Beating jet lag - melatonin/anti histamines etc?

[Curlybrunette]

Hello,

I wondered if any of you have tried supplements/drugs to help beat jet lag? I was reading an article recently that talked about this and with a trip to the US coming up soon I was thinking about trying something.
What I'd like is to overcome is the falling asleep but then waking up after 4 hours and not being able to get back to sleep.
The article suggested:
Anti histamines,
Melatonin
Valerian root

Any advice/thoughts much appreciated!

Hey thanks

I take melatonin, bloody brilliant stuff. You can’t OD on it as it’s not a sleeping tablet, but it’s the hormone you need for sleep. We all take it.

Oh thank you that sounds fab. I'll get some :-)

Definitely melatonin but you need to make sure you get the real thing, not a synthetic one. You can buy it over the counter in the US, we need a prescription for it here (Aus).

I always use melatonin and it works for me.

I buy Boots over the counter sleeping tablets. Originally got them for sleeping on flights, but sadly they don't help with that, however I take them for the first 2-3 nights at destination and on return and it really helps to ease back into normal sleeping patterns. Got over my jet lag on arrival in NZ pretty much by the second day after a good nights sleep ( and this is after 36 hrs travelling and no sleep on the plane).

We buy melatonin in the States and use it for the kids (they have childrens supplements you can buy there over the counter). Its natural, non addictive and I only use it for night flights so they can sleep and when we get back to get them back into routine. However, I find the older I get, the longer it takes to beat it for myself. I always get it when coming back from anywhere.

One of the best tbings for beating jetlag is to make sure that you are hydrated. So drink lots of water!

Most people tend to drink less water as they,

a) dont want to keep asking for a tiny plastic cup of water.

b) dont want to keep having to go to the lavatory.

best for reducing jetlag I find is adjusting mealtimes to the new time zone from 12 hours before the flight.
i.e. you arrive at 10am local time. have breakfast at your usual time on the plane but nothing to eat 12 hours before that. have a dinner type meal 12 hours before new breakfast time. iyswim

if you decide to take medicines then try them before you fly.
you really don't want serious side effects up in the air.

Thanks everyone, I've ordered the melatonin and will try it before we go (yes unexpected side effects sound awful).

My mum always takes an empty 2L bottle of water through with her and fills it up once through security so I've started doing the same. Am never off the loo though!

I've tried everything else, and learnt that getting a nap on the plane is the only thing that helps me. Drinking booze can help get the nap.