know if it's > related to my hypothyroidism [or some other hormone imbalance] or not. > Dr. Hertoghe [recommended by Gracia] indicates that in many cases it may > well be. > > -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. Version: 7.0.338 / Virus Database: 267.10.13/78 - Release Date: 8/19/2005 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 21, 2005 Report Share Posted August 21, 2005 my insomnia really cleared up with thyroid meds - but I still was not getting really deep sleep - the melatonin helps with that - I think as a result of many years of fatigue I am actually deficient in melatonin - so it helps me! K MELATONIN Do any of you take Melatonin? If so, what strength? Natural or synthetic? Thanks, -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. Version: 7.0.338 / Virus Database: 267.10.13/78 - Release Date: 8/19/2005 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 21, 2005 Report Share Posted August 21, 2005 > Thanks for the info. Do you have any other reference to using > Dimenhyrinate as a sleep medicine? I didn't see anything on a quick Google. Sorry, I don't have any info other than that I got the tip from a nurse, and her husband (who is a surgeon) who was there at the time, told me it wouldn't harm me. I never had to go up in dosage, it never failed me, and two weeks after I started progesterone, I stopped taking dimenhydrinate and have not needed it since. > > As for the progesterone cream after reading Dr. Hertoghe's book I'm not > so sure. It seems that male and female hormones are not restricted to > males and females. For example, I understand women need testosterone > [although I guess most of it is converted to a female hormone]. I'm totally focussed on women's hormones, had actually not given any thought to what men might require. I figured men only needed and produced testosterone.;-)) And that, in case anybody misses it, is a " wink " . And yes, I have also recently been given testosterone cream as well. Gail > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 21, 2005 Report Share Posted August 21, 2005 Are you still taking Melatonin, Kerry? Did the progesterone not give you back your sleep? It has for me. Gail > my insomnia really cleared up with thyroid meds - but I still was > not getting really deep sleep - the melatonin helps with that - I think > as a result of many years of fatigue I am actually deficient in > melatonin - so it helps me! > K > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 21, 2005 Report Share Posted August 21, 2005 I was taking the melatonin long before the progesterone so my sleep was Ok by the time I got the progest.......Probably could give up the melatonin now - I'll give it a try. the problem for me is that I seem to get resistant to hormones after a short while so the progesterone is not helping as obviously as it did at first - however I still feel it is supporting me a great deal. Kerry Re: MELATONIN Are you still taking Melatonin, Kerry? Did the progesterone not give you back your sleep? It has for me. Gail > my insomnia really cleared up with thyroid meds - but I still was > not getting really deep sleep - the melatonin helps with that - I think > as a result of many years of fatigue I am actually deficient in > melatonin - so it helps me! > K > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 21, 2005 Report Share Posted August 21, 2005 I seem to remember you are taking a goodly amount of progesterone as well. It might be interesting to try sleeping without Melatonin. Of course, Melatonin is certainly not going to do any harm. I also remember your hormone resistance. Wish I had an answer... Gail > I was taking the melatonin long before the progesterone so my sleep was > Ok by the time I got the progest.......Probably could give up the > melatonin now - I'll give it a try. > the problem for me is that I seem to get resistant to hormones after a > short while so the progesterone is not helping as obviously as it did at > first - however I still feel it is supporting me a great deal. > Kerry > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 21, 2005 Report Share Posted August 21, 2005 that makes sense ...I would agree with you.... the only thing I would add even though it seems unlikely to apply to you is that adrenal exhaustion has several stages - before you burnout and exhaust the adrenals there is a period of excess cortisol production which can be characterised by hyperactivity and fast heart rate - the last desperate fling of the adrenals so to speak I would imagine that a long time of poor sleep would tire the adrenals. anyway the first thing to look for with adrenal fatigue is if you have had prolonged stress either emotional or physical or exposure to toxic chemicals etc - there is no reason to expect weak adrenals unless you have been pushing your body too hard in some way - so if this does not apply to you then obviously adrenal issues are unlikely. I think a good osteopath or natural doctor who would be willing to take a careful case history would be good help for you to try to get to the bottom of what is causing the symptoms you do have. For me it was a long time finding a dx - I was baffled for many years but as soon as I heard that there was such a thing as low thyroid and adrenal weakness I knew right away that my symptoms were just about textbook. And since then it has been nearly four years of a lot of trial and error but I am getting better. So I think there is an explanation for you its just not come to light yet. Kerry Re: MELATONIN > > >This is a big symptom of needing cortisol, tired but wired feeling. IMO >you could take low dose cortisol and testosterone, then add thyroid meds as >needed. >Gracia > > > >>One of my very frequent problems is insomnia. I don't know if it's >>related to my hypothyroidism [or some other hormone imbalance] or not. >>Dr. Hertoghe [recommended by Gracia] indicates that in many cases it may >>well be. >> >> >> >> > > > > > ---------- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. Version: 7.0.338 / Virus Database: 267.10.13/78 - Release Date: 8/19/2005 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 21, 2005 Report Share Posted August 21, 2005 NO adrenaline is the accelerator and cortisol is the breaks. Cortisol is a natural beta blocker. IMO hyperthyroidism is adrenal. (I have been hyper). Gracia > I believe cortisol tends to increase heart rate, and mine is already so > high that I take a calcium blocker to keep it under control. I would be > > very concerned about taking anything to increase my heart rate. I > believe the Synthroid can also, so I'm watching that. I don't want to > take more than one new medication until I find out how it is going to > affect me. Remember, my reactions to medication are often atypical. > > I believe that for the most part my symptoms would indicate > hyperthyroidism [rather than the hypo indicated by the low TSH]; and > very good adrenal production. > > I would not rule out in the future taking a SMALL physiological dose of > natural cortisol [or whatever that's called] based upon the normal > decline of cortisol that would go with my age of 64 years. Ditto for > several of the others Dr. Hertoghe mentions that decrease so much with > age. > > > > -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. Version: 7.0.338 / Virus Database: 267.10.13/78 - Release Date: 8/19/2005 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 22, 2005 Report Share Posted August 22, 2005 , You wrote: > Funny thing; when I started Synthroid I was " wired " all night long, and really > constipated the next day [for the first time in my life]. These are not typical > reactions to Synthroid. ... Actually, with partial thyroid function, it is possible to induce an " oscillatory " reaction. The pituitary senses the sudden jump in T3 and *over* compensates. It is the speed of the change that causes this. I like the analogy to springs on a car with failing shock absorbers. The second derivative (acceleration) is what gets you. This means that about three days after a Synthroid increase, you become hypoT. The bigger the jump in dosage, the bigger the potential oscillation. This is one reason they increase dosage very gradually. The hyperT side can be dangerous. Over a period of weeks, the oscillation or potential for oscillation dies out, and you reach a stable equilibrium zone. This is the " effective " condition to which Kady alluded, although I thought the term " effective " to be misleading. A similar oscillation can occur if you suddenly drop your Synthroid dosage. You can become hyperT briefly by cutting the Synthroid. This is also the basis of my personal reservations about taking T3 directly. The changes are much more gradual with T4 alone, so the potential for excursions is less. However, lots of people have successfully managed this approach using either Armour or Cytomel. Has your doctor checked out other causes for your symptoms, particularly cardiac? Chuck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 22, 2005 Report Share Posted August 22, 2005 , You wrote: > ... The increased insomnia and constipation was the night and the day > following my first dose of 50 mg Synthroid. It is possible, of course, > that there were other causes. I have since increased to 75 mg/day. No > change whatsoever as far as I can see.... That suggests they are independent. Neither is close to a full replacement dose. You do not seem to have indications of hypoT, nor do you seem to be getting much, if any, treatment for that. You might be better served by a doctor that specializes in geriatric conditions. Either that, or a cardiologist that can offer you some lower risk alternatives. Chuck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 22, 2005 Report Share Posted August 22, 2005 In a message dated 23/08/2005 08:21:03 GMT Daylight Time, catherine.devereux@... writes: Does anyone knw if you can source this in the UK as I am running low and am likely to run out before my next orde from Cally comes through - great planning!!!! >>>No but I can send you some - how many you want? Mandi PS Its Consultant RX only in UK Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 22, 2005 Report Share Posted August 22, 2005 In a message dated 23/08/2005 08:34:19 GMT Daylight Time, catherine.devereux@... writes: Bollocks- I thought it might be rx only over here. I've got 10 days worht left but Cally order usually takes upto 3 weeks and I've only just today placed the order. If you could lend me a few to tide me over I'll send replacements back when they arrive - Jack takes 3mg caps though and I thought Sam was on lower dose? >>>I have Kirkman Melatonin Plus 1mg caps (with some Magensium), LEF 1mg caps, Source Naturals 2mg tabs (which can be crushed) and Kirkman chewables 1mg - take your pick! Mandi x 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.