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Melatonin Use on a trip to Asia

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Melatonin Use on a trip to Asia

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Old Sep 17th, 2003 | 05:56 AM
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Melatonin Use on a trip to Asia

Has anyone used Melatonin on a trip from the Us to Asia/ Asia to US? When to tke it? Has it helped anyone? Feedback appreciated.
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Old Sep 17th, 2003 | 06:12 AM
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Yes, I used it, but can't say it helped a lot. Slept a little longer on the plane, but that was just time-passing, not restful really.

You want to be sleeping on the plane when it is night-time at your destination. That's tough to do, of course, since you might be leaving the US at 11AM and it is, what, midnight or so in Tokyo or Beijing. So, you're going to go to sleep maybe 5 or 6 hours after you woke up?
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Old Sep 17th, 2003 | 06:30 AM
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Actually we will be leaving the LA at 1 am, and arriving in Bangkok at 11 am.
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Old Sep 17th, 2003 | 02:24 PM
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Interesting that it takes the same amount of time to fly LAX/BKK as JFK/BKK - the advantage is going over the Pole from NY.

If departing 1am you'll have about 12-hrs on the leg to Asia, then you can sleep on the plane; and the 2nd leg is about 6-hrs (you've aleady lost a day going over) and you should be able to sleep a few hours on this flight.

However, since you're arriving in late morning and by time you clear Immigration and get to your hotel - do not go to sleep, not even a nap. You should shower and change clothing and get out into BKK daylight. Try to stay up as late as possible as close to darkness as you can.

The heat and humidity will waste you so you should sleep well that first night. You should be fine the next day.

All I use to sleep on a flight is a 2mg. Ativan and I'm off to dreamland. Got 5-6 hrs sleep on first leg and about 2-1/2-hrs on second leg.
 
Old Sep 17th, 2003 | 05:29 PM
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If you arrive at 11 AM after an 18 hour trip that means that you left LAX at 5PM the night before. That is, your departure from LAX was at 5PM Bangkok time. Take your melatonin about 5 hours after you leave LAX, at 10PM BKK time. Wake up at 5AM or 7AM (BKK time) as you arrive at your connecting city. Then a mid morning nap on the second leg.
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Old Sep 26th, 2003 | 02:40 PM
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Hi, I don't know anything about your flight but I have tried Melatonin. It does work, but be advised that some people have vicious nightmares. I was one of them. Have you thought of asking your doctor for Ambien or Halcyon? Ambien puts you to sleep but does not keep you asleep. It doesn't have any groggy effect when you wake up. Halcyon I have never tried. Otherwise, a half of a Unisom will knock you out and it does keep you asleep, but it does have a grogginess when you wake up. If you have a long (12 plus) hour trip and you take it at the beginning, afterward with some coffee it should be all right. Half not a whole one! Otherwise try the Melatonin but do it at home first. Nasty nightmares. I personally think that the best use of my time on a flight is to sleep, but that is just me.
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