Melatonin

[Guest guest]

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)

[Guest guest]

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

[Guest guest]

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.

[Guest guest]

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

[Guest guest]

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

[Guest guest]

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

[Guest guest]

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

>

>

[Guest guest]

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?

[Guest guest]

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.

[Guest guest]

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

[Guest guest]

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

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[Guest guest]

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

[Guest guest]

Vicki, how long has the Melatonin been working for you? Pat K

[Guest guest]

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

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[Guest guest]

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

[Guest guest]

That's great. I'll try it again. Pat K

[Guest guest]

Jeanne, your son is the same size as karac. I'm encouraged that the Melatonin is working for him. Pat K

[Guest guest]

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

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[Guest guest]

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

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[Guest guest]

Wow, I didn't know so many people were having such good luck with Melatonin! That's great, Pat K

[Guest guest]

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.

[Guest guest]

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.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[Guest guest]

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

[Guest guest]

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

[Guest guest]

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>

>