I Hate Dialysis Message Board

Dialysis Discussion => Dialysis: General Discussion => Topic started by: Desert Dancer on August 31, 2011, 12:10:30 AM

Title: Melatonin?
Post by: Desert Dancer on August 31, 2011, 12:10:30 AM

I'm going to go insane if I don't get some sleep soon.

I mean, I've had bouts of insomnia in the past. Maybe a few nights a month here and there over the years. But now for some reason, I haven't been able to sleep in months. No matter how exhausted I am I just lie in bed for hours before I give up and get up. Of course, dialysis nights are hellish because I'm tethered to the machine and let's face it, you can only read so much sometimes. I've tried Benadryl, something that used to work for me in the past and... well, here I am, two hours later and still awake.

So I'm considering my options. I've heard that melatonin works wonders. Has anybody tried it? Is it true? Can dialysis patients take melatonin? I'm trying to avoid any of the Big Pharma solutions, so things like Ambien and Lunesta are frankly not even under consideration.

Does dialysis cause insomnia in some way?

Title: Re: Melatonin?
Post by: Adam_W on August 31, 2011, 08:49:35 AM

I use it, and it works great! I've had major insomnia since I started dialysis, and a friend suggested I try melatonin, and it worked way better then I expected. I've been using it for about a year now and I've had very few nights where I've had trouble sleeping.

Title: Re: Melatonin?
Post by: Desert Dancer on August 31, 2011, 11:13:22 AM

Quote from: Adam_W on August 31, 2011, 08:49:35 AM

I use it, and it works great! I've had major insomnia since I started dialysis, and a friend suggested I try melatonin, and it worked way better then I expected. I've been using it for about a year now and I've had very few nights where I've had trouble sleeping.

Oh, thank you, thank you, THANK YOU! That's just what I was hoping to hear. How much of it do you take, if you don't mind my asking? I know it comes in several different strengths. Is it something you take every day with your regular pills, or do you take it just before bed?

Title: Re: Melatonin?
Post by: kamar55 on August 31, 2011, 05:11:54 PM

I was going crazy from insomnia and started taking melatonin which usually helps. I usually take either 3 or 5mg tablets about a half hour before bed. I  tried the 10mg capsules which I didn't like. I also rely on Motrin PM and a product like Unisom to help. I wait for the half price or b1g1 sales and stock up. Almost nothing like a good night's sleep.  :thumbup;

Title: Re: Melatonin?
Post by: Pam on August 31, 2011, 05:24:43 PM

My neighbor swears by melatonin. I'm going to try it tonight. Rite Aid has it buy one get one free.Fingers crossed it works!
Pam

Title: Re: Melatonin?
Post by: Adam_W on August 31, 2011, 06:25:01 PM

I always take a 5mg about an hour before bed with my other evening meds. I've never tried the 10mg, but the 5mg works great, so I'll just stick with that.

Title: Re: Melatonin?
Post by: Desert Dancer on September 01, 2011, 09:43:57 AM

Thanks, everyone! I'm going to buy some tomorrow. Keep your fingers crossed!

Title: Re: Melatonin?
Post by: Brightsky69 on September 01, 2011, 11:08:02 AM

I totally feel for you. When I was on PD I would get maybe an hour and a half of sleep then have to get up and go to work. It made for a miserable time/life. I was ready for disability mainly due to the fact I couldn't sleep while on dialysis. 
I think dialysis does disrupt sleep...period. On the weekends when I could get off PD and sleep in - I had no trouble sleeping when I was unhooked.

I hope the melatonin works  :bow;  :pray;

Title: Re: Melatonin?
Post by: monrein on September 01, 2011, 01:12:45 PM

http://www.melatoninfaq.com/

I'd check with my doctor first.  There is some caution about use by people with kidney disease among others and also about potential interaction with prescription drugs such as BP meds. 

I do take some supplements but only after consultation with a conservative naturopath and my neph.

Title: Re: Melatonin?
Post by: Desert Dancer on September 01, 2011, 02:53:16 PM

Quote from: monrein on September 01, 2011, 01:12:45 PM

http://www.melatoninfaq.com/

I'd check with my doctor first.  There is some caution about use by people with kidney disease among others and also about potential interaction with prescription drugs such as BP meds. 

I do take some supplements but only after consultation with a conservative naturopath and my neph.

Thanks for the link, Monrein. I'll certainly check with my neph first - it's probably a good idea no matter what supplements you want to take. There's no telling how any of them might impact someone on dialysis.

Title: Re: Melatonin?
Post by: sullidog on September 01, 2011, 07:06:24 PM

the problem is when I take sleep aids I am drowsey the next day and I work.

Title: Re: Melatonin?
Post by: Riki on September 01, 2011, 07:58:38 PM

I've used melatonin, and it's been hit or miss.  I was prescribed Lunesta once, and I only took it once.  It worked so well, it scared me.  I'm a vivid dreamer, and I had no dreams that night.  I knew I was asleep, but everything was just black.  If I have trouble sleeping, I tend to lay off the caffeine for a few days, or take a couple of extra strength tylenol, though I only do that in extreme cases. When I was working, I would take anything I had on hand that would give me even a few hours sleep. I got to a point where I had to stop