After a recent constructive appointment with my parcinsons nurse, she has suggested I take melatonin for my constant vivid dreams and insomnia. I have an appointment with my consultant soon and I presume she will proscribe this drug. I am concerned this will leave me like a zombie the next day. Has anyone any experience of this, all comments appreciated.
Dave3
Hi @Dave3, thank you for sharing your post.
Many people with Parkinson’s experience vivid dreams and disrupted sleep, so it’s something Parkinson’s nurses and consultants often try to help with.
We have information about sleep problems on this page: Sleep problems | Parkinson's UK
Melatonin is sometimes suggested because it can help regulate sleep without being as sedating as some other options.
We have information about melatonin on this page: Sleeping medication | Parkinson's UK
People’s experiences vary. It’s good that you’re planning to discuss your concerns with your consultant, as they can look at dose, timing and how it fits with your other medication.
You’re doing the right thing by seeking to hear from others. Hopefully the appointment will help you decide what feels right for you.
We’re sending you our warmest wishes
The Parkinson’s UK Moderation Team 
Thanks for the info
Hello - I hope you try the melatonin - For my husband it helped for a while with his inability to sleep and vivid dreams but has become less helpful of late. He has slowly had the doseage increased over the last few years but is now reversing the process. Even at high doses it did not cause him to be sleepy/zombie like the next day. Hope it works for you, best wishes
Hi, Thanks for the reply, I’ll give it a try and hope for the best. Hope your husband can be found something that helps again.
Dave3
Hi, i have just started taking melatonin, 2 weeks in, its not really helping my sleep at all but am keeping on taking it and will up the dose fron 2 to 4 mg as per docs instructions to see if this helps. i feel zombie like most mornings due to lack of sleep - currently about 3-4 hours a night max and is nothing to do with the melatonin. When i do get a good nights sleep - 1 out of every ten nights i feel alot better and dont feel like a zombie. hope this helps
Hi Steven. I guess the jury is still out on this for you. Hope it works out eventually. I see the consultant on 5th feb, so expect to get my prescription then. Fingers crossed it works for me.
Dave3
Hi Dave
I have sleep difficulties (not the same as yours) and have been taking 2mg slow release melatonin every night for about 6 months now.
The effect is very subtle and not at all like sleeping tablets I’ve had in the past. It doesn’t leave me at all groggy the next day.
Hope this helps.
J.
Hi J
Thanks for the reply. I have just joined the digital age and purchased a smart watch. it says I am getting about 4 hours sleep a night, so will be be trying the melatonin. Glad it works for you.
Dave3
Hi Dave, 4 hours sounds tough I get 6-6.5 hours most nights, with a doze during the day as well that’s usually enough for me to be OK. AS it happens I saw my PD consultant this morning and told him sleep is still not great, but he recommended continuing to manage it as I am rather than medicating it. Hope the melatonin helps.
J.
I‘m on 2mg of Melatonin for severe insomnia, I can go all night without sleeping, I find it works really well, i feel a little tired the next day but it’s massively increased my mood. I’d recommend trying it, I take it 30 minutes before bedtime.
Hi JonJoe
Sounds good I’ll be giving it a go as soon as I can get my prescription.
Dave3
First night of popping the pill. Did not make any difference. try again tonight, but I guess it doesn’t work for everyone.
Dave 3
I have been using Melatonin for a few months now. I take it because I was damaging myself ( pinching, punching basically bruising myself) in my sleep. If I wasn’t doing that I was shouting out in my sleep. It has been a revelation for me. I started on 2mg and over time have progressed to 7 mg..
Hi Padiho
I have just had an appointment with my consultant, and told her that the 2mg Melatonin is doing no good for me. She has not raised the dose but is going to suggest another tablet to my gp (can’t remember the name) so hope that helps. Glad it works for you but it sounds a high dose.
Dave 3
Hi Dave, My consultant said there is an alternative medication that would help with my self harming whilst asleep (but like you I can’t remember what it’s called). He said unfortunately the body gets used to it after a while making it ineffective. Hence the reason for Melatonin. As regards the dose of Melatonin I was told 10mg is the limit. It’s a while now since I’ve self harmed in my sleep so I am gradually reducing the dose at the moment and I’m down to 4mg.
I do hope you get it sorted out and soon find some peaceful sleep. BTW I don’t find it leaves me sleepy during the day
It’s good you are managing your symptoms and able to reduce the dose you were taking.
Hope it continues to help.
Dave3
Dear all,
I use Ashwagandha KSM-66 supplement to manage my insomnia and it works well for me. Anybody else here having the same experience?
Thanks.
koru
Hi Koru
Are you taking this in conjunction with a prescribed medication, or is it something you have decided to take off your own back.
Dave 3
Hi Dave3
it was my initiative (and/or decision), but I did consult/inform my GP upfront, to get the feedback and to add it to my medication list.
Koru