Question:
I've been attending a parenting course for children with ADHD and the course leader was talking about the uses of Melatonin supplements to help with re-establishing circadian rhythm and good sleep patterns - something that the whole family's lost.
My problem is that short of ordering online, I can't find anywhere that sells it. Does anyone know where I can get hold of it?
Many thanks
It is only really available in the States, and ordering on line is the only place I know of at the moment.
There is a company called World Wide Health but I am not sure of their web site who do sell this for a reasonable price, as I have bought them in the past.
They don't work for everyone. Some people feel really groggy, I could only ever take half a tablet or I would be asleep all next day. Some people find their urine turns green!
I don't think they shold be taken long term. And as far as I know, not enough research has been done. There are a lot of links to melatonin on Google, only those sites actually selling the stuff recommend it, others are more cautious.
But anything is worth a try, provided it has been tested thoroughly.
Love
Gillyxxx
Could you ask your doctor to prescribe it for you? I belong to another forum for children with disabilities, and it does seem to be almost routinely used in the states to help with sleep patterns, but I think it does need to be prescribed based on age/weight to get a correct dosage - and even then it doesnt always help.
Good luck with finding some!
Karen x
From what I understand, it's not available in the UK, even on prescription. It amazes me that in the US, you can by melatonin tablets at airports. I've got a whole bag of them given to me by my American friend when I last visited to help me through the jet lag on my way home, but I've never touched them.
Lesley
Well, I managed to get some 1mg Melatonin from the States as a friend was going over and I have to say, in the 10 days we've been using them, our lives have been transformed. The boys are asleep within an hour of going to bed at 7:30 (used to be anything up to 11pm before they would go to sleep which is not good when they're 8 and 5) and are waking naturally at the same time in the morning (around 6:30-7am) in a much better mood than ever before because they've had a proper night's sleep. And my husband and I finally have evenings. It's been like a huge weight has lifted off all four of us.
That must be such a relief! Hopefully they will get "used" to sleeping, and their bodies will get into a good sleep pattern and they won't need it indefinitely.
Isn't it a shame it isnt available here, when it is so readily available in the States - and them with their litigation nightmares, it can't be that bad can it?
Add that to the list of must gets in America, along with Tylenol, Advil and Migraine tablets!
Karen x
Melatonin is wonderful for a good nights sleep but if you take them too reguarly your brain stops making melatonin on it's own.
Try 5HTP instead you can get it from Holland & Barrett. My husband works all over the world and finds that 5HTP is wonderful for guaranteeing you a sound nights sleep.
Unless you are a pediatrition I don't really think any drug should be given to children under the age of 12 or 15, save of course for things we know hands down arent bad like cough medicines and childrens dosage pain killers if necessary but over here in the US Melatonin is not approved by the FDA meaning no one has tested this stuff even for the remotest of periods.
And with all the new pharmacutical laws around here Id be scared when the FDA shrugs their shoulders.
Now Im a posologist, I like to experiment, especially being born an insomniac Ill tend to stick to the depressants. I've had so much diphenhydramine that Ive become immune to it over the years and melatonin seemed the only likelyhood. It wasnt as groggy of a sleep but it definately needs planning out if I want to wake up or not make myself sick.
The funny thing is that I have been experiencing ulcer-like problems lately and I was trying to do some reading and came across articles on the digestive tract saying that the intestines are rich with natural melatonin. I started taking the melatonin regularly for a weeks time and the constant pain and nausea of before and after I eat were gone.
However I am still very much against the idea of taking it full time. I agree with skyrocket that prolonged exposure possibly will mess up your own melatonin drip from the brain. I've also heard that it makes males more apt for prostate cancer so I'm not all too thrilled by that either.
What I'd like to do is find foods that will either induce the production of melatonin or have its own natural source of it. I hear some of the supplements are made from the melatonin in pigs brains or something crazy like that and they say that is the really bad kind. So I guess Im narrowed down to the search for foods that will induce the production in my own brain.
If anyone can give me some leads on that it would be very much appreciated.
Lynne
a further bit of information for you - melatonin IS prescribable in the UK - I have given it for a teenager with chronic fatigue syndrome, on the recommendation of a GOSH paediatrician. however, for ADHD I would favour an all-out dietary approach rather than any medication.
For anyone using melatonin in UK, I fax a supplier in Ireland with cc number and it arrives in the post very quickly - wife uses it to help severe insomnia.
with love, light and learning - Doq
My problem is that short of ordering online, I can't find anywhere that sells it. Does anyone know where I can get hold of it?
Many thanks
Answers:
It is only really available in the States, and ordering on line is the only place I know of at the moment.
There is a company called World Wide Health but I am not sure of their web site who do sell this for a reasonable price, as I have bought them in the past.
They don't work for everyone. Some people feel really groggy, I could only ever take half a tablet or I would be asleep all next day. Some people find their urine turns green!
I don't think they shold be taken long term. And as far as I know, not enough research has been done. There are a lot of links to melatonin on Google, only those sites actually selling the stuff recommend it, others are more cautious.
But anything is worth a try, provided it has been tested thoroughly.
Love
Gillyxxx
Answers:
Could you ask your doctor to prescribe it for you? I belong to another forum for children with disabilities, and it does seem to be almost routinely used in the states to help with sleep patterns, but I think it does need to be prescribed based on age/weight to get a correct dosage - and even then it doesnt always help.
Good luck with finding some!
Karen x
Answers:
From what I understand, it's not available in the UK, even on prescription. It amazes me that in the US, you can by melatonin tablets at airports. I've got a whole bag of them given to me by my American friend when I last visited to help me through the jet lag on my way home, but I've never touched them.
Lesley
Answers:
Well, I managed to get some 1mg Melatonin from the States as a friend was going over and I have to say, in the 10 days we've been using them, our lives have been transformed. The boys are asleep within an hour of going to bed at 7:30 (used to be anything up to 11pm before they would go to sleep which is not good when they're 8 and 5) and are waking naturally at the same time in the morning (around 6:30-7am) in a much better mood than ever before because they've had a proper night's sleep. And my husband and I finally have evenings. It's been like a huge weight has lifted off all four of us.
Answers:
That must be such a relief! Hopefully they will get "used" to sleeping, and their bodies will get into a good sleep pattern and they won't need it indefinitely.
Isn't it a shame it isnt available here, when it is so readily available in the States - and them with their litigation nightmares, it can't be that bad can it?
Add that to the list of must gets in America, along with Tylenol, Advil and Migraine tablets!
Karen x
Answers:
Melatonin is wonderful for a good nights sleep but if you take them too reguarly your brain stops making melatonin on it's own.
Try 5HTP instead you can get it from Holland & Barrett. My husband works all over the world and finds that 5HTP is wonderful for guaranteeing you a sound nights sleep.
Answers:
Unless you are a pediatrition I don't really think any drug should be given to children under the age of 12 or 15, save of course for things we know hands down arent bad like cough medicines and childrens dosage pain killers if necessary but over here in the US Melatonin is not approved by the FDA meaning no one has tested this stuff even for the remotest of periods.
And with all the new pharmacutical laws around here Id be scared when the FDA shrugs their shoulders.
Now Im a posologist, I like to experiment, especially being born an insomniac Ill tend to stick to the depressants. I've had so much diphenhydramine that Ive become immune to it over the years and melatonin seemed the only likelyhood. It wasnt as groggy of a sleep but it definately needs planning out if I want to wake up or not make myself sick.
The funny thing is that I have been experiencing ulcer-like problems lately and I was trying to do some reading and came across articles on the digestive tract saying that the intestines are rich with natural melatonin. I started taking the melatonin regularly for a weeks time and the constant pain and nausea of before and after I eat were gone.
However I am still very much against the idea of taking it full time. I agree with skyrocket that prolonged exposure possibly will mess up your own melatonin drip from the brain. I've also heard that it makes males more apt for prostate cancer so I'm not all too thrilled by that either.
What I'd like to do is find foods that will either induce the production of melatonin or have its own natural source of it. I hear some of the supplements are made from the melatonin in pigs brains or something crazy like that and they say that is the really bad kind. So I guess Im narrowed down to the search for foods that will induce the production in my own brain.
If anyone can give me some leads on that it would be very much appreciated.
Answers:
Lynne
a further bit of information for you - melatonin IS prescribable in the UK - I have given it for a teenager with chronic fatigue syndrome, on the recommendation of a GOSH paediatrician. however, for ADHD I would favour an all-out dietary approach rather than any medication.
For anyone using melatonin in UK, I fax a supplier in Ireland with cc number and it arrives in the post very quickly - wife uses it to help severe insomnia.
with love, light and learning - Doq
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