Melatonin to battle 3rd shift insomnia

[livingsober]

Hi gang. I recently started working third shift (midnight to 08:00am), and am finding it difficult to get enough sleep during the day. I have the ability to make my apartment pitch dark during daylight hours, but my body just doesn't seem to be willing to sleep for any more than a couple of hours at a stretch. I have been hearing a lot of people touting the benefits of melatonin, and I am asking for any advice / feedback that you can give me. As my screen name indicates, I am in recovery, (19 months) from a crack addiction, but I have never heard ir read anything about melatonin being behavioral or addictive. Is there a recommended form (tablet, capsule, powder, liquid), synthetic, pure animal, etc. Any help would be appreciated. Thank you.

[Suri123]

Hi, it’s nice to hear from you about the experience of taking Melatonin and its effects on the very first dose. Since it is a natural product, you need to be aware of any side effects of the drug although most of them do not have. Also you need to know of any interaction with food and of possible adverse effects on ceasing to take the drug. It might be good idea to take self-medication if it is serving the purpose but it is always better to consult your doctor before starting on any self-medication. Keep posting about your thoughts and progress. Take care.

[livingsober]

Well, as per my last post, I took a 3mg capsule of synthetic melatonin just before the end of my shift this morning. I took it (about 1 1/2 hr. after my supper) at 7:45 this morning, and went to bed at 8:35am. I fell asleep almost immediately, and when I woke up at 10:30 this morning I thought "Oh well. It didn't work". Then I realized that it was simply a full bladder that woke me up. I fell asleep again almost immediately after returning to bed, and woke up very well rested at 4:45 pm this afternoon. Now, I admit this is longer than I would like to sleep, but I think that I have been without a good 'days' sleep for so long that my body had some catching up to do. There have been no discernable negative effects - no grogginess, fuzzy - head, or 'hang over' like symptoms. I have had more energy at work so far tonight than I can remember having for quite some time. Now, I should mention that I am in very good health, and that I take NO other medications. In the last 20 months, a couple of  ibuprofen (rarely) and caffiene (daily) is all that has been in my system. So, while I can't go so far as to give a blanket recommendation, I can say that in my case AND so far, melatonin is working exactly as I had heard that it would. I will continue to give updates as to the continued effectiveness, though likely not on a daily basis. I will check in daily (or should I say nightly) though. Cheers!

[Suri123]

Hi, thanks for your reply. Sure, I hope you to do better. Please go through the label for any precautions or special instructions if you are taking this medication for first time. In case of any untoward event, stop further doses and consult a doctor. Your feed back will be great info for some of readers in this section who may be suffering from similar problems. Take care.

[livingsober]

Thank you for the reply. I spoke to a pharmacist, and will be trying a 3mg dose this morning. I will let you know my opinion of how it worked, and any pro's / con's that I experience as a result, when I come back to work tonight. Thanks again.
                                                                                                          livingsober

[Suri123]

Hi, how are you doing. There are not many studies which gives a fair credit to use of Melatonin, which is available in two forms natural (extracted from animal pineal gland) and synthetic form at many food stores and drug stores without a doctor’s prescription. Melatonin has been given to persons with jet lag and if taken orally during non-typical sleep times, highly improves an individual’s ability to sleep like those individuals who have frequent shift changes. You need to consult sleep specialist for an advise rather than relying on other non promising info of whatsoever source. Take care.