Melatonin, worsens immune activity?(Help)

[Shani]

Hi everyone, I've been prescribed Melatonin for some sleeping issues that sometimes occur.But the Neuro-Immunologist insisted on this(although I think she just didn't listen so well, I don't really have severe sleeping issues other than when having pain or the Pred gets upped.)

Anywho, the Rheumy said it's safe to take.But doing some research..many sources claim it's the WORST thing to do give when have an Auto-Immue disease.
And that this strenghtens even more the Immune system?Yikes.

Has anyone had any experiece with it?I'm given a 5mg dose but my fatigue is already severe in general, so I don't get why they'd prescribe this on top of that.

I feel quite strange now, I took it about 15 minutes ago.Not certain what it can cause as they say it 'hormonal' produced pill, by the brains.

Possibly they just don't know this, here in Belgium...I'll certainly ask my general Neuro about this.Any help is appreciated.

[gold55]

Hi Shani,
I have some that I was going to take but then I read something about Melatonin and autoimmune disorders so I decided not to use it.  Please call your doctor and find out if this is contraindicated for people with AI's before taking it.   

[Shani]

Thank you Gold, it's the same reason as of why I'm a bit concerned and confused now.The Rheumy said it was ok but I don't understand it so well if it's not really a good thing with SLE and Sj?gren or in general auto-immune disorders.

I assume it'll be their responsiblity if it makes things worse.

[irish]

shani, Don't assume that it will be the docs responsibility if it makes you worse. You will need to be proactive concerning your care. If anything find reliabe sources that you can print off and show a doc in the needed circumstances.

I try not to tell docs too much about what I find on the internet as they think we are trying to second guess them. Sorry to say, yes, that is true cause too many times they don't know that much about the autoimmune diseases.

I think if it was me I would let the psychiatrist or the one who treats a depression be in charge of prescribing any sleeping aids. This way there is more continuity of care. At least the psychiatrists are usually pretty good about checking on the interactions of other meds a person is also on.

I hope that you can get this settled once and for all. One thing I have always found to help me much of the time in the middle of the night is a bowl of cold cereal and milk. I always figure that many times by 2-3 AM and no sleep I am hungry and don't always realize it plus the milk is mother natures safe way of inducing sleep. Good luck. Irish

[Corella]

I have tried it 3 times and the next morning felt dreadful, increased muscle weakness, palpitations, I didnt even know about the link when I took it either.

Wont be trying that one again for sure.

[Shani]

Thank you Irish and Corella, of course it's important to research these meds sometimes either way and ask any related questions that are a possible concern.Because I'm seeing that often like with a previous med that Neuro prescribed, it gave me such a drunken feeling.

While she claimed it didn't really have side-effects at all.Opposite had been proven for the two days I took it.

So far the sleeping med seems ok but I'm still concerned, I feel really tired and it felt strange when I took it such as weakness possibly as Corella stated.

I'll ask more about this to my general Neuro or also my GP.Hopefully they know more.

I don't have so much of a sleeping issue, just the Pred caused it now.But sometimes they all seem so easy with prescribing pills and more pills, yikes!

And yes, I always try to be careful about the subject of Internet related findings.

[Suzie]

Hi Shani,

I hope you get some good advice from your regular doctors about the Melatonin and Amitryptyline. My 12 year old daughter has sleep problems and fibromyalgia and we were told NOT to give her Melatonin because it's not good if you have rheumatological problems. I was really disappointed because I'd read online that it was kind of a miracle cure for people whose body clocks are messed up.

She's been taking 10 mg of Amitryptaline at night for 2 months. I think maybe it's now starting to help her sleep a bit better, but it's not having as big an impact on her pain and sleep as I'd hoped. If she'd felt like you do after taking pills, I'd go back to her doctor.

And what a stupid doctor this neuro-immuno woman you saw is! You go for help with your eye problem and get given pills that make you feel worse! SO frustrating for you. How are your eyes?

How are you feeling now?

Suzie 

[Shani]

Thank you Suzie, you're lovely as always!

The Rheumy gladly said it's ok to leave the Amitriptyline because it really made me like a zombie.
But it does indeed knock you out immediate basically when taking it.Just the sleepiness continued during the day also.

The Melatonin, I took it last night but it was not so 'effective' as they claimed.Just the Pharmacist said it can take a bit to work as it should, due to also taking other meds.
 
I still worry thought about the fact that it's bad for Auto-Immune diseases.I'll just see how it goes and ask my nice Neuro(although she sadly can't really do anything about diagnoses etc or Neurology and Sj?gren/SLE, she wants to leave it to the specialised hospitals here (Where the not so nice Neuro-Immunologist works, Rheumy etc)

But yes, she completely ignored my whole symptoms and so on once she heard about me sometimes having episoded that I don't sleep well(Rheumy agreed that the increase of Pred caused it but said Melatonin was ok to take?)

Anywho, I have been so concerned about my eyes that have this intense pressure daily, else they hurt(not because of dryness) or just vision changes.And she wouldn't listen, saying'oh could be the muscles-related to 'sleepless' night probably' Some doctors are just...ugh!

I'll see how it goes and contact my own eye doctor again if needed, I hope she still works at the same hospital.I don't want to be searching for a new one(her name wasn't listed anymore by the Opthalmology section on their website)

Hugs!

[Maria3667]

Hi Shani,

You don't seem to have much luck with what the Dr. prescribes!

I tried Melatonin & eventhough it made me feel better mentally & improved sleep, it was a bad journey for mouth dryness... I quit using after approx. 3 weeks.

One of the few things I do find useful to improve sleep & mood & saliva is an anti-depressant called AGOMELATINE (Valdoxan). This is a product only available in Europe. As you're in Belgium it shouldn't be a problem.

By the way - u zult mij begrijpen want ik woon in Nederland 
(you'll understand me, as I live in Holland).

Cheers,
Maria