Has anyone taken melatonin?

[InBetweenDays]

I've been having sleep issues for awhile now. I can fall asleep fine, but I wake up NUMEROUS times each night. And when I wake up I'm partially awake and in a confused state. Confused enough that I think I see things that aren't there. There have been times when I've thought a carnival set up in our neighbors yard, I've looked at the light from a smoke detector and swore I was watching a home movie of some sort, etc. Just really random things (for a week after Ragnar I kept waking up thinking we needed to meet our runner). Sometimes I put on my glasses and realize what I think I'm seeing isn't there, sometimes I get out of bed to check, and sometimes DH says (in a half asleep, pillow-muffled voice) "There is nothing there!".

I think it is sort of stress/anxiety related - we have a lot going on that is requiring me to be doing tons of organization. Both at work and at home. I don't generally feel tired during the day, but I do think it is affecting me. I'm wondering if melatonin would help?

And if you've taken it, did you check with your doctor first or just buy it OTC?

[Brit]

I take melatonin when I'm stressed out and having trouble clearing my mind well enough to go to sleep. It helps me fall asleep under that circumstance, but I don't know if/how it would work for you. I did not ask a doctor about taking it, but that probably isn't a bad idea.

[Deleted]

I've taken Valerian Root and Melatonin. I take the melatonin (3mg) every night at bed for sleeping, per my doctor's suggestion - though I did start taking it prior to seeing her about it, no big deal. It helps a lot! The Valerian is more of an anxiety/stress reducing sleep aid, so that may also help you out a lot.

[wambam]

I have taken in upwards of 9mg of melatonin in the past. It no longer works for me at all. Looking back, I should have used it only for a short period of time and then stopped. But I was so afraid of not sleeping that I kept taking it for many months after I should have stopped.

[eb777888]

Yes, it has helped me sleep many times. My doctor actually recommended it.

I can't take it now because it interacts with my thyroid meds.

[ebeth]

I have. I didn't talk to the doctor first.

it worked, but it gave me crazy vivid dreams.

[pixy0stix]

I take 3mg when I know I'm not going to be able to fall asleep.

That being said, it only helps me fall asleep. When it's out of my system I sometimes wake up. I'm not sure it would help in your situation.

[emilyj]

I have - I actually need to stop taking it, because I've been taking it for too long of a period.  

It helps me fall asleep, which is my big problem.  It does give me some freaky weird dreams though.  I never have trouble staying asleep, so I'm not sure how it works for that.  

[scorpio72]

Aug 15, 2013 12:35:35 GMT -5 ebeth said:

I have. I didn't talk to the doctor first.

it worked, but it gave me crazy vivid dreams.

Same here. I take it occasionally and have some really weird dreams. 

[brooke77]

Aug 15, 2013 12:37:08 GMT -5 pixy0stix said:

I take 3mg when I know I'm not going to be able to fall asleep.

That being said, it only helps me fall asleep. When it's out of my system I sometimes wake up. I'm not sure it would help in your situation.

This is also my experience.  It helps me fall asleep, but not stay asleep.  Stress/anxiety keeps me awake at night and I've yet to find a true solution - my brookstone sound machine helps the most.

[Chelle]

I take it when switching from night shift to days off and it works like a charm.

Try the melatonin for a bit and see if it helps, but it isn't designed to be used long term, it will seriously effect your ability to sleep on your own. I have a script for Ativan (lorazepam) for nights like yours when I wake up midway through the night and my racing mind keeps me awake, also something you want to take short term/infrequently to prevent dependence.

[InBetweenDays]

Thanks all! I may give it a try to see if it helps. When I do wake up it is only for a very brief time (last night I woke up, was convinced we had forgotten to pick up the kids, put on a t-shirt, then realized they were in bed so I went right back to bed) but it is still annoying.

And thanks mr+ms for the other suggestions. I'll give some of those a try.