Melatonin?

[pberggren1]

I've got a question for all of you out there.

A few months ago I bought a product called Sleep Sense by Lorna Vanderhaeghe. It consists of 3mg of Melatonin and 1500mcg of B12.

It says on the back of the bottle to not use if you are taking immuo-suppresive drugs.

Should I avoid this like the plague seeing as I am on Cellcept?

[Jack]

In a word - "Yes!"
How clear would you like them to be?

[Sangye]

LOL.... Phil there's some controversy over melatonin and immuno-suppression. I don't know if the research has clearly shown a link or if the research that does has been done properly. (Medical research on nutritional supplements or herbs is often poorly conducted) I really have no idea. It's best to ask your rheumy or just chuck it.

[JanW]

I wouldn't take it until I consulted my rheumy about it, that's for sure.

[pberggren1]

Thanks guys.

You sure have a good sense of humor Jack. I think I just needed reassurance from you guys.

[renidrag]

a little wordy Jack

[Jack]

Sorry!

Big blocks of print put me off so I like to get straight to the point.

[Sangye]

a little wordy jack

LOL-- you have such a good sense of humor, Dale!

[Kimbangu]

melatonin's banned in nearly every country in Europe. The thing is, it's a hormone which your body produces naturally. If you start taking melatonin, your body stops producing its own so you end up no better off. I used to buy it in the States and tried it a few times over the years ( before I fell into Dr. Wegener's clutches) to combat jet lag, shift work etc. I certainly wouldn't touch it now.

I think it is probably only good for elderly people whose bodies have stopped making melatonin naturally. I wasn't aware of the controversy over melatonin and immuno-suppression.... now I am worried!

[JanW]

I didn't realize that, Kimbangu. I guess it's like predinose -- once you start taking it your body stops making steroids and what's dangerous about that is that it can takes many months before that natural response kicks in again. Which is bad because then your body can't respond effectively to extreme stress (e.g. accident, injury, surgery).