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06-01-2009, 08:03 PM | #1 | |||
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Hi Friends,
I've been suffering from insomnia for quite awhile now. I tried melatonin a year or so ago, and it didn't help at all. Out of desperation I started it again, a few weeks ago, and its working great! I've never been able to fall asleep so quickly AND stay asleep, which was my biggest problem. I wake up now between 4:30 and 5:00 AM on weekdays, and I haven't had any grogginess at all. I love this supplement. I went online (I know, I need to talk to my doc) to do a little research on Melatonin & MS. There were a lot of contradictions. Some sites said that anyone with an autoimmune disease should not take it, though none said why. Other sites said that Melatonin is fine for MS patients, and still others said that it's great for MS patients, that we tend to be naturally deficient in it. It also seems to have other great effects, such as strengthening bones, which is great for anyone who has taken steroids, anti-ageing, cancer prevention, and lots of other great things. I just hate all these contradictory studies!! Does anyone here use it? Also, does anyone know of any reason I should NOT be taking it? I'm going to see my PCP on Friday and I'm going to ask him, but I'm wondering if any of you can give me some insight. I really hope I don't have to give it up, since it's working so well. I'm not taking as much Klonopin at night as I was a few weeks ago, and I haven't touched my Tylenol PM at all. I've always been scared to try sleep meds, like Ambien, because of the wacky side effects and possible addiction or dependence. Any advice or experiences would be greatly appreciated!
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April dx RRMS 9/07 |
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06-11-2009, 10:10 AM | #2 | ||
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Junior Member
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I have used Melatonin off and on over the years. cant really say if it works, but my doc said it was OK to try.
FYI, be careful with your Klonopin....it is highly addictive....i have been coming off it for two months now, while taking Ambien instead!!! I have some real sleep issues as you can see. good luck. |
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06-11-2009, 05:54 PM | #3 | |||
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Member
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Yes, insomnia is the worst. The melatonin is really making a difference for me, and my Klonopin bottle is getting dusty, which is great. I did talk to my doctor about it, and he said it was fine, but that I do have to follow the instructions on the bottle and take a week off once in awhile. He didn't know why they advise that, and neither do I. I'm dreading that week.
I also talked to my pharmacist, and he said the only trouble is that with any supplement you just don't know what you're getting. I wish there were regulations with supplements. I know the FDA is slow, but can't they do something? It's scary taking something when you really aren't sure what you're getting. I"m just happy to be sleeping better. It makes such a difference!
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April dx RRMS 9/07 |
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06-11-2009, 06:59 PM | #4 | |||
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As a general rule, if MS has anything to do with the immune system!!!, a person with MS should NOT do anything to increase Gamma Interferon, Il-12, IL-1 or nitric oxide (NO).
jackD I take some L-tryptophan, some L-theanine and if necessary a half of a 4 meg Zanaflex about 2 hours before the time I want to pass out. 1: Expert Opin Investig Drugs 2001 Mar;10(3):467-76 The immunotherapeutic potential of melatonin. Maestroni GJ. Center for Experimental Pathology, Istituto Cantonale di Patologia, PO Box, 6601 Locarno, Switzerland. icpcps@guest.cscs.ch The interaction between the brain and the immune system is essential for the adaptive response of an organism against environmental challenges. In this context, the pineal neurohormone melatonin (MEL) plays an important role. T-helper cells express G-protein coupled cell membrane MEL receptors and, perhaps, MEL nuclear receptors. Activation of MEL receptors enhances the release of T-helper cell Type 1 (Th1) cytokines, such as gamma-interferon (gamma-IFN) and IL-2, as well as of novel opioid cytokines. MEL has been reported also to enhance the production of IL-1, IL-6 and IL-12 in human monocytes. These mediators may counteract stress-induced immunodepression and other secondary immunodeficiencies and protect mice against lethal viral encephalitis, bacterial diseases and septic shock. Therefore, MEL has interesting immunotherapeutic potential in both viral and bacterial infections. MEL may also influence haemopoiesis either by stimulating haemopoietic cytokines, including opioids, or by directly affecting specific progenitor cells such as pre-B cells, monocytes and NK cells. MEL may thus be used to stimulate the immune response during viral and bacterial infections as well as to strengthen the immune reactivity as a prophylactic procedure. In both mice and cancer patients, the haemopoietic effect of MEL may diminish the toxicity associated with common chemotherapeutic protocols. Through its pro-inflammatory action, MEL may play an adverse role in autoimmune diseases. Rheumatoid arthritis patients have increased nocturnal plasma levels of MEL and their synovial macrophages respond to MEL with an increased production of IL-12 and nitric oxide (NO). In these patients, inhibition of MEL synthesis or use of MEL antagonists might have a therapeutic effect. In other diseases such as multiple sclerosis the role of MEL is controversial. However, the correct therapeutic use of MEL or MEL antagonists should be based on a complete understanding of their mechanism of action. It is not yet clear whether MEL acts only on Th1 cells or also on T-helper Type 2 cells (Th2). This is an important point as the Th1/Th2 balance is of crucial importance in the immune system homeostasis. Furthermore, MEL being the endocrine messenger of darkness, its endogenous synthesis depends on the photoperiod and shows seasonal variations. Similarly, the pharmacological effects of MEL might also be season-dependent. No information is available concerning this point. Therefore, studies are needed to investigate whether the immunotherapeutic effect of MEL changes with the alternating seasons. Publication Types: Review Review, Tutorial PMID: 11227046 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
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As God is my witness, I really thought turkeys could fly! (WKRP in Cincinnati) Last edited by jackD; 06-11-2009 at 10:09 PM. |
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06-11-2009, 08:10 PM | #5 | |||
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Magnate
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I'll still sing the praises of tryptophan!
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2004 to present - Trigeminal Neuralgia 2007 to present - Burning Mouth Syndrome March 2008 - Multiple Sclerosis DX 05/2008 - Relapse 05/2008 to 02/2009 - Copaxone 10/2011 - Relapse - Optic Neuritis developed 9/2012 - Relapse - Balance issues 1 sided 8/2012 - Erythema Nodosum - diagnosed 10/2012, reaction to Topiramate (Topamax) April 7/14 - Raynaud's Syndrome DX |
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06-12-2009, 03:04 PM | #6 | |||
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That's a big bummer. I really need to find a safe, effective non-addictive sleep aid. I read similar thinks on the web, but then I read things that said the opposite. This disease is too confusing.
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April dx RRMS 9/07 |
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