Sleep issues

[661marina]

It seems my sleep issues are getting worse each day. I know I need to start taking melatonin. Can someone please tell me the best brand\form\dose of melatonin to take? TYIA

[Badmouth]

I use the Spring Valley Brand (3 mg fast dissolve) Start with 3 mg if that is insufficient try 1 1/2 tablets. Dissolving under the tongue yields the fastest results. About 15 minutes for me.

[pdbuzzboard]

Not a precise answer to your question, but sleep more generally, we have had some success with Yoga Nidra (basically being talked to sleep). There are a number of podcasts out there that you can listen to.

[Bolt_Upright]

What kind of sleep issues are you having?

[661marina in reply to Bolt_Upright]

I'm having a problem going to sleep at night sometimes, but I always Wake up around 3.30 or 4.00 and you can't get back to sleep. I'm only getting about four hours of sleep a night.

[pdbuzzboard in reply to 661marina]

My wife had the same issue. The neurologist insisted it was because she was running out of dopamine. We added a 1/2 dose of Rytary at bedtime and, for the most part, she sleeps through the night.

[BeedieBird in reply to pdbuzzboard]

This was my exact issue..waking up and not falling back to sleep. My Neuro said take 1/2 of an immediate release c/l 100 (50mg) when I wake up. sure enough, knocks me back out for another 3-4 hours. During the day I take Rytary capsules so can't take half unless I open up a capsule. I like the immediate release for getting right back to sleep.

[pdbuzzboard in reply to BeedieBird]

There are a number of dosages of Rytary. Your MDS may be able to prescribe one for bedtime that would let you sleep through.

Best of luck.

[hmm777]

My sleep neurologist recommends Pure Encapsulations, which is available from Amazon.

[Ireadwidely]

You could try DIY melatonin lotion ,recipe is at earth clinic, it's absorb quickly. Apply 30 minutes to an hour before bed. If you wake up during the night you can reapply.

[richardo123]

I take generic brand 3 mg and type into google 30 minute sleep music and it mostly works. I put the music back on again after I have my nightly 4 o’clock pee. Welcome to the pd challenge

[parknew]

230 lb male I use natrol 5 mg seems to work very well Restless without it 30 minutes before bedtime

[661marina]

Thank you all for your suggestions! ❤️

[jackritchie47]

There are a lot of good manufacturers of melatonin. It might be trial and error to find something that works. The half life of melatonin is about 30 minutes depending upon how a person absorbs and metabolizes the dose. Blood level peaks around 50 to 60 minutes after taking the dose so most people take it an hour before bedtime. Short acting (quick-release) melatonin might only last 3 or 4 hours. A time-release (extended-release) may last 5 or 6 hours or longer, depending upon their metabolism. Some people report tiredness in the morning after using a time-release dose.

If you can't get to sleep because you are tired but wired, that is an adrenal issue. The body is making cortisol in response to stress so a person feels "wired". Magnolia Bark is used to lower cortisol so a person can get to sleep. Nature's Way manufactures a product called "Sleep Tonight". It contains Magnolia Bark to lower cortisol, phosphatidylserine and L-Theanine as calming amino acids, and ashwagandha a stress reducing herb.

Magnesium has a calming effect and could be used by itself or as an add-on. It is better to use an absorbable form like chelated magnesium citrate, glycinate or L-Threonate. Avoid magnesium oxide.

Some folks add Hemp oil (CBD oil) to the mix but I would try things by themselves before combining things.

As with most things, check with your doctor/practitioner first to see if this stuff is OK to try and check with your pharmacist to see if there are any interactions or incompatibilities. Best of luck.

[661marina in reply to jackritchie47]

This is really good. I do have adrenal issues, which I need to take more seriously!

[jackritchie47 in reply to 661marina]

Lack of a good 6 or more hours of uninterrupted sleep is a stressor on its own. You have to work on both sleep and adrenals, in concert