Melatonin

The sleeping aid, used quite often in USA. I find it easy to go to sleep but wake up at 4am every day, a) due to me being in a new country, and b) due to my anxiety and IBS which has been high recently. Whatever the reason, has anybody used Melatonin? It says on the label, people shouldn't use it if they have an auto-immune disease so it scared me.

I want to be able to stay asleep all night; or shall I just use sleeping pills?

Now that's reassuring. I am sick of being so cautious! :(

20mg is super high dose though.

I have been using essential oils in my oil diffuser to help me sleep. Lavender oil is best for sleep. There are a variety of oils for different symptoms. There are some for headaches, sinus issues, stress, etc. If you research them and give it a try, you may love them. It avoids taking Melatonin or any other drugs. It seems like we are on enough meds as it is. My opinion, but I hope you will give it a try. I bought my diffuser on Amazon, but you can get them at Earth Fare, Whole Foods, if you have these stores where you live. Best of Luck!

melatonin is a hormone that we are supposed to naturally produce
when we dont produce enough than we have trouble going to sleep

some things that help you turn up melatonin production at bedtime/ help you sleep well
1 making a sleep schedule, getting up and going to sleep at the same time each day
2. have a regular bedtime routine eg: shower, brush teeth, read....
3. turn down the lights before you go to sleep
4. dont use a any devices for at least an hour before sleeping (tv, computer, phone, tablet...)

some say eating things with the amino acid tryptophan in it helps sleep (turkey has it)

IMHO taking melatonin doesnt teach you how to sleep it might just help
also 3-5mg is normal taking over that sound slightly excessive and a waste of money

I've been taking 20mg (2 x 10mg tablets) each night for a while now to try and help a sleep issue I have been having. I find it works really well. Though I get funky dreams from it at times - normally I don't dream much or remember them.

What helps me is not setting my alarm in the morning. When I take the melatonin and don't set my alarm I wake up at the same time generally but feel more refreshed.

Now that I think about it, it doesn't sound like you have a problem falling asleep, your problem is staying a sleep long enough to be well rested. I doubt many of the medications would help with that. You're probably better off exercising during the day and trying to go to bed later in hopes of being tired enough to sleep through the later part of the night.

me myself personally don't have a problem waking up at 4 am - i'm usually awake before then actually - it's the perfect time of day = no kids, no wife, no interruptions/distractions, etc. oh, and it's QUIET !

if you are not falling asleep at your desk during the day, then i wouldn't stress over it - just make good use of that alone time

I use melatonin occasionally when I am traveling. I have a difficult time falling asleep in a strange environment. Don't really have any trouble staying asleep through the night. However, I think there is a timed release Melatonin which might help. Sorry, I don't know the name. Mary