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Anybody take melatonin?

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Posted 9/17/2009 12:33 AM (GMT 0)
I'd read about this study in an ACOG newsletter (Am. College of Gastroenterologists) - some of our melatonin is produced in the pineal gland, but most of it is produced in the colon, so they're giving folks with UC 5 mg of melatonin daily (at night) to see if it helps....
I decided to buy some, my local CVS, and try it. This will be my third night. I've slept really well. :-)
Not yet sure what it's done for my gut.
Anybody else out there try this?
Posted 9/17/2009 12:50 AM (GMT 0)
Interesting study. I googled it. I just bought some melatonin because I thought it might help me sleep better. I have been really restless lately. Probably the Pred. I got worried that it might be bad for my colitis or interact with my medicine so I haven't taken it yet. I think I will try it now.
Posted 9/17/2009 1:27 AM (GMT 0)
I was on Melatonin for a while mainly to see if it would help me sleep. It didn't help much with my sleep nor did it help my Uc any. But it wouldn't hurt to try because we say what works for one may not work for another around here.
Posted 9/17/2009 2:34 AM (GMT 0)
I take it. It really helps with better quality sleep, but seems to have no bowel effect at all.
Posted 9/17/2009 12:21 PM (GMT 0)
I had tried melatonin a year or so ago - my college-aged son had suggested I try it - and it had seemed to do nothing, I didn't sleep better, etc - but this time around, wow, I'm so drowsy 45 minutes after I take it!
It amazes me how we can respond differently at different times.
Posted 9/17/2009 5:20 PM (GMT 0)
I take melatonin when I have early morning appointments because melatonin is the only thing for me that stops 'morning flare'

Melatonin must be taken in very large doses to be beneficial to IBD. 

Anything less than 20mg will not help IBD symptoms

Posted 9/17/2009 5:45 PM (GMT 0)
Here's a link to a summary about a recent study on UC and melatonin. I wasn't able to access the full study, so if anyone knows how to get it then that will be good to know.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18626968
Posted 9/17/2009 5:49 PM (GMT 0)
Here ya go Rio:

http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/cgi-bin/fulltext/120775674/HTMLSTART
Posted 9/17/2009 6:37 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks NiRo.
Posted 9/17/2009 8:54 PM (GMT 0)
And here is the link to the phase 2 trial I mentioned in the start of the thread:
http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00790478

Looks as if this trial is going on right now.
Posted 9/18/2009 2:10 AM (GMT 0)
been taking it for a while....helps me sleep...no bowel differences that i know of...
Posted 9/18/2009 9:51 PM (GMT 0)
Another which I forgot to mention. The melatonin capsules that work best are the 'slow release' ones.

Just experiment with 20mg 'slow release' for one day and see the results for yourself.

There are warnings about melatonin overdose but nobody has specified how much is 'overdose'

I experience no side effects from 20mg but I am cautious and only take this dosage when I really have to.

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Melatonin overdose can result in lethargy, extreme fatigue, incoherence, mental and nervous disorientation, speech problems and psychotic thinking among other things. In case of melatonin overdose, the best idea is to go for supportive care. This treats the problem from the root and eradicates it.

Melatonin overdose might result in lowering the blood pressure beneath the threshold levels. This is why it is important to pre-assess the dose for those patients who have high blood pressure. Also, it is important to pre-examine the patients with liver or nerve disorders before administering melatonin.

Melatonin shall be taken only when the companies you buy from adhere to the Better Business Bureau standards and also when you see that they have the right ingredient labels in place. Yes, it is a naturally occurring hormone but its shortage has brought along the various synthesized pharmaceutical products. It is here that the importance of right dosage comes onto the picture.

If melatonin suits you then the correct dosage can answer most of your sleeping worries, and if it is giving you side effects, it is better to keep away from the higher dosage.

Melatonin overdose can also induce poisoning and hence it is always better to pre-read the symptoms and call for the emergency services. These are the people who are most up to date with the treatment styles.
Posted 10/5/2012 1:57 AM (GMT 0)
I started using melatonin (1-3mg of Walmart, "Spring Valley" brand with B6) for sleep issues about 6 months ago.

I was amazed by the improvement in my long-standing (13+ year) UC symptoms - on a par of what mesalamine and psyllium accomplished for me.
Posted 10/5/2012 3:59 AM (GMT 0)
I take it sometimes due to a sleep phase disorder I have. Works well for me on that front.
Posted 10/5/2012 8:36 AM (GMT 0)
I have Circadin at home. Didn't notice much in terms of IBD.
Posted 10/5/2012 3:31 PM (GMT 0)
I take it every night, 1mg.
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