Has anyone tried melotonin to help sleep on a plane? Rr to minimize jet lag?

I have an upcoming flight from Orlando to Paris and I'm looking for, preferably, a more natural solution for inability to sleep on planes and/or to reduce jet lag.

I've heard of different methods, but no real feeback from people who have tried things that have actually worked!

What have you used?

Thanks Fodorites!

I tried Ambien once and it didn't work..at all.

I've since used melatonin with great success.

I suggest you try some a few days/nights BEFORE you fly to see how it affects you.

Not every one is a melatonin responder, so try it out before you go. It did nothing for me, but ambien worked great.

I too have used melatonin with no success. On the other hand, Ambien CR works great and guarantees me good quality sleep and no "drugged" feeling upon awakening. I also use it on the ground the first night after a long flight and I can pretty much expect to get a solid 7 hours.

Dukey wisely suggests a dry run at home to see how you react to whatever medication you choose.

I agree with that. I can't imagine anything worse than having a weird unexpected drug reaction in a closed, cramped, noisy and strange environment like a long-haul flight.

I too get no effect from melatonin, even when I tried it for a substantial period before my trip, to get my internal time clock adjusted. But Ambien worked like a charm. Just about the time you think it's not going to work, you realize that you're actually waking up, reasonably refreshed, just outside your destination.

Ambien for me too...love that stuff!!
I take it right after the meal and am out in a minute...wake up at breakfast a little before landing...ready to go!
Shadow

I've not tried it for jetlag, but do take it when I want a good night's sleep and it works great for me. When I take other sleep medications I wake up feeling very groggy, but not with melotonin. I agree with the previous posts that say try it out first - one of my side effects is that I dream very vividly, so its not a bad side effect, but still, you never know how something will affect you.

I have taken melotonin at home--1/2
pill and I am gone in 20 min. It
does nothing for my husband. I plan
to try it on an upcoming trip.

It doesn't put me to sleep on the plane, but I take it the first two nights at destination and I think it helps my body to adjust to the time change. I haven't tried Ambien yet, so I'm not sleeping on planes so far.

I have good results with melatonin. the dosages in health food stores are higher than you need, it's best to use 500mg (closer to physiological dose). Tak it for 1 or 2 nights before you leave in the late afternoon. Then (assuming overnight flight) take it when you get on the plane - it's ok to supplement with a sleeping pill. then take melatonin at bedtime the first few nights in Europe.

I use melatonin on the plane as it doesn't fully knock me out but leaves me in a fugue state, afterwards I wake up feeling qite refreshed. I then use it for three or four nights to reset my sleep rythms.

Since you usually can only sleep for about 4-5 hours on a plane - does Melatonin or Ambien allow you to do that short an amount of time?

When going to Europe, I take an ambien almost immediately after takeoff. I wake rested and have a good day instead of a jetlagged one. I tried melatonin once and it did nothing. Besides, it's not regulated the way prescription drugs are. You can't be sure how accurate the dosage is. Was it made somewhere where they used contaminated water? China? Give me my FDA any day!

LLindaC - Do you ride in Coach? Do you wake up stiff?

I too am a huge fan of Ambien. I have tried melatonin on several occassions but it did nothing for me.

Tracy

Yes I ride in coach. I also wear travel socks for even short flights. I always stretch a bit before boarding. I generally get 6 hours of sleep. From experience, I also wear earplugs and sometimes wear padded earphones with soft classical music playing. I've worn sleep masks as well, but they are a bituncomfortable. The only time I had to really resist sleep and time the Ambien was when we flew to Africa. You can't fly that long without getting up and stretching, etc But for Europe, this plan works for us. ps...I take 10 mg , my husband only needs 5. Long, funny story about his 10 mg experience, but in a nutshell...he passed out on the bed in a hotel room and didn't wake up even when 4 men came in the room and knocked down the bathroom door (stuck) to let my daughter out. LOL! So, do try it first!

I find prescription meds more reliable and predictable than natural remedies myself.

Melantonin works for me - especially taking it for 3-4 evenings beforehand and 2-3 evenings after arrival - both helps get to sleep and avoid jetlag
I've also used Benadryl 25 mg for those who can't tolerate Ambien (makes me totally spaced for most of the next day) And benadryl is an available over-the counter drug.

Benedryl makes me extremely "hyped up". I'm not disagreeing with any recommendation but strongly agreeing with the idea of using anything new at home before experimenting on the plane ride!

Yes, melatonin can contribute to extremely vivid dreams. In addition, if you are predisposed to depression, or have an underlying or emerging depression, it may exacerbate the symptoms. Alcohol abusers, beware!