Melatonin

[Joolsg]

We all know melatonin triggers/worsens RLS symptoms. Melatonin is not easily available in the UK and can only be prescribed by a doctor.But I recently visited Seville in Spain and you can buy Melatonin at any grocery store. And it's very cheap. 30 pills for 4 Euros.

[elsie1920]

It's very cheap and available everywhere in the US, without a prescription

I just googled, and it's otc and relatively cheap here in Belgium.

I wonder why you have to have a script for it in the UK?

[Joolsg in reply to elsie1920]

rehabtoday.com/understandin...

This article explains why it is so tightly regulated in the UK.

[elsie1920 in reply to Joolsg]

Ok, thank you!

[Martina777 in reply to elsie1920]

Everything is restricted in the uk, gladly I get alot stuff from my mum from Europe, woman can’t even have pepper spray for self protection, 😅 very sad place to be

[SueJohnson in reply to Martina777]

Can’t even have pepper spray for self protection - that's ridiculous

[Marmot2 in reply to elsie1920]

You can easily get it on Amazon but I preferred to get a prescription from my gp which is free. I didn’t know it worsens rls. This concerns me as I’ve just started 3mg melatonin and first night didn’t notice any difference in my sleep.

[Joolsg in reply to Marmot2]

Monitor closely. It is a known trigger.But there are always exceptions.

[Marmot2 in reply to Joolsg]

Never heard of it in micro doses! How can you control that when a 3 mg melatonin is a capsule? Was hoping that I’d notice a better night sleep but my pain level is high with fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis & replacement knee causing most pain atm Perhaps early days but told to take for a month

[Joolsg in reply to Marmot2]

Sorry- no idea. Perhaps Madlegs will respond.

[Marmot2 in reply to Joolsg]

Ok. Ty.

[amrob123 in reply to Marmot2]

I have had it compounded in a lower dose, eg 1mg but you can go even lower as Madlegs suggests.

[Marmot2 in reply to amrob123]

Ok.

[amrob123 in reply to Marmot2]

Also, you can purchase melatonin gummies from iHerb and the like. Many people find these effective for sleep. Personally, i didn't. The most effective melatonin for me has been the compounded form (as opposed to ready-made preparations or gummies).

[VanillaOatMilk in reply to Marmot2]

Melatonin is available in liquid at various concentrations. At least in the US. For a few years already, I’ve been using a Natrol product that provides 0.25mg/ml (=250mcg/ml). With this brand, one dropper measures out 1ml. I personally use 0.25mg most nights and have not had bad effects from it and it does help me fall asleep easily more consistently.

There are a number of liquid products available. Do a Google search and/or Amazon. Be sure to read the concentration information on each brand’s label and calculate what volume you would need to get the dose you want. Different brands can provide different concentrations.

BTW, in the US, you can also get 0.3mg, 0.5mg, and 1 mg capsules of melatonin. So there is a lot to chose from in dosage strength and dose form (ie, capsule vs liquid).

One last note…From what I have read, when first starting melatonin, start at a low dose and work upward if needed. Use only what you need.

[Marmot2 in reply to Joolsg]

Had no idea it could trigger rls. Didn’t think it would happen to me but so wrong. Had worst night imaginable last night with rls. Obviously melatonin is the culprit so won’t take anymore. Friend takes gummies from amazon but I don’t go there for meds. But suits her. Angry that gp didn’t go down the road to check. Very bad. I’ll send her a note.

[Madlegs1]

Please be aware that melatonin should be taken in microdoses.

That is in micrograms rather than milligrams.

I get liquid from Vitasun.

One drop is 2 micrograms ,which is a fair starting dose.. can be increased to max of one mg ,if necessary.

All of the bad effects from melatonin are due to mega doses of 5 to 10 mg.

Especially bad for RLS!

This is just one article explaining low dose.

news.mit.edu/1999/melatonin...

[elsie1920 in reply to Madlegs1]

When I was working in a psych hospital, that was in our med room. A few of the doctors 'prescribed' at those high doses for sleep. I always thought that was nuts. I still have a couple of bottles left over from the US that I had to stop d/t the RLS, when I found out it excacerbates it. I just checked, it's 3mg. I used to take 1/4 to 1/2 a tablet.

[ChrisColumbus in reply to Madlegs1]

As per Jools' link, in the UK the authorities have answered the question "misuse of these medications is high and begs the question – what quantity of melatonin constitutes too much?" by deciding "British policy prefers prescribed oversight over unrestricted access to ensure safety for those requiring help improving their overall quality of sleep."

Meanwhile you can buy it from many unregulated online suppliers, and if e.g. you're in the Netherlands OTC from Holland & Barrett's Dutch shops (although they won't ship it to the UK), but only with a prescription here.

A typical UK prescription for insomnia is 2 mg once daily for up to 13 weeks, but for jetlag 3 mg once daily for up to 5 days, which may be increased to 5 or 6 mg once daily if necessary. No mention of course of micro dosing!

[Huntingleroy]

Oh my life , I had some once on prescrip , my legs went abs crazy . Hope you had a nice break ?

[Joolsg in reply to Huntingleroy]

It was lovely. Seville is absolutely beautiful & the Orange blossom was out everywhere.

[funnyfennel]

I read pineapple contains a lot of melatonin. Last night I ate a few pieces Thinking it would do no harm..I did not sleep a wink..... There was nothing else I could atribute this to... Does anyone else have this experience?

[Madlegs1 in reply to funnyfennel]

Yes- I had similar from drinking pineapple juice.

Absolutely mad!☠️

[funnyfennel]

Thank goodness I thought I was being nuts!! Also explains why I Ve been feeling bad.The last few weeks with the rls.... I had started buying little boxes of the pineapple from the supermarket.. Thanks for that

[SueJohnson]

I ordered 5 mg melatonin in the US from Amazon. Didn't help me sleep. Since my RLS is controlled by gabapentin it didn't bother my RLS.

I googled it and other fruits also contain melatonin from highest to lowest:

Tart cherries: Among the richest natural sources of melatonin.

Grapes: Especially red and black varieties, as their skins contain melatonin.

Kiwis: High in serotonin, which can be converted into melatonin.

Pineapple

Bananas: Contain melatonin along with magnesium and potassium.

Oranges: Have smaller amounts of melatonin compared to the others.

And then there are tomatoes, eggs, walnuts, Pistachios, fatty fish like salmon, even milk and mushrooms.

So a food diary would definitely be helpful.

[funnyfennel in reply to SueJohnson]

Gosh... I suppose, it's best to eat everything in moderation.

[KickininAz]

I've been a member here for years. Two years ago I was diagnosed with Stage Four "terminal" stomach cancer. One supplement that is rated very highly as an anticancer supplement is melatonin. Lack of melatonin due to my severe RLS may have led to my cancer (just my opinion,). I am pasting a short bit about melatonin and cancer here, written by a doctor and thoroughly researched. I don't want any of you to develop cancer as I did. From the book Cancer Care, Second Edition., Low melatonin levels have been implicated in the etiology of cancer. Several studies have shown reduced levels of melatonin in patients with certain types of cancers, compared with normal, healthy people of the same age.

[Joolsg in reply to KickininAz]

Interesting. Thanks for sharing that info.

[LotteM in reply to KickininAz]

Why would RLS reduce your melatonin? How would it suppress one’s production of melatonin? I do know daylight breaks it down.

[KickininAz in reply to LotteM]

Also I was on dopamine agonist for over 15 years. From AI this is information on DA and melatonin......Yes, dopamine agonists can potentially depress or reduce melatonin levels, as dopamine has an inhibitory effect on melatonin release, and melatonin also inhibits dopamine release.

[KickininAz]

Because my sleep patterns were so disrupted. Melatonin is secreted at night during sleep. I was seldom sleeping, and when I did sleep it was interrupted frequently.

[Marmot2]

wasn’t aware that melatonin worsened RLs. My gp didn’t mention this when I asked for help for insomnia due to chronic pain. Now only had 2nd night of 3mg and rls is very bad. Don’t think this is coincidence. I won’t take any more.

[Kat343]

It may be helpful to look up Dr. Mercola's articles on melatonin. I remember the recommendation of .3 mg as being a good place to start, and maybe maintain. If you look under the Parkinsons forum and search for melatonin cream, that may be of use also. Good luck to all!