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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by always_doing_laundry on July 21, 2008, at 17:03:12
Doc recommended melatonin, 600 mcg, daily at night (no term, just keep taking) for sleep. I go through periods of sleeping fine, then not at all, for no apparent reason, except I'm in mid-life and, therefore, subject to decreasing natural mel levels.
It seemed to work great. I also felt like I had especially improved mood, or maybe it was a sense of "calm," even though I read that the "half-life" is only a couple-to-five hours (though some people may be prone to storing/accumulating it in the liver).
At the same time, I suddenly had no period for 126 days. GP did a *huge* work-up for any- and everything, including menopause and thyroid. Thyroid levels had creeped nearer abnormal/hypo levels, yet I didn't feel symptomatic. Otherwise, all labs normal.
I didn't eat more. In fact, I was exercising lots more. In theory, I should have lost weight. But I gained weight ... 10 pounds. When I decided to drop the melatonin, period came back.
Now, I wonder if melatonin=thyroid function effect=weight gain ... and if weight will now return to baseline by itself, in absence of the supplement.
Online search showed, generally, melatonin shows promise for weight decrease in *male* rats but weight *increase* and "wintering behavior/weight gain" in *female* minks. I also note a study showing potential to block some weight gain among patients taking zyprexa ... while cancer patients with muscle-wasting gained weight/muscle mass, perhaps through improved appetite.
I also see that a synthetic form is in development for birth control. So, does mel have the same hormonal weight-gain potential of other oral contraceptives? Has anyone else gained weight on this supplement, especially at suggested and not a high dose?
I posted this on the alternatives board but received no replies. Thoughts, anyone?
Posted by Phillipa on July 21, 2008, at 17:15:33
In reply to Melatonin side effects, posted by always_doing_laundry on July 21, 2008, at 17:03:12
Just that I tried it years ago and had a feeling of not wanting to breathe so stopped it. This was before the melatonin scare. Hope someone shows up that can answer your questions good luck Phillipa
Posted by dbc on July 21, 2008, at 17:33:36
In reply to Re: Melatonin side effects » always_doing_laundry, posted by Phillipa on July 21, 2008, at 17:15:33
Melatonin is generally considered as safe as a sugar pill. You just lost the med side effect lottery in a huge way...i mean huge enough that someone should do a study of your case huge.
i've been taking it off and on for years and years and all it does is make me fall asleep easier.
Its terrible that it happened to you but in the end all we can say is "everyones brain is different and everything effects people differently" blahblah the same old song and dance.
Posted by always_doing_laundry on July 21, 2008, at 22:04:26
In reply to Re: Melatonin side effects » always_doing_laundry, posted by Phillipa on July 21, 2008, at 17:15:33
What is/was the melatonin "scare"?
And any idea of this interacts in any way with anti-convulsants (Lamictal, neurontin, clonazapam) ... all of which I have taken for a long time with no ... or nearly no ... side effects (counter to what many people report).
I also take (have taken for a long time) fairly decent doses of B12 and other B-vitamins for polyneuropathy and supplemental Calcium+D, Alpha-Lipoic Acid and Gamman Linoleic Acid (the latter two also, theoretically, for "B"-grade potential to help neuropathy).
Posted by Phillipa on July 22, 2008, at 19:48:32
In reply to Re: Melatonin side effects, posted by always_doing_laundry on July 21, 2008, at 22:04:26
Long time ago they pulled off the market in the USA as some bad batches I think from overseas. So long ago don't remember. Wonder if google would have any infor history? Phillipa
Posted by yxibow on July 24, 2008, at 23:52:11
In reply to Re: Melatonin side effects, posted by dbc on July 21, 2008, at 17:33:36
> Melatonin is generally considered as safe as a sugar pill. You just lost the med side effect lottery in a huge way...i mean huge enough that someone should do a study of your case huge.
>
> i've been taking it off and on for years and years and all it does is make me fall asleep easier.
>
> Its terrible that it happened to you but in the end all we can say is "everyones brain is different and everything effects people differently" blahblah the same old song and dance.
Mm... not quite a sugar pill. Remember its a hormone so it can cause depression and other effects in a certain population.I took 5mg once which is about the highest you see in health stores typically and I had the worst nightmares ever, I was freaking out.
As they say, your miles may vary.
There's always Ramelteon.
-- Jay
This is the end of the thread.
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