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Melatonin. Has anyone tried this, for Insomnia?

(47 Posts)
Agnieszka Thu 05-Jun-25 03:46:36

Hello Ladies
I am a chronic Insomniac, and have been for most of my adult life.
I am sure this condition has impacted my Blood Pressure and also the frequency of Migraine with Aura.
I am considering Melatonin tablets, as I feel I have exploited every other avenue available to me.
I am wondering if any of you, have already some experience of this medication, which you would be willing to share?
Thank you for reading and I would be grateful for your comments.
Kind regards
Thank you
Agnieszka x

SpanielCuddler Sat 07-Jun-25 15:03:57

As a PP has mentioned Melatonin is often prescribed for children with SEN especially autism.
Lots of children I worked with were on it and many parents swore by it. It is usually intended to help children get into a sleep routine.
I bought a Snoozeband to help me to get to sleep and when waking in the night. You may have already tried? I can highly recommend.

Readandcook Sat 07-Jun-25 15:33:07

I haven’t tried Melatonin but do use Phenergan 25mgs occasionally. It is a medication for hayfever but also has a sedating property to it.
I find it really effective and can be bought from online pharmacies.

icanhandthemback Sat 07-Jun-25 15:33:19

I am going to buy some for my adult son to see if they help him. My daughter uses them for her children and has had great success.

Volunteer77 Sat 07-Jun-25 15:47:16

I suffered from insomnia and had a blood test which showed that I was foliate deficient. Prescribed 4 month course of folic acid. Now sleeping so much better

Nannan2 Sat 07-Jun-25 15:47:50

My sons had this on prescription from the hospital a few years ago, but the gp couldnt give them it as they were kids then & it could only be done by hospital.One had the syrup, other had tablet form.But after a while it stopped working, and consultant said it often does.

Nannan2 Sat 07-Jun-25 15:50:24

Icanhandthemback- i hope for the children these are gp or consultant prescribed? As even phenergen shouldnt be given to kids without medical advice

Nandalot Sat 07-Jun-25 16:00:53

DGS, 14 who is autistic, has it prescribed by the sleep clinic. I think it used to help a bit but has absolutely no effect now and he is usually awake till about three and often the whole night.

Bestgrammaever Sat 07-Jun-25 16:16:19

I live in the US. We can buy melatonin at grocery stores here. I use it almost daily as it mimics our natural body production of the substance. The ability of our bodies to produce melatonin decreases as we age,

GrammarGrandma Sat 07-Jun-25 16:52:38

It doesn't work for me but does for my daughter. We live in the UK and had to get it when in the US as not available otc here.

MayBee70 Sat 07-Jun-25 16:56:09

Is it ok to bring melatonin back from Australia? My SIL works abroad a lot. He used to have some melatonin gummies that I used to take when I was house sitting. I think he brought them back from America.

JacquiOh Sat 07-Jun-25 17:09:49

Another thing to try is the 4-7-8 method. This was taught us by a doctor during a med school lecture. It is quite simple.
Inhale a breath over a count of four
Hold the breath for a count of seven
Exhale through the mouth over a count of 8.

It resets something apparently. I have no idea what but it works for me after a couple of cycles.

Mirren Sat 07-Jun-25 17:49:45

I'm a GP. If you're reading that we can prescribe Melatonin ,please be aware this is not the case in all areas.
I work in Northumberland.
Here ,prescribing this is only under a Shared care arrangement with a psychiatrist.
Until this arrangement is in place the computer will tell me it is a Green drug and will not let me proceed with the process.

Lovecatssomuch Sat 07-Jun-25 19:20:47

Night shift worker here. My handy hint is to try the military method. Do it for 3 months before saying it doesn't work. It's like muscle memory and like learning scales when learning a musical instrument. Other handy hint is try the non non drowsy antihistamines. The ones that don't mention being non drowsy. Also pillow sprays etc although I'm sure you already tried these already but thought I'd say. I use everything so it's hard to tell what works 😁

zipperdedoda Sun 08-Jun-25 00:14:53

I was a chronic insomniac until about three months ago.

I have an autoimmune disease which makes me very itchy apart from other things and I have been known to scratch all night long.
As a last resort my GP prescribed melatonin but when I read the contraindications it said do not take if you have any autoimmune disease so please do not take this medication without consulting a GP and reading the notes. It is not sold over the counter in the UK for a reason. And I certainly would not be giving it to a child without it being supervised by a doctor.
I now take a sleep tea Clipper Sleep Time to bed with me and it has been knocking me out. I only bought it as the Pukka sleep tea I have been having for years got so expensive I tried this one. Best thing ever!

JennyCee Sun 08-Jun-25 08:57:51

Lovescatsomuch. What is the Military Method??
Good to talk about it but as a insomniac of 13 years would like to hear about it and how its done please?

Nona4ever Sun 08-Jun-25 11:06:48

I’m in the UK and buy Melatonin online.
It works for me, with no side effects, but I have to take it about a couple of hours before bedtime as it takes a while to kick in.

Agnieszka Mon 09-Jun-25 07:32:13

Hello again,Ladies
Thank you all so much, for your comments.
Most seem to favour the use of this product, which gives me the reassurance that I needed to try it for myself.
I noticed that a few Posters have mentioned buying Melatonin from an Online Source.
Could those ladies please advise me on the safest company to buy from?
It feels a bit edgy and a bit naughty to purchase medication online......but then again I am in desperate need of a good night's sleep!!!!!
Anyway, thank you all for taking the time to respond, and I wish you many sleep-filled nights to come.
Kind regards
Agnieszka x

EmilyHarburn Tue 10-Jun-25 11:53:47

Ibuy my melatonin from an online supplier in the USA called piping rock. Prices are very reasonable and I get 3 bottles at a time. they come by post and do not at present attract any duty.

www.webmd.com/vitamins-and-supplements/ss/slideshow-melatonin-overview?ecd=wnl_spr_042825&ctr=wnl-spr-042825_lead_cta&mb=ypkAdVmorLbPJRYSIVo%40%40eHnVev1imbCqOUymtOtmmI%3d

If this link works it tells you a bit about the safest use of melatonin.

Ibelonghere Thu 12-Jun-25 14:43:11

Sorry to hear you are suffering with Insomnia Angieszka. I can relate, especially as I am a long term migraine sufferer. 2 years ago, my GP prescribed me with a 12 week course of slow release melatonin. I can get to sleep ok but I cannot stay asleep. The melatonin changed my sleep no end, to the point I now buy it when I go abroad as the GP can’t prescribe it. It has really helped my migraines too. I only get 1-2mg. You can definitely get higher strengths in the USA -10mg but I can’t imagine how anybody would stay awake during the day on that dose.
If anybody can have side effects from medication, I can but other a better sense of well being because I have had a better nights sleep, I can’t say that I have had any. Good luck. If you try it, I really hope it helps.

Labradora Thu 12-Jun-25 19:23:05

I swear by this being sometimes a fitful sleeper and being someone who turns into an axe murderess if short of sleep.
It knocks me out but has none of the " hungover" side effects of pharmaceutical sleeping tablets.
I'm in France where it is sold over the counter without prescription. I have 1mg capsules; 1.9 mg tablets and 1.9mg slivers/ wafers that dissolve on the tongue.
I rarely take even the full 1 mg , cutting a sliver off the tongue"wafers".
No side effects of any kind for me.

Floradora9 Thu 12-Jun-25 21:32:56

You can buy melatonin patches in the UK . I found they did nothing for me .