While husband was taking stilbestrol for one month for his prostate Ca, one of the worst side effects for him was the complete inversion of his sleep pattern. He was completely unable to sleep at night, and only able to fall asleep around 6 am for 2 - 3 hours. He said it felt as though some internal switch was thrown as soon as he put the light off at night and snuggled down, ready to sleep. Of course, that meant his normal wake time by day was a misery of fatigue and feelings of sleep deprivation.

He stopped the stilbestrol about 3 weeks ago but still has this strange insomnia, so I got him some melatonin. He had the first dose last night - a 3 mgm tablet. It did not help him.
Can anyone tell me how long he should persist in taking this amount? When or if he should take more? I have known only one person who took it, years ago, for a short time. I think she said she was happy with 2 mgm. and that is all I know on the topic.
Help!!

Xania,

I'm not a melatonin expert but (not being an expert) has never stopped me before. So here goes ...

I've read, I believe on the LEF site, that sometimes very small dosages of melatonin can work even better than larger amounts.

Very small dosages = .3 to .5 mg

There's another factor to consider. Since it appears that your husband has trouble falling asleep AND staying asleep ... it might be worthwhile to get a time-release melatonin. They make some supplements that release part of the melatonin within an hour and the remainder over the course of 6-8 hours.

Now, if the melatonin doesn't work ... consider trying to stimulate his body into producting more of his own melatonin. Certain supplements may increase serotonin levels. Serotonin can be used, by the body, to produce melatonin. Both 5-HTP and L-Tryptophan have been used with some success for this application.

Certain foods may help as well. There's a book called, Potatoes Not Prozac, that recommends eating a potato before bedtime. This is thought to improve sleep quality and possibly help over-all mood during one's waking hours.

The theory behind this is that by taking a potato (apart from any protein) ... will cause a rise in insulin levels and help to preferencially shuttle tryptophan into the brain - where it will be used to manufacture serotonin (and melatonin perhaps).

more info. https://www.radiantrecovery.com/4r.htm

One last suggestion ... a good head/scalp massage helps me to fall asleep. I suspect any form of massage, that he likes, would do the trick. This not only releases feel-good chemicals in our brains but it can help us to just let go ... to disassociate from our conscious mind.

PS - Melatonin has shown activity against a variety of cancers ... including PC. So, any way that you can promote higher-levels of melatonin may be healthful.

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Xania,

It is also reported that high dosages will work also. Up to 20 mg. or more is sometime required. Melatonin is frequently used in cancer protocols.

The homeopathic remedy coffea in 30c works for some people.

Heel Homeopathics makes Neurexan that works very well.

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I take 5-HTP, Schiff 3mg Melatonin + 25mg Theanine, and liquid magnesium citrate.
All helped, but TERAZOSIN HCL (Hytrin) puts me out like a light for 8 hours...no interruptions.
Hytrin is prescribed for hypertension and to relax the prostate.
Better sleep has been my only side-effect.

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For now we see through a glass, darkly.... 1st Corinthians 13:12

I find that 3mg or more gives me a headache in the morning. Either .5 or 1mg seems to be just as effective. It's necessary to be in bed in the dark for Melatonin to work properly. It definitely promotes dreaming.

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NatMedTalk and Beyond

Natural melatonin used within the body is on the order of micrograms, as a result the 1-3 mg pills are more than enough to be used by the body, and anything more is simply over kill.

In my personal experience melatonin helps improve the quality of sleep and induces vivid dreams.

For sleep 0.5 to 3mg is generally recommended but if you are dealing with cancer or some other severe chronic disease up to 20mg is used by naturopaths. Of course if it gives you a headache you would decrease dosage.