WARNING!! Re: [pct-l] Sleepless on the trail

[calliger at infolane.com (Richard)]

There has been some severe contraindications re melatonin; not sufficient
to pull it off the market; but enuf to issue some warnings from the FDA-
be very careful with dosage and extended use...there was a warning on the
news regardign seizures and strokes. I do not know what the target study
group was (probably elderly, young and ill types as usual) that are prone
to this.

It was dire enough warning I stopped using it - it was great for my trips
to Europe and the Far East re jet lag...I would go with antihistamines as 
previously suggested.


Richard

At 08:59 AM 10/3/2004 +0200, Saskia Daru wrote:
>Hi,
>
>Melatonin is supposed to help with jetlag as well. It is difficult to
>compare different experiences with and without melatonin, as each time other
>factors play a big role (how much water you drink, whether you start work
>immediately and get into your routine, etc.). We have tried it going from
>the Netherlands to the States and it seemed to work pretty well, but not the
>first night. Going back, it may have helped, I am not sure. I stopped taking
>it after two days and have now been suffering a droning headache for two
>days. (Just started taking some ibuprofen this morning, as I'd had enough)
>Is seems that moderate and not-prolonged use of melatonin is not dangerous
>at all, so why not try it out. See how things work for you. I think we will
>try it again next time to see if there are any positive effects then.
>
>Saskia
>
>> From: "Ben Holmes" <beholmes@pacbell.net>
>> Date: Sat, 2 Oct 2004 11:34:32 -0700
>> To: <pct-l@mailman.backcountry.net>
>> Subject: [pct-l] Sleepless on the trail
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> I understand the trail sleeplessness.  And I truly like the sex idea, and
>> know that it works for me.  However this is usually not an option.
>> What I usually use is "Melatonin."  It's a hormone, which triggers a natural
>> sleep cycle.  One tablet about 30 minutes before bed, and I am OUT.  When I
>> wake up I am not groggy and don't feel like I have been drugged.
>> 
>> You can get the tablets with a B vitamin too, that will usually make
>> Melatonin more effective.
>> 
>> My $0.02
>> Crazy Old Scout
>> Ben
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> Message: 6
>> Date: Fri, 01 Oct 2004 16:22:04 -0700
>> From: Steve Peterson <steve_peterson@sbcglobal.net>
>> Subject: [pct-l] Sleepless on the trail
>> To: pct-l@mailman.backcountry.net
>> Message-ID: <415DE69C.7080501@sbcglobal.net>
>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii; format=flowed
>> 
>> Does anyone else have trouble sleeping on the trail, even after a couple of
>> weeks? If so, what do you do about it?
>> 
>> After my 11-day trip I figured I just wasn't out there long enough, but
>> after my 
>> 16-day JMT trip I'm doubting that's the answer. Someone on the trail
>> suggested 2 
>> Tylenol PM per night (which is lighter than a thicker Thermarest), but I'd
>> be 
>> interested in other solutions, too. I'm not drinking caffeine at all, but I
>> am 
>> eating chocolate; hate to have to make a choice between chocolate and sleep,
>> 
>> though.
>> 
>> 
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>
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