Arrrggh, I've got insomnia... AGAIN!!! I take 1mg Xanax at bed time, I just want to know how much melatonin I can take with it.
Thank you ever so much,
sweetlemon
How much Melatonin can I take?
Question posted by Anonymous on 20 July 2010
Last updated on 29 January 2019 by MeMe2001
The information on this page reflects personal experiences shared by our community members. It is not reviewed for medical accuracy and should not replace professional medical advice.
13 Answers
MeMe2001
30 Jan 2019
I actually take 10 mg every night and it works well for me
B_Easy_88
6 May 2013
Hello All! I was led to this Q&A forum via Google and just finished reading through all of the responses. I am a 25 year old female and I was diagnosed with insomnia at the age of 13. The doctor prescribed me to 80mg of Seroquel (sp?) 30 minutes before bed. It worked... However, i hated it! Not only did I sleep for anywhere between 14 and 24 hours... I also felt like I got hit by a train when i woke up and became dependent on it as well. At 13 years old, a sleep schedule like that just didn't work and an addiction to sleeping pills was out of the question! Needless to say, I flushed them down the toilet and decided I was just going to deal with my insomnia. Well, now at the age of 25 and now having a 5 year old son, being up all night doesn't work. I met man from England about a month ago and he told me about Melatonin. I went to Wal-Mart and bought a bottle of the 5mg tablets.
I started with 1 and was still wide awake an hour later. Took a 2nd one and was STILL wide awake another hour later, so I took a 3rd and finally about 30-45 minutes after I was starting to feel sleepy. I eventually fell asleep about an hour after the 3rd one. I feel great when I wake up also! I believe that there is no specific same dosage for everyone... I believe it depends on how much Melatonin in your brain that you lack and have to replace because some nights I have to take 5 of the 5mg pills. I also believe that there is no actual physical dependency related to the Melatonin, but more so a mental dependency to take them every night because you know that they work and feel as though you will not be able to sleep without them.
jenestrada7
19 March 2013
did you ever try tryptophan? I take 3 before bed and it worked for me.
ssgtwife
3 Dec 2012
Dr Oz just did a show the week of Nov 29 ,2012 and a study shows that no more than 1mg of melatonin a day for no longer than two Weeks intervals is enough. any more than that you are poising your body. i'm glad i watched the show that day.
giamia
8 Nov 2011
i;ve actually researched it and your not supposed to take it with the xanax because it could interact
wisetree
24 Aug 2012
yes. I was thinking the same thing while reading these posts! I was researching tapering off zanex and I read several warnings on not using at the same time.
oxyaaron
28 Sep 2010
i started at 3mgs but now i take 6mg in the day and 9mgs at night
Inactive
28 Sep 2010
Aaron, aren't you nodding off all day long taking it during the day?
oxyaaron
28 Sep 2010
no it does not effect me like that and never has but i think he helps with my depression a little bit
lindawair1966
5 Feb 2012
I just bought some hope it works I am trying to wean myself off of xanax been taking it for years to sleep dont want/ no Insurance to be able to take it any longer!
tigetil12
21 July 2010
I have 1 mg xanax to take but have much better results with 1-2 melatonin mixed with a valerion root. you can buy them separate or combined. They work wonders for good solid sleep without the hangover feeling you get with xanax. I need the xanax usually the day after no sleep just to keep me from biting someones head off that normally doesn't deserve it,. Hope this helps.
Inactive
21 July 2010
Thank you tigetil12, I will get some valerion root. Errrr, how much do you take, and is it in pill form?
Thanks again,
sweetlemon
tigetil12
23 July 2010
Sorry for the delay in response. I am packing for a vacation. It's not even until mid Aug. but mania said do some now!!! The valerion root comes in pill form OTC near vitamins. I also saw one that combined to two meds for you into 1 pill but I haven't tried it. I've also seen some vitamin drinks with valerian root but havn't tried that either. So far, what I have works for me, but you bet I will try those other two methods before I will resort to an addictive substance. My family tree is filled with addictions of all different type things so I try not to add something that may become habit forming. It's just too easy for me to use "the dr. said" reason for taking pills. And what is the deal with Drs. issuing a script to take as needed. An addictive personality can take that statment and run with it. Thanks for listening
Inactive
23 July 2010
Thank you tigetil for the valerion root tip.
I know what you mean about doc's whipping out the prescription pad!!
sweetlemon
htwooh
21 July 2010
Crap I just wrote a huge response to this and as usual pushed the wrong button - I am either sending things twice or not at all. Anyway I said melatonin would probably be O.K. but not to start looking for the big blue sleeping pill in the sky. Lack of sleep never kills us but the stuff we take to force ourselves to sleep might. Look at MJ!!! I have just the oppositte problem. I hate to go to sleep. I would rather be up steam cleaning my floors or something. I have lights in my yard so I can work at night - not obsessively only til about 12 or something but it's so hot here and I work during the day so it is cooler then. It was 107 here in CA this weekend.
Anyway as I said this was my 'meeting' for the day so thank you and I hoipe you are asleep my now. I count backwards from 100 and picture the numbers flying over a fence in a pasture like sheep. By the time I get to 80 I am usually asleep. It forces me to concentratte and forget about all the other things I am thinking aabout - only thing that works for me. If not I just watch TV and that does it - or read - that works too.
dmfdjttor57
21 July 2010
you do not know how many times i've done such a thing, occasionally i write articles to send in to various magazines and the worst is to be 95% finished and have it suddenly delete. There's no way to re-write it, just doesn't happen until many months later, if at all. I take RX Vitamin D Dr. prescribes, 5000 mg. 2xweekly, as we don't get enough sun and it helps w/so many thiings, depression being one of them, really makes you feel better in many ways.
Sweetlemon, hi dear, sorry to hear about that insomnia, it is effd up, my ex had it to the point of ridiculousness and then finally would fall asleep around 7 a.m. and the whole day was shot. BUT, wanted to say that i've never found Xanax to be too great for sleep, unless i took it during the day and had something to do,then of course i could simply fall asleep.
Most insomnia is in the mind, as you know, and worrying about things, thinking about things, all of it keeps the mind racing and keeps sleep from coming. Try some relaxation exercises, starting w/your toes, look it up on the web and you will find things to help and also, counting backwards from 300 by 3's can help some people along w/the relaxation exercises. I personally try to connect w/my spirit guides, especially the main one, and ask for some help in getting the sleep i am craving, but that is my spiritual belief, so not something that would necessarily work for you. Good luck, I always wish you the best, you and Chris and my other friends are very important to me, and i don't' like to hear any of you additional things to cope with,you know? Went to Dr. today, will let you know tomorrow what he had to say, not much new, but i had a bit of good news this week, will share tomorrow. Good night my friend, and i MEAN THAT! Nighty night and get some sleep. xxoo p.s. What's happened to Lil Stevie,haven's seemed to hear much from or about him yesterday, maybe just going to wrong sites. I'm making a million typos, so i'd better get to sleep NOW, that is frustrating me so time to quit writing. Again, goodnight and pleasant pleasant dreams.
htwooh
21 July 2010
I just realized when the lady after me wrote your name that it is sweet lemon. I was trying to figure out what sweetl mon meant for the longest time!!
That's probably why I don't get sleep - I can't see the forest for the trees. I couldn't sleep so I hosed off our driveway in front of the business and down to the house - my husband just came out to get me and inform me it was almost midnight/I am exhausted - that's another way I get to sleep. Night guys.
Patricia11
21 July 2010
Dear htwooh, Enjoyed your post and info. Esp enjoyed the discovery of Sweetlemmon's name... Sweet Lemon... wonder when it would have dawned on me?
Wish I had your energy when I can't sleep, or for that matter anytime. Trying to overcome the fatique and lack of motivation that has always been my way of dealing with stress. What a waste of time.
Take Care,
Patty
Inactive
21 July 2010
Hello friends, I just want to let you know that I do relaxation excersizes and breathing techniques, and I use imagery to try to fall asleep. It isn't working... can't shut the brain off!
Thank you all for posting your answers and techniques for me.
sweet (sometimes not so sweet) lemon
fall queen
21 July 2010
Hi htwooh, I am impressed! I wonder about alot of people's "handles". I have explained mine many times. No I am not obssessed with the season of autumn, though it is beautiful (if you live where the leaves change color) I have to admit New Hampsire, Maine, and Vermont are stunning! No, the other thing some people might think is thank I am maybe a transvesite (and I mean no disrespect to anyone that is), I am not though. I fall down ALOT (due to my injury), therefore I have crowned myself "Fall Queen" and no, the tiara is mine! lol F.Q.
htwooh
21 July 2010
Fall Queen - I got that right because I fall all the time- I must have seen you explain it somewhere because I always knew that. I think everyone should explain their 'handles' now. Mine is htwooh because my last name is Waterbury so my e-mail is htwoohbury so I just shortened it for here. I should have shortened it to H2o instead of that long way- what a dummy I am. I will someday. But it's kathy too. Nice to hear from you - let me know how your son is doing O.K. Mine is O.K. but it is a work in progress isn't it?
Inactive
28 Sep 2010
God htwooh, I read SweetLemon's name the same way and wondered what it meant/was too. I feel so much better now. I also have typed long resps. and had them get eaten, I am txting from cell, site is outrageously hard to post on from cell. SweetLemon, c if u can find some self hyposis cd's next time u r @ a bookstore, they have them for various problems like stress or dieting and the droning, gentle voice and music r great 2 get me 2 sleep, u can find some online too. They will help with anxiety and pain 2. We saw some melantonin in 2 mg pills and i swear it said take 3 if u need to. maybe there is a group 4 it here or more info in the insomnia group.
Inactive
28 Sep 2010
Patti, I am actually sleeping well... lately anyway. I have insomnia occasionally, but it is no longer a problem.
I think my CT WD off Oxy just created the insomnia, and it hung around for about 8 months! That sucks, but 'tis over now, on to better things!!!
sweet Lemon
htwooh
21 July 2010
I think you are pretty safe with the melatonin. It's the xanax that I got addicted to and when I went off it I didn't sleep for 5 nights. I was told when I first got sober that it's not the lack of sleep that kills us, it's the crap we take to force ourselves to sleep. What will happen if you go a few more hours without sleep. Your body will get tired and sleep better the next night hopefully. I am wound up like a toy all day and work until late at night and when I finally force myself to bed (I would rather be steam cleaning the floor for some reason) I have to count number backward from 100 and picture them jumping over a fence like sheep. I have to concentrate so much that before I know it I/m asleep because I've relaxed and didn't even know it. Otherwise I just get up and work in my office but that isn't very healthy either.
I did medicate to sleep when I was coming off the norco and oxy and I was then dependent on that so it was just switching pills. I can get addicted to anything - I really can't have anything. I tried one of those energy drinks and nearly flew out of my skin but wanted another one the next day - I had to recognize that I like anything that makes me feel "better, different, faster, slower, better" until I realized that I actually like the way I am without anything. I have abused the right to take anything and that is the consequence. At least I'm not in jail like Lohan I am home with my husband and family so if that's my price to be a 'normie' then so be it. Sorry - this is not a lecture. I guess this was my 'meeting' for the day so I will say thanks you to you for providing me with that. Kath
RSDHurtzme
20 July 2010
I also have chronic nerve pain and anxiety. I also take Xanax; 1mgx2 a day taking my last one at night. I did talk to my pharmacist as they are the best ones to discuss drug interactions and he did tell me it was okay to take Melatonin as it is something our brains naturally produce.
I started on 3mg and now take one of the 5mg. It does now come in Maximum Strength of 10mgs but I would start with no more than 5 and work your way up if need be as I've found it helps tremendously with my own sleepless nights due to pain even with pain medications.
I have never abused my meds and have remained on the same dose of my pain med for 9 of 11yrs. I was only 31 when I was disabled from a car accident causing RSD aka Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy. I had already suffered from anxiety and panic attacks before this accident and was not put on Xanax until 2001.
My pharmacist and my psychiatrist both told me it was fine to take this supplement since it is natural and told me it does not interfere with my other medications. A friend of mine has even more sleepless nights due to pain than I do and takes 10mgs at night but I do recommend that you don't take it every night. It is not addictive but I feel it would lose its power if I took it that often so I try to take no more than a dose every other night if possible.
That was my own personal decision as I was told I could take it every night.
It will not interfere with Xanax at all and actually helps more than Xanax.
I didn't want to go on sleeping pills (more pharmaceutic meds) and found Melatonin to be a sleep saver.
Make sure you take it no earlier than 30 minutes before bedtime and that you know you can get up to 8 hours sleep. It doesn't give a "hangover feeling" but it does help you sleep longer. I take it 20 mins before bed and am asleep before I know it and get much better long lasting sleep at night.
Always check with your pharmacist 1st and best wishes.
Inactive
20 July 2010
Thank you RSDhurtzme, I will make sure I don't take it all the time.
Perhaps I'll take it when the pain is bad.
I appreciate everyone's input on this!!
sweetlemon
jgribben
2 April 2013
I just happen to be one of those guys that needs a minimum of seven hours sleep,if I don't get that amount, well I just fell really tired and discontented the next day.There are I admit many things I could do to improve my health however,I never slept more than one hour last night,I dropped my wife of at work and stopped by a 24 hour drug store and asked the Pharmacist if there was anything I could purchase,other than sleep-ease or similar products to help me sleep,he kindly pointed me to Melatonin assured me it was non additive and added that sometimes are bodies do not produce enough Melatonin and that 5mg could help.I came home took one 5mg of Melatonin and had 5 hours of uninterrupted sleep, now I feel great however I do have concerns about the overuse of Melatonin and need to research it further.Thanks pharmacist!
fall queen
20 July 2010
Sweetlemon, I think you can take as many melatonin as you want, but the average dose should be fine, I also suffer from extreme insomnia, I hate it but I just keep deaing with it, You will get some zzz's when your body and mind are ready. Hope that helps you. Fall Queen
Inactive
20 July 2010
Thank you fall queen, as ever, you are extremely helpfull!
Thanks for the melatonin tip.
sweetlemon
fall queen
20 July 2010
No probelm sweetlemon, Not to make light of your situation, but if it continues,There are insomniacs like myself who are online in the wee hours... lol Fall Queen
Inactive
20 July 2010
fall queen, don't I know it! I have been on my computer at 4am.
Insomnia is a real drag, especially when ones husband is softly snoring, and sleeping like a baby!
fall queen
20 July 2010
sweetlemon, With my warped sense of humor, I would wake him up, say " I'm sorry I wanted to tell you something, but I forgot, sorry you can go back to sleep now!" Fall Queen
Inactive
20 July 2010
fall queen, pretty funny! What I do, is yell "are you asleep" at him. Try that on your man, see how he likes it!
htwooh
21 July 2010
Come on you guys - wake him up and do something that will make you good and tired!! That is the best way to fall asleep.
ssgtwife
3 Dec 2012
please go see the show Dr Ozfood on this show the last week of November... it will shock you
Inactive
24 July 2013
Sweetlemon and everyone else taking Melatonin...
BE CAREFUL. Melatonin will not help insomnia and should not be taken in doses higher than 1mg for a short period of time. 3-5mg is double, even triple what someone with a deficiency needs and its very unlikely that someone has a deficiency. Also, it should NEVER be taken with depression meds or alcohol.
I'm always shocked by the careless "advice" people give when they do not know what they are talking about.
Patricia11
20 July 2010
Dear Sweetlemon, Hope when you read this you will have been able to sleep.
Don't know about melatonin and mixing wih other meds..although I have done it, but really can't say it helped...
I will check for any late nite postings from you in case your insomnia is long term... it is a terrible situation.
Can you think of any possible causes? Too much caffine, or too much late in the day?
You probably know the standard advice... warm baths, no day time napping, avoid foods and drinks that may cause stimulation... what a pain.
Please let me know your thoughts.
Thinking of you,
Your Friend, Patty
Inactive
20 July 2010
Hi Patty, I don't do caffeine after 8 am, so that is not it. The Melatonin helped last night! Yet I see that one can not take it often, so I shall probably be "Sleepless In Michigan"... ha!
Thank you Patty,
your friend, sweetlemon
Patricia11
20 July 2010
Sleepless in Michigan... do you have problems with not feeling well, like depression and sadness in the winter. Orginally I lived in PA and MD, noticed that in the month of Feb was always a bad time for me. Moved to FL, been here last 17 years... Sometimes Feb isn't as bad as is was up north.
Glad to hear you did get some rest. Again, I will check late nite postings in case you just feel like talking to some one.
xoP
Inactive
20 July 2010
Hi Patty, No depression, well other than the normal ups and downs expected in this life. I have pain issues, tingly, crawly, stinging neuropathy pain, untreated... at this point. Do not want to go back on opiates, so I guess I shall suffer through it! (sound like quite a martyr here, don't I?) Either that or an irritating whinger!
yer pal,
sweetlemon
Patricia11
20 July 2010
No, You are NOT a whinery or marytr... pain is pain, and it interupts our lives and well being. That is why we have friends to share our issues with.
So, I'm off to face the world now. Have to go to Shrink to sign papers for a Medical leave of Absence for work, abt 2 wks. Also, attend classes 3 x's a week to discuss chonic pain, depression etc. so I am covered at my job for the leave. It's a good idea to help get me out of the house and motivated... Still feel like a slug, but working on a better attitude. Also waiting for the Pristiq to kick in.
Be back later with a progress update. What are you up to today? Is it hot in Michigan? It's about 800 degrees here in FL... now would be a good time to vacation in Alaska.
Take Care
Inactive
20 July 2010
Have fun getting your head shrunk Patty!
IhearttheOcean
21 July 2010
Patricia-- I have the same condition and I live in South Central Pa now and used to live in North central MD. lol maybe its something about this area. Either way, I also plan on moving to Florida in the near future because every year that goes by, I hate the winter more and more.
Inactive
20 July 2010
Ive seen melatonin in 3 and 5 mg tabs. If i take it i take one or two 5mg tabs. Ive never heard of anything like 'melatonin overdose', but if you take it regularly you might become used to it and have a tough time sleeping without it. I would say you could take a lot without any real adverse reactions, but that doesnt mean you should. But if youve been having a hard time sleeping taking a larger than normal dose for you wouldnt be out of line
jjwitmer
8 July 2011
I have always had trouble sleeping myself as I have gotton older. I am on ambien but that doesnt cut it so I take melatonin with it I have been out of my ambien so I found my bottle of snooze in with melatonin I took 2 about 30 min ago and I am starting to get tired finally. I am always tired and takes me forever to fall asleep. I know if I take regular melatonin I have take 5 of the 5mg and I never have a hang over with it I just need that extra pill to get into my system and I do believe that your body does get use to the dose and you have to increase it the longer you use it but I swear by this stuff its better then trying to count sheep at night ...
ssgtwife
3 Dec 2012
you can od on melatonin. anything more than 1mg a day for longer than two Weeks is harmful to your body. this is the recommended dose. Dr. Oz just did a show on this topic check out his website.
Related topics
anxiety, insomnia, panic disorder, sleep disorders, melatonin
Further information
- Melatonin uses and safety info
- Melatonin prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Melatonin (detailed)
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