Do any of you good folks use Melatonin as a sleep aid when out of cycle?

I've been out of cycle now for nearly 3 years but my sleeping patterns are all over the map.

I'm wondering about using Melatonin to see if I can at least get one or two good nights in a week without resorting to anything stronger.

Any recommendations as to dosage?

Thanks
Carol

For SLEEP--not control of CH--a good study out of England a few years ago concluded that 1/3mg was good for sleep--neither more nor less was as effective.

Since 1mg is the smallest tablet in the U.S., I just cut one in half and have, with CONSISTENT use, had a better sleep pattern over the long haul.

Bob - thank you so much!  I've been feeling like a walking zombie for the past month.  Go to bed really tired - fall sound asleep - but wake up in an hour and then can't get back to sleep.

My Dr. did give me Temazapam - 15 mg. - but I really would rather take something a little more natural.

Again - my thanks - it's off to the Walmart pharmacy tomorrow!

Carol

I use it all the time for some quality sleep. Same dosage as when I'm in cycle. I take 9mg about an hour before bed.

I have liquid droppers of Melatonin (over the counter), 1 dropper drop is 1mg. I guess you could get the 1/3mg you need for some normal sleep from that. 
I also use the 3mg tabs sometimes for a restful sleep when I go through a restless time.  It comes and goes.

Angela

Edit: I screwed up the 1 drop thing before.  1 dropper = 1 mg on the instructions means literally 1 drop!

I really hope this works for you Carol, sleep is so precious. [smiley=snore.gif]

My wife has bad sleep patterns and i've told her to use my Melatonin, but she has yet to try it.  She is a bit
skeptical when she doesn't know anything about a pill.
Doesn't matter to me, because it helps during my cycle.
If I use seeds I stay away from it though.

Bob Johnson wrote on Dec 2^nd, 2009 at 7:37pm:

For SLEEP--not control of CH--a good study out of England a few years ago concluded that 1/3mg was good for sleep--neither more nor less was as effective. Since 1mg is the smallest tablet in the U.S., I just cut one in half and have, with CONSISTENT use, had a better sleep pattern over the long haul.

Bob, you said you cut one in half and have...so are you taking a fourth or a half?

Thanks for the tip!!!

Bob Johnson wrote on Dec 2^nd, 2009 at 7:37pm:

...Since 1mg is the smallest tablet in the U.S., I just cut one in half...

I have bought 300 mcg (<--- microgram, NOT mg.) tablets several times.  Don't recall for sure if it was at Wal-Mart or GNC, but they're readily available.  As Bob said, that dosage range (300 mcg is real close to 1/3 mg.) has been pretty well established as the optimum dose for use as a sleep aid - works great for me!

Regards,
Jim

Thanks, Jim!!!

Thanks to all of you for the information.  Now - to put said information to good use.

Carol

Let us know how you make out Carol.
Sleep tight [smiley=sleep.gif]

I just noticed last night that my bottle of melatonin says after 2 months of use to take a 1 week holiday.  Never heard that before?

Bob P wrote on Dec 4^th, 2009 at 7:18am:

I just noticed last night that my bottle of melatonin says after 2 months of use to take a 1 week holiday.  Never heard that before?

Go to VEGAS !

Bob P wrote on Dec 4^th, 2009 at 7:18am:

I just noticed last night that my bottle of melatonin says after 2 months of use to take a 1 week holiday.  Never heard that before?

Good info...thanks!

I just read mine, and it says nothing of the sort.

I guess I'm destined for honey-do vacations.

Bob=my former internist commented that toxicity can be a problem with high dosing and older people (he didn't specifiy age).

That has always been on my mind with folks who are using 9-12mg regularly but maybe not a problem with the younger group we have here. The low dose for sleep is likely safer than a daily aspirin.