Anyone tried melatonin for insomnia?

[stonecircle]

GP has just prescribed some and I'm wonder whether it's OK to get my hopes up!

[chocaholic73]

DD's been on it for a long time and it works brilliantly for her.

[EggyChick]

Works a treat for my DH, like a miracle cure for his bad sleep.

[roadwalker]

My DD takes it, it has changed our lives

[SuburbanSpaceperson]

I take it, not every night but probably half the time. It definitely helps me to fall asleep as usually I am tired but not sleepy and the melatonin makes me sleepy.

Research suggests the it doesn't necessarily increase total time asleep, but I think in my case it does as I don't have the early waking type of insomnia, only the inability to fall asleep in the evening.

[Cascumpec]

It IS ok to get your hopes up! It works, maybe not straight away...but you should see results after a week or two.

[stonecircle]

Ooooh - sounds promising. Does it matter what time of day you take it? Doesn't specify on the bottle.

[SuburbanSpaceperson]

Take it about 30 mins before you want to fall asleep if it's capsules or tablets. If it's drops that you put under your tongue then take it just before you get into bed.

[Sillysarah49]

Can I ask whether it works only for those people who struggle to get off to sleep, or will it help if you can get to sleep easily but then wake up in the early hours?

[storynanny]

Every one is different but I am afraid it didnt work at all for me.

[Bunbaker]

Is it good for jetlag?

[potbellyroast]

DS(13) takes it just before bed. He has ASD and it has transformed our lives. On the odd night I can't sleep I would love to take one! I would say well done to a forward thinking GP to prescribe you this amazing 'drug'.

I have hypothyroidism and it's prescribed in the US for this who struggle to sleep. It's not licensed in the uk so GP's can be wary of prescribing it.

[potbellyroast]

silly there are 2 varieties. Slow release for those who struggle to stay asleep and quick release for those who struggle to get to sleep. It is possible to take a combination of both.