Got migraines?

If you have the unfortunate privilege to experience migraines, here's a tip for possible relief.
*****This is not intended as medical advice. Always consult with your doctor before starting or stopping medicine. This is intended solely for education purposes.*****

According to a recent 3 month study, melatonin provided considerable migraine relief compared with placebo and amitriptyline (antidepressant).  There were also considerably less side effects (adverse effects) with melatonin compared to amitiptyline. Also, bonus weight loss seen in the melatonin group! Both placebo and amitriptyline groups showed weight gain.

Melatonin is widely available OTC. Do your research for the best brand and product out there!
Naturally produced by our bodies (via the pineal gland), melatonin is an important hormone.  It helps regulate our sleep/wake cycle and is thus very important for sleep regulation.  We all know that not enough sleep, poor quality of sleep, or sleep disorders such as sleep apnea and insomnia can lead to many health issues including headaches and migraines, possibly stemming from low levels of melatonin.

The study suggests using 3mg melatonin (roughly equal to 25mg amitriptyline) nightly. Keeping with circadian rythms and when melatonin naturally peaks, take supplement between 10-11pm every night. To view the entire article search www.medscape.com article titled OTC Supplement May Aid in Migraine Prevention. Medscape. March 26, 2013.

I wonder how melatonin could benefit a narcoleptic, if at all.  This may be worth checking out!  If you are a PWN and have tried melatonin as a supplement for over a month, let me know. I'm curious if anyone with narcolepsy has reaped any benefits from this supplementation.

Thank you, Dr. Oz!

I will never forget the first time that I saw the word cataplexy.  It was November 2011, and I was online doing Dr. Oz's Transformation Nation challenge.  A fellow colleague told me about this weight loss challenge that was more like a lifestyle challenge.  She emailed me the link to the website to enter the competition.  As I filled out questionnaires for the challenge, I was alerted to the fact that I may have EDS (excessive daytime sleepiness).  I did not disagree with this assumption that the computer had issued on my behalf, from me simply filling out a few questionnaires. As I navigated my way through the info regarding EDS, narcolepsy links kept popping up.  In no way did I think that I had narcolepsy, but when I clicked on a link it took me to a page that was talking about cataplexy.

Until this point I had never seen or heard the word cataplexy before, not even in nursing school.  As I read the definition of this strange new word- tears welled up in my eyes.  This is it! This is what I have! This is what's wrong with me!  It was a huge relief to say the least to finally know, after years of wondering, what my mild cataplexy was. I knew without a doubt that the funny feeling I felt when I laughed and the knee buckling I experienced with anger or embarassment, was not a circulation disorder- but cataplexy.  It seemed harmless enough however, every time I cross referenced cataplexy, narcolepsy links and info would pop up.  So I read more about narcolepsy.  Since I self diagnosed myself with cataplexy, the realization of the possibility of having narcolepsy was starting to set in. There was no self diagnosing my narcolepsy.  Roughly four months after my new found knowledge, I sought answers from a sleep specialist M.D. 

So I have Dr. Oz and his website to thank for providing the info I needed to discover my unseeable disorders.  Have never met the man, but he was more helpful than my regular docs whom I had spoke with face to face.  Thank you Dr. Oz!!!

National Sleep Awareness Week, March 3-10 2013

As National Sleep Awareness Week concludes, tomorrow is Suddenly Sleepy Saturday- Narcolepsy Awareness Day.  Check out Julie Flygare's blog REMrunner.  There are updates on advocacy events as well as public service videos. On March 9th, download her book for free! If you haven't yet read Wide Awake and Dreaming, take advantage of this free download via her site at www.julieflygare.com .  Even if you don't have a Kindle, there is a free app download for iPad's etc.
I very much enjoyed this book. It was a quick read and is a true to life book about the ups and downs of narcolepsy, as well as challenges regarding treatment and hopes of reducing symptoms.

National Sleep Awareness Week is not just for PWN (person with narcolepsy), but for all other sleep disorders such as sleep apnea, idiopathic hypersomnia and insomnia.  So cherish your good sleep and support loved ones, with a sleep disorder, with non judgment and understanding.  Have a lovely weekend and sleep well!