Melatonin problems

[danceintherain]

I have had terrible insomnia for years. This past October, I was given a melatonin supplement. It also contained 5-HTP and GABA. It helped me fall asleep a bit earlier and a lot more quickly. After a few days I had more energy and didn't feel so exhausted. But the next day I felt bad (a lot of pain I had not experienced in a long time) and general malaise. The next day it was worse, and even worse the day After that, so I chose to stop taking the supplement. Ever since then, I have been 10 times as exhausted during the day even though I am getting the same amount of sleep. And I pain I got rid of a long time ago is back. Does anyone know why this may have happened?

 

[adreno]

The only thing I can think of, is that 5-HT(P) drives the HPA axis. When this stimulation is suddenly removed, cortisol release may drop. Do you know your present cortisol levels?

 

[danceintherain]

Actually they have been higher lately than I have had normally in the past. Not out of range, but a lot higher. The thing is, the symptoms started while I was using the supplement, not after I withdrew it. The worst of it dissipated after a while, but my energy level has not come back to where it was previously (which wasn't exactly good before).

 

[adreno]

Actually they have been higher lately than I have had normally in the past. Not out of range, but a lot higher. The thing is, the symptoms started while I was using the supplement, not after I withdrew it. The worst of it dissipated after a while, but my energy level has not come back to where it was previously (which wasn't exactly good before).

How about your DHEA? If your cortisol : DHEA ratio is high, it might be a problem.

 

[danceintherain]

I am not sure about it. I will have to check and see if I have recent labs. If not, I'll ask my dr about it. I have to go soon to review some other labs.

 

[danceintherain]

I looked and my DHEA was in normal range. I don't know the correct ratio of cortisol/DHEA tho. My adrenals were on the higher end of the normal range. They were a lot lower when I was previously tested (about 3 months). I don't know why the sudden change. I have a lot more fatigue than I did at the previous test, so maybe they are working harder? I don't know if that is a pre-cursor to them burning out or just that it was a normal fluctuation. Both tests were done at a similar time of day.