Trouble Sleeping.

Every week, I have a night where I have trouble sleeping, and I take a melatonin pill.

Could I become dependent on it?

Eventually.

How long has this been going?

Beata

I started taking them in 2010.

I used to take them once a month. Then, once every two months. Then, once every two weeks. Now, once a week.

@vg_addict: Yikes. That is not good.

What is it like without your scheduled pill? You can't sleep at all?

Beata

@spidey_jackson: I don't know. When I have trouble sleeping, I just take a pill.

Will it stop working one night?

My best, honest advice: go see your physician.

Self medication is rarely the best approach.

Yeah, Melatonin can do that to you, from what I hear.

Try seeing your doctor about actual sleeping pills.

@bullpr: My doctor was the one who suggested the melatonin.

Actually, they're sleep formula pills. They have 1.5 mgs of melatonin.

Now I'm worried that they'll stop working and I'll be up all night. I'm also worried that I've stopped naturally producing melatonin.

@squares: Sorry to double post, but what do you mean melatonin can do that?

I can't take sleeping pills, because I already take medication for my ADHD.

@vg_addict: In a way. You'll need more and more of the hormone over time. And since it can be harmful, that's bad.

Beata

@spidey_jackson: Then what am I supposed to do? Stop taking it, and be up all night?

Also, I've been taking the same amount all this time, and it still works.

From what I've heard, melatonin is a naturally occurring chemical in the human body that stimulates sleep (or something). When you start taking enough melatonin pills, supposedly your body just stops producing it. I'm not really sure if that's the case or not.

Dude, the ADHD medication is likely what's causing your sleeplessness, and I'm betting most doctors would agree with me on that (that is, assuming you're taking the typical stimulants). As long as the ADHD medication doesn't interfere with the sleeping pills (which it shouldn't, I think, but I'm no expert) I see absolutely no reason you shouldn't get them.

Sleeping disorders are a real issue. We have a whole department specialized on that.

You should go back to your Dr.

Sometimes, a few little changes in your way of life can be the best treatment.

Don't let it start to impact your temper, work efficiency etc...

Seriously get an official and specialized opinion.

@squares: But what if my body's stopped producing melatonin?

@vg_addict: Frankly, yes. Or at least, not so frequently.

Do you drink alchohol or alot of caffeine?

Beata

@spidey_jackson: I drink 2 sodas a day.

But I don't want to stay up all night,

@vg_addict: Okay, that's seriously not likely, considering you take the pills once a week.

Then I guess I'm doomed.

@vg_addict: Cut the soda consumption down.

2 a day is not good. I'd bet my mom's pension that all that soda is a large part of your sleep issues.

Beata

@squares: But I've been taking them for 4-5 years.

@vg_addict: Yeah, I got that part, thanks.

There isn't an ADHD medication on the market that interferes with all sleeping pills available. Talk to your doctor.

I'm just so worried about this.

I'm worried that if I don't take my melatonin on a night where I have trouble sleeping, I'll be up all night.

Maybe my problem is that I panic if I'm not asleep in 20-30 minutes.

@vg_addict: Maybe it's the anxiety?

Beata

But what if I've messed up my sleep with the melatonin?

@vg_addict: Try to cut back on the melatonin and the soda. Then set up a sleep schedule for yourself.

Beata

I've started exercising during the day, and getting off the computer before bed, and that seems to help, though it's only been 3 weeks since I started that, and 2 weeks ago, I had trouble sleeping because I was sick. The first two nights I tried that, I slept well, and I slept well all week last week. I also slept well Sunday. But last night, I had to take a pill.

Go pee.Even if you dont want to.
Trust me,i'm not joking,i had the same problem.

I've started making a sleep diary, to give to my doctor.

Go to your doctor man. Mine put me on trazodone for my insomnia. Works fine so far.

@vg_addict: You're not listening anymore, are you?

@pizzaman: Oh, mine too. Works like a charm.

Not listening to what?

@vg_addict: I told you, there's nothing on the market that would interact with every type of sleeping pill available. Go talk to a doctor and stop worrying.

I can't sleep at all. I literally go as long as I can until I become so worn out, that I just pass out. Heck as I'm typing this I've been awake for 18-22 hours.

@squares: Insomnibuddies!!!

I'm pretty sleepy right now. I should sleep well tonight.

@vg_addict: Good.

Beata

Do you think worrying if I'm not asleep in 20-30 minutes could be part of the problem?

@vg_addict: Yes. The anxiety.

Beata

I'm always perplexed that users would ask such questions on a comic book forum.

I used to take melatonin because I heard it wasn't possible to become dependent on it, but I've found that's not entirely true. For me, it got to the point where I had an extremely hard time getting to sleep without it. I eventually tapered off it, and I'm so glad I did. Reading a college textbook works wonders when I'm having a hard time falling asleep. But whatever you do, get off melatonin.

I slept well last night.

It's funny how a simple change in your lifestyle, like exercising and getting off the computer an hour before bed, can help your sleep.

This. I'm having a pretty big trouble sleeping as well (but for different reasons)

There's a very easy solution, get a second opinion.

Do you think exercising during the day and getting off the computer an hour before bed sounds like it's helping?

The only time it didn't seem to work was Friday 3 weeks ago.

I've had trouble sleeping for literally my entire life. The endless hours lying awake alone with nothing but my thoughts have slowly driven me mad.

I took a pill last night.

I woke up at 2, and didn't go back to sleep until 4. Does that mean it's starting to lose its effectiveness?

Seriously, see another doctor and get a second opinion from them.