Melatonin

[AustinsMom]

Has anyone had experience or have info regarding using melatonin to assist with sleep? Austin, who had previously been a good sleeper, had sleep problems that I believe were a side effect of his Strattera. We have stopped that now--for probably ~3 wks, and still seeing sleep problems. We have been doing the FG diet for 2-3 wks, with good results. But the sleep issues remain; not as bad however. I think it may be some bad habits learned during our crisis period. So working on the assumption that if we could restore more normal sleep cycles for awhile that would help, we tried melatonin, 3 mg. We've used it for 3 nights, and it is very successful. But now I have read that it should not be used by children--I'm not sure if that's just because it hasn't been tested or if there are specific reasons. I have seen studies on it with sleep and children so it is hard for me to believe it could be harmful for a modest time period. Anyone have any thoughts?

[catatonic]

On pediatric use of melatonin:

I think you're right that it hasn't been researched sufficiently to be recommended for children, not that anything unsafe has been revealed in the research that's been done up until now. There's a good summary article (a very positive one) about giving melatonin to children here:
www.keepkidshealthy.com/medicine_cabinet/melatonin_sleep_problems.html

On melatonin in general:

"Mainstream" medical literature is somewhat divided on the melatonin issue. In reading a variety of studies, it seems clear to me that melatonin has definite sleep benefits.

One study looked specifically at children with idiopathic insomnia (insomnia for which there was no identifiable cause such as stim meds) and found that melatonin significantly increased how FAST they fell asleep, although not the total amount of time they stayed asleep. Dose in this study was 5mg.
(see www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=14566165&dopt=Abstract )

Other studies, like the double blind linked below, concluded melatonin had no effect at all. However, in this study, the most melatonin they gave was 1mg, which really isn't enough. (I'd say it's a joke, but I'm trying to be polite and not hastily conclude that the experimenters WANTED the melatonin to fail in order to continue pushing prescription sleep medications.)
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=12790159&dopt=Abstract

There's a very good summary of melatonin and its use in children with sleep disturbances at www.keepkidshealthy.com/medicine_cabinet/melatonin_sleep_problems.html

Recommended starting dose is 2.5mg for children under 5 and 5mg for children over 5. If you don't see results and need to increase the dose, don't go over 10mg for the older age group. Don't use more than 5mg for the younger age group.

If you see side effects of morning headache, morning sleepiness, or hallucinations, decrease the dosage.

[AustinsMom]

Thanks Catatonic. Helpful info, as always. I'm going to try it, but need to wait awhile since I am doing the Ambrotose trial.

Another question for you.....Austin's hands are really really dry--it's hard to describe; it feels like there's absolutely no oil there sometimes. I notice it somewhat on knees, feet, but to a much lesser degree. Could this be some nutritional thing, or is this just a quirk of his? I've wonder if this is a symptom of something he is lacking. Thanks for your help.

[Kimmers]

Hi Austinsmom:

My son also has very very dry skin, especially his hands and face. During the winter it really flares up and I have to put a VERY heavy cream on them to keep them hydrated. I am not sure if this is something lacking as your original question asked but at ADHD.com there was a discussion about the link between ADHD and eczema (the really dry skin) and it seems that many of our types of kids also have problems with this. Maybe Cat will have a good answer because if it is something I can also help my son with I would be very interested!

Kimmers

[catatonic]

Dry skin does seem to have some kind of link with ADHD. Some researchers have concluded that the dry skin is a symptom of essential fatty acid deficiency and that it is more than normally associated with ADHD because these children tend to be fatty-acid-deficient. (If you're interested, there's a decent general article on fatty acids that gives an overview of the symptoms of Omega-3 deficiency at www.ness-foundation.org.uk/ADHD.html ) I guess the best way to find out if this is one reason for your child's dry skin would be to include Omega-3 supplements and see if the dry skin clears up.

I know that my ADHD son has no skin problems. However, one of my other boys - who has asthma - does suffer from eczema. It does seem to have improved in the last several months since he's been taking Omega-3 as well. We'll see what happens now that it's colder.

In his book "Fats That Heal", Udo Erasmus suggests that the dry skin problem can be helped by the use of an Evening Primrose Oil capsule. (Swallow it, don't use it topically.) Studies have shown that Evening Primrose Oil alone will help resolve the skin problems. However, alone it has pretty much no benefit for ADHD and must be used with the Omega-3.

On sleeping...some studies have also shown that supplementation with fish oil will help with sleep problems - particularly with difficulty falling asleep. Don't know from personal experience, however. By the time we began supplements, the Feingold diet had already eliminated my son's sleep difficulties.

Austinsmom - how's it going with the ambrotose?

[Kimmers]

Thanks for the article Cat! I have had my son's blood sugar checked multiple times due to his "excessive thirst and frequent urination." I kept thinking it had to be diabetes and the whole time it has probably been the fatty-acid deficiency! Along with the dry skin, I am sure he has been deficient since birth since he has always had this problem. I have another question kind of unrelated: Have you ever noticed with your son that he seems to act up more when he is on an empty stomach? It seems like if my son hasn't eaten in awhile, that is when he is the worst. Is this due to low blood sugar levels or something?

[AustinsMom]

We have been on 400 mg. Neuromin DHA and 1000 mg Evening primrose oil since August. I have felt it has been helpful for behavioral issues--it has allowed us to get off meds. Maybe it'll just take more time for the dry skin problem.

Kimmers, I know what you mean about the cranky when hungry thing. We call them "nutritional crisis" at my house. Breakfast definitely needs to be in a timely fashion at our house.

Catatonic, Regarding the Abrotose, I had trouble getting it in over the holidays (a house full of people is not conducive to routine), so I haven't been as consistent as I'd like. Also, the lack of routine makes it harder to measure behavior changes. (Austin was wound tight from all the activity in our house; too many teenagers to rough house with and get over stimulated.) So, I can conclusively say.....I don't know if it is helpful yet or not. I am thinking I need to give it another couple of weeks, and then stop and see if I see any difference. We had been using lower doses, and when we started I definitely saw a positive difference. So I guess the question is, is more really better. I'll let you know.

We've gotten a little off track on this thread, huh! But I enjoy rambling conversations. In response to the original topic, I did go ahead and try the Melatonin; we needed it over the overstimulating holiday. And I''m happy to say it was quite effective. When Austin went to sleep only one hour later than usual after a harried and hectic Thanksgiving day, I was very thankful for melatonin.