Melatonin?

[Desert Dancer]

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?

[Adam_W]

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.

[Desert Dancer]

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?

[kamar55]

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. 

[Pam]

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

[Adam_W]

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.

[Desert Dancer]

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

[Brightsky69]

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   

[monrein]

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.

[Desert Dancer]

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.

[sullidog]

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

[Riki]

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