Melatonin Melodrama

[the_gneech]

So, pretty much all my life I've had trouble forcing myself to go to bed, and once in bed, I've had trouble going to sleep. But after the past several weeks (months?) of going to sleep at 3:00 a.m., I'm now in a constant state of sleep-dep and having difficulty thinking, remembering, or even having the energy to do simple things like, y'know, eat.

It's not that I can't sleep. Once 3:00 a.m. rolls around, I can sleep like Rip Van Winkle. But the universe will not support my 3:00-10:00 sleeping habit. It wants 11:00-6:00, my own feelings be damned.

So last night, I tried 5mg of melatonin. I've tried 1mg doses before with no discernible effect, so I figured, being a largish guy I should probably just go ahead to the largest dose.

Well, it didn't particularly help me get to sleep.

It did, however, make it even harder than it always is to wake up. -.-

So after sleeping (sorta) for 10 hours, I've finally managed to stagger downstairs. I still need breakfast, but that requires standing and I'm not keen on the idea. Writing journal entries is much easier, all that has to move are my fingers and the one or two working synapses still left. Good thing I have some sick time available.

Note to myself: no more 5mg doses of melatonin. -.-

-The Gneech

Comments

[captain-slinky.livejournal.com]

I've been on Melatonin for about 3 months now, and I'm a REALLY BIG GUY (315lbs), and I've always had the same problem as you regarding getting to bed and getting to sleep. Creative types seem to have this problem more - those 10 minutes before you fall asleep are the 10 minutes where you get your best ideas so you subconsciously try to stretch that 10 minutes in to 5 hours or so.

I take 3mg doses and all they do is piss me off because I can't remember my dreams the next morning :(

[jamesbarrett.livejournal.com]

this is one of the many reasons I have the kind of job that I do. It does support the 3 am to 10 am sleeping habit. But it does take a certain kind of person to be able to actually do the job and do the job well and sleeping habits are not part of that factor. -Frisk

[the-mcp.livejournal.com]

I find that 3mg is plenty for me. Here's a tip: Don't take it right before you go to bed; take it about an hour before the time you'd like to go to bed, and see how that works for you.

[carlfoxmarten]

Had you taken the melatonin about an hour before going to bed?
That's about how long it takes to start doing anything.
(and no, it doesn't help me much either)

[kelloggs2066.livejournal.com]

I've found that taking 3mg doses of melatonin can be more effective over time. The first time, you may not notice anything. But, it builds up and appears to gain in effectiveness.

[hantamouse.livejournal.com]

Melatonin gives me vertigo, makes me wake up 15 times all night, and gives me the most vivid detailed dreams.

[kylet.livejournal.com]

Move to Spain? ^ ^;;

you're still on California time....(grin)...

[mammallamadevil.livejournal.com]

seriously, good luck and have you tried diphenhydramine?

7 hours of sleep a night. Whoa...

[c-eagle.livejournal.com]

Wow... helpful info!
I'm sorry to hear it nailed ya like that... I haven't tried it, but I've been wondering.. because I ALSO have that lonnnnng lag when I get into bed before sleep arrives...

Here's hoping a better solution arrives for folks like us! eeeeesh....

I know people who can just *flooomp* go to sleep FAST. They tell me they have a way to picture a "blank space" and blank their minds out, and that's how they do it.... I only have minimal success with it... but maybe that could be helpful to mention for ya?...