Melatonin?

attiel

Hi all,
I lived in the states for awhile, and and when I was there I was prescribed melatonin for delayed sleep disorder, which basically means I don't get tired till 230 or so. However I've been to two doctors in Dublin and both said they had never even heard of it. I was just wondering if anyone has used melatonin over here or if they know of a gp that is familiar with it? Thanks!

El_Dangeroso

You can't get it here AFAIK. I can't find anything about it's official status, but you can get it online from a reputable supplement shop.

A word of caution, it is a hormone, your body exerts a huge amount of effort keeping these hormones in check. Taking a hormone can down-regulate your own body's production of that hormone making the problem worse long term. There are a few negative anecdotes bouncing around online as well if you have a google.

If you have delayed onset of sleeping I highly recommend 'blue-light-blocking' glasses like these:

http://www.cocoonseyewear.com/sunwear/product.php?id=186

You put them on two hours prior to the time you want to fall asleep. You can then watch tv and use the computer and they naturally bring forward your circadian rhythm allowing you to fall asleep sooner.

I have them, and while they are no miracle cure and they take about a fortnight to kick in and you look like a total idiot wearing them, they do make a big difference and the nights where I'm still wide awake at 2am are fewer and farther between.

dragonkin

I've tried to order melatonin online a couple of times however customs always seem to seize it. Most pharmacies have it if you can get a prescription from your doctor, I'm amazed the two you went to had never heard of it. I use it very sparingly myself as it is a hormone, but it resets the body clock very well.

attiel

Thanks for your advice El_Dangerouso regarding the glasses- they're worth a shot! You can definitly get melatonin on prescription over here, in theory at least- a friend of mine has been on it for a few years.

Hi dragonkin- I was really mystified as to how they had never heard of it as well! Its really well-known in the states. What brand do you use?
Thanks!

Transform

would be worth chucking in some high quality magnesium malate to help sleep also. I assume coffee is cut right back also

El_Dangeroso

dragonkin wrote: »

I've tried to order melatonin online a couple of times however customs always seem to seize it. Most pharmacies have it if you can get a prescription from your doctor, I'm amazed the two you went to had never heard of it. I use it very sparingly myself as it is a hormone, but it resets the body clock very well.

>_>
<_<

Well, you didn't hear this from me but if you really want it get a product that contains melatonin but doesn't say it on the package.

For example:

http://www.iherb.com/Natural-Factors-Stress-Relax-Tranquil-Sleep-60-Chewable-Tablets/8198?at=0

BTW, that's probably it's best use, to intermittently reset the clock, say after jet lag.

Lambchops65

Hi,

I have chronic insomnia and have tried all herbal remedies throughout the yrs to no avail.

I used to date a pharmacist and he recommended melatonin. I purchased it in the USA (off the shelf item, cheap as chips) and it works! (well better than anything else I tried anyway.

According to my GP better off taking that than 9+ yrs of 2-3 hrs broken sleep a night (as it can shorten your life span).

My advice - buy in the US and bring home. Seemingly you can get it thru a psych here but it will cost you.

Lenin Skynard

Is that illegal to order from the UK and have sent over? I've done this for years from a lot of reputable sites/Ebay and never had a problem, I never even considered the legality of it to be honest as it's sold as a health supplement.

Snoopy1

I bought a bottle of melatonin in the states to try as well.
If i start taking it, does that mean my body wont produce any naturally?
Also will one help, or do i need to be taking them for longer.
At this stage im quite sick of not sleeping, and only being able to sleep with the use of sleeping tablets

g'em

If melatonin can only be bought by prescription then its use and guidelines can't be talked about here. Sorry.