Origin: A hormone produced by the pineal gland, which is located at the base of the brain.
Dosage: Capsules or tablets; 1 mg to 5 mg at bedtime for insomnia, for no longer than two weeks.
Claims: Aids sleep and treats jet lag.
What we know: A potent antioxidant, melatonin regulates sleep/wake cycles. It appears to treat insomnia and sleep disturbances related to conditions like fibromyalgia and depression. Aspirin and other NSAIDs can decrease melatonin levels.
Studies: A systematic review of studies shows no evidence that melatonin effectively treats sleep disorders or is useful for altered sleep patterns, such as from shift work or jet lag. However, there is evidence that it is safe with short-term use. Another review of studies showed that melatonin reduced the onset of sleep by four minutes and increased the duration of sleep by nearly 13 minutes; another showed that people taking melatonin slept almost 30 minutes longer than people taking placebo.
Higher doses or long-term usage require doctor supervision. Certain medications interact with it, including NSAIDs, beta-blockers, antidepressants, diuretics and vitamin B-12 supplements. Do not take melatonin with alcohol or caffeine, and do not use if you have an autoimmune disease or if you have depression, kidney disease, epilepsy, heart disease or leukemia.
Look up Circadin and the words "back pain" in google. You will find many websites with the information stating that 1 out of 10 taking this med in the UK are reporting back pain. The main ingredient in the med is melatonin!!!
Joanne, it sounds like you are taking melatonin to ease your insomnia due to your pain, but it's the melatonin that's giving you the pain. Stop melatonin immediately.
The FDA will not approve melatonin for prescription due to serve side effects.
Have you tried sam-e? It helps alot! Its for joints and mood.
1) I take 10mg per night... some nights it works great - other nights I feel like it makes me "wired" and cant's get to sleep.
2) Whatare the long term issues? I see the warnings everywhere but I have never a "source".
3) I am on a NASID - Arthrotec, what "interactions" might I expect or be concerned about.
4) How have other reduced the pain of Inflamation in order to get a good nights sleep-
Thanks
You have fibromyalgia and Sjogren's, both are autoimmune diseases (I have lupus and Sjogren's). If you read the above info on Melatonin, they state that you should not take it if you have an autoimmune disease. That warning is usually only given if a product increases the immune response, which a person with autoimmune disease wants to prevent. Please do additional research on Melatonin before you start using the product, it could do more harm than good.
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