Anyone used Melatonin to help with sleep issues? Having difficulty in getting back to sleep after 3 or 4 nightly toilet visits. Dr suggests that I try 2mg Melatonin for 13 weeks but not too sure if that will knock me out, and end up causing more issues if I don't wake to go to the toilet!!! Any comments / advice appreciated. Thanks.
Melatonin: Anyone used Melatonin to... - Advanced Prostate...
Melatonin
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StuartS
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I use melatonin to help with sleep issues. Not all melatonin is the same. I will send you a private message to give you the name of the product I use.
Which do you recommend. After Costco stopped selling schiff brand I’ve had difficulty achy sleep as many brands are not effective. Thanks kim
I like a brand called Mid-Nite. 2 tabs in the early evening. You can take additional tab late at night and still wake up refreshed.
Thanks!
Can't track down the product Mid-Nite in UK. There is a product called Rescue, which is essence extracted from White Chestnut Flowers, and appears to assist those suffering from sleep issues, though to date, not many have recommended this product.
Try Amazon
• in reply toMagnus1964
Hello Magnus1964! Could you pls advise the name of the melatonin you use?
Magnus1964• in reply to
It's not considered kosher to mention brands on the forum. I will send you a Chat with that information.
I went through sleep studies and all that bullshit!!! Ended up on a CPAP because ???? Yes I snored but slept very well before ADT and EBRT.
Anyway, that did not help (except for snoring(the wife is thankful)) but they said up to 10mg of Melatonin is completely safe. I found Nature’s Bounty, Duel Spectrum Melatonin 5mg Bi-Layer. One layer to fall asleep and one to keep asleep. This seamed to work better than the previous 4x2mg I started with.
Adding A/c for the hot flashes helped too!!!
Good luck
Jc
I use melatonin 5mg as needed for sleep. Never had trouble waking up to pee no matter the sleep aid. I'd use it more often, except that at the moment I'm taking other meds that induce sleep as a side effect and don't want to sedate myself any more than necessary.
One benefit of melatonin with prostate cancer is that it's rumored to help suppress the AR-V7 mutation that can cause castration resistance. If I recall correctly, at least one member is taking 40 mg a night for this reason.
Overall it seems to be one of the better choices in sleep aids.
• in reply totom67inMA
Higher doses are said to have cancer fighting properties . Try 20 mgs you might like it ?
Hi Tom..., Appreciate the information. I guess I will be limited to the dose prescribed by my GP. Though the link to suppressing AR-V7 appears to be an additional benefit!
• in reply toStuartS
Melatonin is over the counter so why do you feel limited to your GP's prescription? No prescription needed. Experiment and see what works for you. You can check online to see what interactions melatonin might have with other medications you are taking.
StuartS• in reply to
Hi WSO, A further check shows that Melatonin isn't technically banned in the UK- but it is classed as a medicine, and while it can be prescribed, it is only in a 2mg dose and is only for those over 55 who suffer from a short term sleep disorder. So, therefore, it cannot be purchased over the counter and a medical professional is required to allow use. This notice is dated 28 Jan 2019. Of course, there are other suppliers just across the water in France who are willing to supply to UK customers.
Dr Strum used to to recommend up to 20 mg of melatonin as an anti-cancer measure. Presently I am on 3mg. The body produces about 2.5mg in youngsters. Without it I can't sleep in an unfamiliar place like a hotel.
I use 5 to 10 mg of Melatonin plus a prescription med. The two combined work pretty well.
I have the same . Except for me it 7 per night. I take 4.5 naltrexone and 20 mgs melatonin prescribed by a Md naturalpathic .. some men take 40 mgs melatonin.. no matter what you take your urology will poke you awake . The important part is to be anle to go right back into deep sleep.. exercise promote sleep also . The melatonin and the naltrexone will take that anxiety and rolling around not beating able to sleep away . It helps me . I’m thinking about upping my dose to 40 mgs. I did it to see what happened one day last week . I Slept even better with the 50 mgs.I have wild dreams each and every night. Finning thru the jungle. Don’t know who’s chasing me ...but they haven’t caught me yet. I Don’t remember any of my active dreams the next day . Take care 💤
StuartS• in reply to
Whimpy-p..., Interesting read..., Thanks. In UK, melatonin is a controlled drug so I have to take the amount prescribed by my Dr. I guess I will give it a try and see how it goes, though, I would be looking for a quick side step in the jungle and wait to ambush whoever was chasing me!!
• in reply toStuartS
Sorry to hear about the U.K. restrictions..Melatonin is naturally produced inside of us . Crazy they limit it to you . Naturalpathics believe in a much higher dose . My nighttime adventures aren’t pretty . Between the night sweats and polo up to pee 7 times , running ftom whoever’s chasing me has become my routine for five years . 😂😂😂crazy business APC is . Take care
• in reply toStuartS
Can you order melatonin from Vitacost or Amazon? I wonder if they are restricted in shipping to the UK. Be a rebel.
StuartS• in reply to
Hi WSO
Obtaining the Melatonin is thankfully not the issue, as my local GP is happy to prescribe this for me and I get all medication free in Scotland. The main concern that I had was that the Melatonin might knock me out and cause more problems by me not making it to the toilet on time!!!. That fear has more or less been removed by first-hand info from Melatonin user's who responded on this site. Though I have no doubt that Melatonin could be shipped direct from the US, I think that UK customs might seize it!
monte1111• in reply to
Yes sir. When I do remember my dreams, I'm usually in an impossible situation. Wait, I'm in an impossible situation now! Maybe not? Friend just had 9 hour surgery for stomach / esophagus cancer Thursday. He's looking good. May have dodged the bullet! Hope everyone here can find the cure. Just as you did. I'll buy you a hamburger, if you pay me Tuesday.
Hi monte1111
You should join the j-o-h-n school of light hearted comedy
Sleep is a huge issue. Can tell from so many replies. I'm down to about 3 times now. First 2 I have a snack. Now listen to Spotify podcasts on 2 paired Echo's. Set timer for what I want. Works for me. I tried out for the j-o-h-n school of comedy. I was rejected and his ex-wife is now chasing me with a double bladed axe.
• in reply tomonte1111
Hahaha😂😂😂😂✌️
• in reply tomonte1111
I thought he was kidding about her?👏🏼👏🏼
• in reply tomonte1111
I have a friend that went they the same esophageal C.. he pulled thru . Good luck to your friend.. waking up from a nightmare and then going into a night sweat session is a charm. Try that 7 per night and you can see my night moves.
ADT affected my sleep. Tried Melatonin but it gave me weird weird dreams. Tried for a wk hoping I'd adjust. Didn't happen. Also tried OTC sleep meds. Nothing helped. Recently, i tried medical pot. Not smoking. Gummies. 20mg. Worked! Started about an hr before bed. Slept the entire night!! First time in year and a half while on Lupron. Good luck! Edinbaltimore
Hi EdinBmore..., Unfortunately..., can't legally obtain pot in UK at this time however, new government might change that but not holding my breath!!!
• in reply toEdinBmore
Go gummies!
My brother sends me his "specially made brownies" which include a certain amont of pot (not sure what the actual dosge is). I take one about an hour before hitting the sack....works like a charm and have not experienced any side affects whatsoever in the 2 years I've been on these brownies.......
• in reply toMaxBenjamin
Good brother!👍
• in reply toEdinBmore
Yeah I like those indica gummies. I take a 10 mg gummy and slice into 4 pieces and take just one 2.5 mg dose at night. It seems to work. If I take too big a dose I dream so furiously that my dreams wake me up.
I have had a few episodes of a little leakage at night after surgery and radiation and I am nervous about taking a big dose of Melatonin all at once. I want to make sure I wake up in time.
My routine is read a book for about 15 mins in bed which gets me drowsy and I fall asleep pretty quickly. I wake up 3 times a night to pee, and then aftereach time I bite off about 1/3 of a 15 mg chew-able Melatonin. That covers my 3 trips to pee a night and I fall back to sleep pretty quickly after each trip.
I too have some pretty vivid dreams, but for the most part I enjoy them. I wish my mind was that creative when I am awake!
• in reply tokeepinon
I hear ya!
Are the dreams you remember of a similar theme or different each night? Just interested.
different every night. not related in any way that I am aware of.
I take 5 mg of melatonin a night and I still don't sleep. PS I have heard to take it earlier in the evening, like two hours before bed time. It doesn't work like a sleeping pill and just knock you out.
You will get up. My research medical oncologist would take 5 -10 mg flying overseas for seminars. He recommended I do the same. Reason. If emergency, you’ll get up. I originally asked about Ambien. He said it emergency, I would no t get up.
I take 5-10 mg when needed.
GD
StuartS• in reply to
Hi GD
Many thanks for your response. This, along with other comments I have received has helped me move forward. I will be trying malatonin to see if it helps.
I use Amazon Echo smart speaker to play Ocean Sounds. Close my eyes and imagine the beach at night. Really helps after getting up to pee. Echo turns itself off.
Hi Kreg001
Thanks for your comments.
I too have tried using sounds and easy listening classical music in a bid to get to sleep. Normally works ok at first but then at around 01:30; 03:15; 04:50 and 06:40 it becomes a bit difficult to fiddle with the controls, and that just wakes me up more!!! I am going to try the melatonin.
• in reply tokreg001
There's an app for that on your iPhone. I think it is called 'Rain'. I need it for a touch of tinnitus such that absolute quiet is not good.
I ried melatonin years ago - I got nightmares, truly bizarre and vivid, reminding me of hallucinations I had when I had encephalitis as a kid - so it didn't give me good sleep. Didn't do well with 5-HTP either - knocks me out but again the dreams making me feel like I'm awake all night (but it's a naurally occuring amino acid that the body turns into serotonin among other things). Other herbal sleep aids did nothing for me. When I didn't take anything for sleep I'd wake up at like 3am and start having catastrophic thoughts, like "I'm doomed! I'm gonna die and not exist anymore!" and wind up petrified and enormously anxious and never get back to sleep. Told my regular doctor about it - waking up and not being able to get back to sleep - and he prescribed mirtazapine (Remeron). It's an anti-depressant mainly (and I already take bupropion), but it also can be a sleep aid, esp. for sleep disturbed by depression and anxiety (which PC has given me plenty of) and it's the only thing I've taken that allows me to get back to sleep without stressing - and that includes getting up to pee (and now that I'm hooked up to a CPAP I just keep a pee bottle next to the bed so I don't have to unhook and rehook myself, which would make me wake up more). The normal dose is 15mg, but that knocked me for a loop so I've been taking 7.5mg (half a pill) for a few years now and it's worked really well, haven't had any side effects once I adapted to it, which took a week or two.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mirta...
Hi kapakahi
Thanks for your comments. Would not have liked to have gone through what you have, and hopefully you are in a more settled place now. Although I have been most fortunate in that I have not unduly worried myself about my cancer, this is more due to fact that my wife (53 years married), developed dementia some 4 years ago and has gradually worsened over time. Nothing like having my mind focused away from my own issues! Intend to try melatonin and see where that gets me, hopefully a good nights sleep for once.
I take 20mg / nightly for the possible positive cancer effect. Have not noticed any effect on my sleep pattern.
Love your dog.
Hi Ramp7
Thanks for your input. Is that a merle Border you have there?
My constant sidekick is a 4 YO Border bitch (Islay). We do 4 or 5 miles a day across country and woodland, helping me keep reasonably fit. She is fantastic company, extremely intelligent, terrific entertainer and sooo spoiled..., but she gives so much more back in companionship and her eagerness to please just never stops.
Skye is a 3 year old Merle Border. Medium drive. I wish I had something more for her to heard other than chickens but she doesn't complain. Great for hikes and fly ball. In fact her birth day was on Valentines Day. And yes, awesome companion and friend to all. We truly do not deserve these fine partners. I hope to get up to 4 miles hiking this Spring.
One last thing, I recently read Jane McLelland's book, How to Starve Cancer, very interesting.
CBD oil works great for me.
Hi Nalakrats.
Many thanks for your input. I have found your regular contributions to this site interesting, and intend to investigate further the list of natural herbs you listed to see if I would benefit from any of them.
My main issue was what the effects would be in taking melatonin, as my GP was not too sure how it would affect my bladder signals when I need to 'ease springs' through the night. As I am taking tamulosin, that also has a bearing on the issue. Although the supply of melatonin is not an issue, I am aware that Amazon and other suppliers will supply melatonin direct from the US to UK customers, the problem would be at the UK customs end!
My original fears of taking melatonin and failing to wake when my bladder signals, have been put to rest by feedback from other contributors. My next course of action will be to see my local GP and arrange for a course of melatonin and see where that takes me. Dreams or not...., I am looking forward to getting a more restful night and not waking every morning feeling like I have been through a cycle in the spin-drier!
I Tried CBD oil without ANY THC and was pleasantly surprised with quality sleep and refrshed feeling in morning. Its somewhat expensive around $60 a month for a good brand but it does help.
I take 10mg (Swanson) several times a week. It does not seem to affect my sleep at all (guess I already sleep pretty well), and does not keep me from waking up to go pee, which typically happens once or twice a night.
I don't take anything to fall asleep, only one problem however, I keep dreaming that I'm sleeping...
Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.
j-o-h-n Saturday 02/15/2020 12:45 PM EST
I just knew that if I waited long enough j-o-h-n would be along with a quip. Thank you for not disappointing!!
And good luck, good health and good humor to you.....
• in reply toj-o-h-n
I've dreamed more than once that I was awake and couldn't fall asleep.
StuartS• in reply to
Cant quite get my mind round that!!! I think I need another single malt!!!
This one's on me....
What is the difference between a battery and whisky ?
A battery has a negative
side.
Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.
j-o-h-n Sunday 02/16/2010 10:07 PM EST
j-o-h-n• in reply to
Funny, cause a few times I fell asleep and dreamed that I couldn't wake up....
Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.
j-o-h-n Sunday 02/16/2020 8:23 PM EST
I have had great success with a product from Costco called Sleep Aid. I take 1/2 a pill before I want to go to sleep and then take 1/4 of a melatonin each time I wake up to pee in the night. Sees to work.
Some tolerate melatonin better than others.
I use a herbal cocktail to sleep (I'm a hardcore case - insomniac) which includes at least 20 mg of melatonin.
Melatonin hangovers might be an issue for some, but for me - not a problem.
A small dosage (less than 5 mg) should not become a big deal.
I doubt that it would be a negative for you.
Trying to fix your sleep cycle would be a good thing for your overall well being.
If melatonin doesn't work, there are other things to try that are non habit forming or addicting.
Some include ashwaganda, L-theanine, passion flower, magnesium (there are varied forms that you'd need to look at), valerian, hops flower, chamomille and a few others to consider.
Some of the herbals are blended to make a mix that offers some of them combined (see Amazon for example - herbal / sleep supplements).
They don't cost much to try and find out.
Hopefully, you'll find the right 'aid' to find some relief.
These 'combos' helped me a lot .....
Hi tce...,
I am in UK so not many US Costco medical products are replicated here. There are however many sleep products offered but product testimonials vary from very good to Rubbish! I am going to try the melatonin from my doctor and see how that works before I venture into the great sleep medication jungle!!
I take 2 10mg capsules before bed -- works great for me and no, I don't sleep through toilet trips 
StuartS: try a half slice of american or swiss cheese after you visit the bathroom. I find it quite effective at letting me get BACK to sleep. I use low salt, low calorie swiss; there'a an amino acid in the cheese that helps--for me.
herb s
I became addicted to extra sharp cheddar cheese with the saltiest crackers I could find when I was on chemo and trying to gain weight. (The salt was for sore throat which I blame on dexamethasone.) Didn't know about the amino acid. Sore throat is long gone. But still love them crackers and cheese after nighttime visits to bathroom. This is from someone who once said never eat crackers in bed. Ok. No jokes. And I don't like Black Russians. Thanks for the laugh Nal. And Happy Anniversary to you and the wife!
Hmm... Hey Monte, I thought I was the one with early morning cheesy habits (although, reflecting on some of my posts, it makes perfect sense)!
On any given night, I will awake to sharp Cheddar, fresh Mozzarella or even a bit of Gouda!
Saltines! Absolutely!
However, I have to wait a few hours, before I take my Zytiga! 😁
Best,
AJ
When I began this journey 10 years ago not sleeping was the first thing I encountered. It got worse with ADT and Radiation. I am alive and sleep well because of one thing. Xanax.
I get Melatoin on Dr
Script for 20 mg and have been taking it for 20 years
Sleep well even with 3 times a night toilet visits
Thanks..., good to know that it doesn't stop the bladder alert during the night...
I will repeat myself by saying the following again. ( I just hate repeating myself).
Night time get cozy under the sheets/covers, close your eyes and build a log cabin with your imagination. Cut the lumber (trees) drag and shave them. Build foundation, pile the logs on and etc. I never get past the first floor cause I zonk out. I M A G I N A T I O N.... Re-start from the beginning if you have to wake up and Pee... If you want first build an OUTHOUSE for peeing.
Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.
j-o-h-n Saturday 02/15/2020 7:48 PM EST
You just need to repeat the instructions please. We are shaving the trees because they are in drag?
What else are you building with your imagination. Logs? I mean, really?
I imagine I'm in the cockpit of a B52 bomber starting the engines and taxiing down the runway. I rarely make it to takeoff because I fall asleep. What can I say the plane is as old as me.
Melatonin works. I've been taking it for jetlag issues for years. It knocks me out, but I set an alarm every 3 hrs, due to a stoma) I always wake up. What I wasn't aware of was its potential anti-cancer properties. Does anyone know if there are any long-term issues with taking high doses of Melatonin?
• in reply toCrocodileShoes
Only one is that your natural ability to produce it can be halted..I’ve taken 20 mgs per night for five years. I’m sure that my natural production is done.
I occasionally use the walmart brand of melatonin and it’s very effective. I fall asleep in minutes. The downside is I feel drowsy the next day for a few hours.
Hi Nalakrats! Always appreciate all your info!! Would chewable Melatonin tablets be the same as sublingual, if you let it dissolve under your tongue? Maybe give it a bite, then shift in under your tongue?
In your list of Herbs above, if I wanted to try the Lavender with Valerian Root, what dosage & strength would I need? Can you tell me what brand you use, please?
Thank you so much!! I assume she just takes 1 cap. of each, 40 min before bed, right?
Glad to hear it works for you.
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