Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums Twice Exceptional Melatonin

I am still looking for better alternatives for controlling my son's migraines than the amitriptyline the neurologist prescribed. I recently read that melatonin helps some people with migraines as well as helping with sleep issues.

It looks like melatonin has a lot fewer potential side effects than the medication the neurologist prescribed, but if it really works why wouldn't the neurologist tell us about it and have us try that first?

My son has been having a lot more trouble sleeping than he used to and he will probably have to wear his very uncomfortable scoliosis brace to bed. Last night he couldn't fall asleep until after 3:00 a.m. even without the brace. We have to do something and I really don't like the idea of making my son take a drug that can cause suicidal thoughts in some people, especially when my son is dealing with a lot of difficulties that other kids don't have to deal with.

Has anyone experienced any negative side effects while taking melatonin? If not, I think I will have my son try it.

My sister chooses not to give her daughter melatonin, because it has immunostimulator properties.

IIRC, your son has restless leg syndrome? I think I've read that melatonin should be avoided for people with RLS, as it tends to aggravate it.

Lori, read around carefully first. Melatonin is one of those pretty much unregulated substances, and not all brands that say they have a certain amount of active ingredient actually do. You will want to talk to someone trustworthy to determine a reliable brand if you embark on this.

DeeDee

Hi Lori,

My child does take Melatonin, but for different reasons so I can't speak to how it may/may not help your child. Just wanted to chime in to say that FOR SOME kids it can be helpful and safe-- but ours is prescribed by our child's doc, who is the one who determined she needed it and told us exactly what to get, and how much to give. We're conservative re: medication, and we're big on alternative treatments-- but we also consider supplements, even nutritionals/herbals, to be just like meds--we don't just assume they're safe b/c you can buy them otc-- we go through a doc to make sure they're safe and appropriate for us/our child. So, I'd check with your doc or specialist to see if melatonin, or perhaps another alternative treatment, could be tried before going on the medication you're concerned about.

HTH!