Jack comments on Case study: Melatonin - Less Wrong

21 Post author: gwern 07 January 2010 06:24PM

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Comment author: Jack 07 January 2010 07:52:46PM 7 points [-]

For me, the ability to force myself to go to bed is by far the most important claim made in this post.

Comment author: SilasBarta 08 January 2010 03:55:31AM *  4 points [-]

I've long had trouble going to sleep, and it's not an issue of refusing to go to bed, but rather, that I can't seem to just fall asleep like everyone else. My mind just won't shut down. OTC sleeping pills don't work on me: all they do is make me really drowsy but just as unable to fall asleep, which is a sucky feeling.

Recently, I started going on a prescription medication that works like a charm, in that predictably makes me sleepy, and actually fall asleep, and, on occasion, lets me wake up refreshed in the morning. However, it's relatively expensive, even with insurance.

Based on this TL post, I'm going to try melatonin, and if it does the same thing in terms of making me fall asleep, that alone would be worth it.

Comment author: NancyLebovitz 23 June 2012 08:33:42AM 1 point [-]

If you don't mind, what's the prescription medication?

Comment author: SilasBarta 23 June 2012 05:26:09PM *  2 points [-]

Seroquel aka Quetiapine (which unfortunately is prescribed for a lot of things other than insomnia, but only serves to knock me out in about an hour).

Comment author: gwern 08 June 2012 08:45:26PM 0 points [-]

Based on this TL post, I'm going to try melatonin, and if it does the same thing in terms of making me fall asleep, that alone would be worth it.

And?

Comment author: SilasBarta 23 June 2012 04:50:12AM 2 points [-]

Unfortunately, it turns out it's never been able to make me go to sleep, anywhere near as well as the prescription. Though it does make me wake up earlier (restfully).

(Sorry for the delay, I guess I just haven't been logging in as much, lately!)

Comment author: gwern 23 June 2012 05:54:28PM 1 point [-]

Though it does make me wake up earlier (restfully).

So you are still using it?

Comment author: SilasBarta 23 June 2012 07:08:17PM 0 points [-]

Yes, though I hope to one day not need it. I'm trying to use smaller amounts as time goes by.

Comment author: [deleted] 23 June 2012 04:54:58AM 0 points [-]

Welcome back! I missed you.

Comment author: SilasBarta 23 June 2012 05:50:43AM *  1 point [-]

Thanks! It's good to feel appreciated!

I've also moved to the SF Bay area, capital of LW.