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Original poster

Has anyone used melatonin for bruxism?

28 replies

brooo · 30/04/2020 22:33

I've developed bruxism a couple of years ago and my sleep is basically messed up massively. I used to sleep like a log. A bomb could go off and I wouldn't even know. Sleep was brilliant and I'd wake in the morning feeling refreshed.

Now I wake up really really tired as though I've not had a wink. My neck and back ache and im just not getting that lovely deep refreshing sleep. I've not had a good night's sleep in over 2 years.

Ive bought some melatonin. It's just a small dose 1mg to to see if it'll help my sleep issues and wondered if anyone else has tried it.

OP posts:
notsureneversure · 30/04/2020 22:35

Sorry for going off topic but have you got a mouthguard from the dentist? Mine has helped enormously (no jaw pain etc). I’m wary of melatonin as I have a history of depression.

woodencoffeetable · 30/04/2020 22:36

melatonin helps you fall asleep but I don't think it does much for quality of sleep.
have you tried a mouth guard and relaxation techniques?

caramac04 · 30/04/2020 22:37

Where did you buy melatonin from? (Misses point)

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Original poster
brooo · 30/04/2020 22:41

notsureneversure yes sorry I forgot to add that I do have a mouthguard which prevents my teeth becoming damaged but hasn't reduced the actual clenching / grinding I do. Has your mouthguard reduced your bruxism?

OP posts:
Original poster
brooo · 30/04/2020 22:44

woodencoffeetable yes I even went to a hypnotherapist where id feel fabulously relaxed by the end of the session but could never replicate that at home;

OP posts:
CubixRube · 30/04/2020 22:45

I had to look up bruxism.

I grind my teeth round the clock. I would suggest a mouthguard but only if you could get it properly fitted; the nhs gave me one when I qualified for support but they wouldn't adjust it and it rubs me and makes me gag.

I take melatonin because I have adhd and I don't make enough of it. You can't buy it otc in the UK but you can in the states.

It helps ME massively, but that's because I don't make it and have never had the 'signal' in my body which tells me when to sleep or wake.

Do you get TMJ pain? Mine gets atrocious and is worse if I'm not sleeping. If you can see a GP, do.

TheCraicDealer · 30/04/2020 22:46

I have bruxism and a mouthguard but luckily my sleep quality isn't really impacted. I haven't heard about anyone using melatonin, but I did hear that people who suffer badly from it can get Botox to relax the muscles in your jaw. That's if the usual techniques to help with stress and anxiety don't offer any relief, obviously. If the melatonin doesn't help that might be your next option.

Toddlerteaplease · 30/04/2020 22:48

I use melatonin occasionally and many special needs kids have it. I don't think 1mg will be nearly enough. And it won't help your bruxism. I find that it's good at getting me off to sleep, but I don't stay asleep.

Toddlerteaplease · 30/04/2020 22:49

My friend gave me some from America. I tried to get my parents to bring me some more home with the last year. I think they thought I was getting Them to import illegal drugs!

FinnsLeftSpoon · 01/05/2020 00:13

My DS, who works a lot of nights, swears by it.

I've used it too. Helps me get to sleep sometimes but not to stay asleep

rosiethehen · 01/05/2020 00:29

I've started taking it, but just a small dose otherwise I feel groggy the following day. I also have adhd and I got so fed up with being up all night. I also have bruxism and wear a mouth guard overnight. You have to keep wearing the mouth guard otherwise you can damage your teeth.

Blossom513 · 01/05/2020 00:42

There are two types or melatonin, one is a quick release which helps you to fall asleep, I think this only has a half life of a couple of hours. My toddler has it as he has no vision/light perception so can't produce melatonin naturally. If he wakes up a few hours later then he is awake for hours because it's worn off. His dose has varied 2-6mg so I'm not convinced 1mg would do much in an adult.

Older children/adults can take a slow release melatonin which is meant to help you stay asleep all night but I've no experience of that one. (He has to be able to swallow the tablet whole to be slow release).

Original poster
brooo · 01/05/2020 04:55

Blossom513 I have the slow release one. I've used it today first time and I've stayed asleep from 10.30 till now. I still feel tired but it is still quite early in the morning.

I might try 2mg tomorrow and see how I go. I often wake up between 2 and 3am and can't get back to sleep.

Mouthguards don't help me to stop the bruxism but at least they protect my teeth from damage.

OP posts:
ArriettyJones · 01/05/2020 05:04

Where did you buy melatonin from? (Misses point)

Personally, Prague.

It does nothing for my - thankfully occasional - bruxism.

blueskys72 · 01/05/2020 05:24

Melatonin - from Biovea

Porridgeoat · 01/05/2020 05:31

Not all melatonin is equal. Yes to 1mg being small dose for an adult

Original poster
brooo · 01/05/2020 05:47

I was a bit nervous using it so just tried 1mg! My problem is more staying asleep which is why I bought the slow release one. I am pretty exhausted by the end of the day and very quickly fall asleep due to sheer exhaustion!

OP posts:
Zoflorabore · 01/05/2020 08:03

You can also buy melatonin over the counter in Spain.

It makes me incredibly woozy the next day and I’m used to taking very strong prescription painkillers. Doesn’t work for me.

Zoflorabore · 01/05/2020 08:04

Just to add my problem is that I can get to sleep but can’t stay asleep.

Nooch · 01/05/2020 08:13

1mg is a tiny amount. My teen is prescribed 6mg. It helps fall asleep but it's not the same as a sleeping tablet. You still need good sleep hygiene (which teen does not follow!).

Nooch · 01/05/2020 08:14

It does also help them stay asleep but I don't think 1mg will do much. We started on 2mg, then 4 now 6.

justanotherneighinparadise · 01/05/2020 08:19

What sort of mouth guard do you have OP? the best one for me (I clench at night) is the sort that only fits over my front four teeth. It’s excellent as I can’t get my back teeth together at all so cuts out the ability to clench.

I do wake up sometimes dreaming and clacking my mouth guard against my bottom teeth like a bloody bird, but that’s all I can do 🤣

FeelTheRush · 01/05/2020 08:39

You can buy melatonin OTC where I am - I use it occasionally when I’m jet lagged or going through a patch of not sleeping well. I find it’s helpful although I can feel a bit groggy the next morning. I use 5mg and think you can buy up to 10mg OTC here so you should be fine to increase your dose if you need it.

Original poster
brooo · 01/05/2020 09:51

Well I managed to fall asleep again for a couple of hours which is what I struggle with. Usually I'd wake up at 2-3am then really really struggle to fall asleep properly. I'd just be in bed tired with mt eyes closed! so today was definitely an improvement but it did take me an hour or so to actually fall asleep again. Not sure if it's coincidence though!

justanotherneighinparadise does your guard sit over the top.teeth or bottom?

OP posts:
EasyPleasey · 01/05/2020 10:51

I've got a mouth guard and it has saved my teeth a lot I think...I haven't noticed the bruxism affecting my sleep

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