Melatonin: Yea, Nay, or other

[Rcgop]

I am considering taking melatonin possibly for the wrong reason. On the positive side, my machine is well adjusted and my stats are excellent. AHI<.5 and leaks 0-7. 8 hours on the CPAP each night. Sleep quality is very good. 

My only problem is that I wake up several times a night. Probably after each sleep cycle because I feel rested in the morning. This makes for a long night. Especially if I can’t get back to sleep in the morning after 5 or 6 hours. 

My goal is to link cycles together.

[Crimson Nape]

Of all things, Doctor Marc Segal was on Fox News talking about the use of melatonin, but for another reason.  This is a paraphrased version of his report.

"Our bodies naturally produce melatonin.  As we age, its production diminishes.  Senior citizens may benefit for taking melatonin to supplement the lower production levels.  The problem is when parents use melatonin in order to get their children to sleep.  Continued use in a child can affect the natural production long term."

Based on his report, I don't see a problem taking melatonin. . . Especially if your age exceeds the national speed limit.

- Red

[Sleeprider]

Can't hurt. I use it sometimes when I have chronic awakening

[G. Szabo]

I have been using 5 mg extended release before bedtime for a long time. I have not had any issues with it.

[Homerec130]

My wife takes melatonin each night before she sleeps. Seems to work for her and she suffers from chronic pain. BTW, she is also on a BiPap.

[HalfAsleep]

I have taken melatonin for years. I now take .3 mg an hour or two before I want to go to sleep, then 5 mg before I want to actually fall asleep. I’m not sure if melatonin would help you link sleep segments, though… I still wake up in the night.

Maybe even .3 mg would help if you wake up and can’t get back to sleep? I’ve also tried a 1 mg in that situation. It’s just enough to make me go back to sleep without making me tired in the morning.

Melatonin takes experimentation ‘til you get the right thing for you.

[grubsztyl]

I'm a GP based in Poland. In my experience melatonin only helps patients whose sleeping time is varied, for instance if they work both day and night shifts.

For nighttime awakenings I find that trazodone is excellent and safe. Preferably controlled-release in very low doses. If there's a 75 mg tablet available, use 1/3 before sleeping. This is, however, short-term solution and needs to be consulted with your physician.

[G. Szabo]

Melatonin has an additional benefit: it reduces IOP. Elevated  IOP is the primary cause of glaucoma, and OSA is a risk factor for glaucoma. CPAP treatment significantly increases IOP. 

Hence, if you have OSA, you have a higher risk for glaucoma, and the most common OSA treatment increases your chance of developing/worsening glaucoma.

[robbob2112]

I'm a GP based in Poland. In my experience melatonin only helps patients whose sleeping time is varied, for instance if they work both day and night shifts.

For nighttime awakenings I find that trazodone is excellent and safe. Preferably controlled-release in very low doses. If there's a 75 mg tablet available, use 1/3 before sleeping. This is, however, short-term solution and needs to be consulted with your physician.

I second trazodone... when I take melatonin it give me diarrhea no matter how small the dose.  Hydroxyzine also works well for me.  Both of these require a dr prescription, but are worth the trip.  Neither is addictive, both can become a mental habit where you have trouble a few nights if you want to stop.

[grubsztyl]

Hydroxyzine has an additional calming effect that can be useful in certain situations but unfortunately it often causes some patients to feel very groggy in the morning.. but not all. It also prolongs QT so needs to be used carefully in the elderly.