Melatonin Part 2- Jury Still Out

 Again, I don't want to get my hopes up but if current trends continue, 2 out of my 3 demands will be met.  The first is for the inexplicable reactions to STOP.   

Liver Beef, Taurine and Colostrum gave me FITS in recent weeks.  This is the most maddening thing about this whole ordeal.  The last 2 days: No discernable reaction and I was actually marginally faster after taking the problem pill.  That's YUGE!

The second is no extreme dependency on any one pill.  Up until yesterday, that pill was Thym Adren.  I want to get to a point in which I can make it through a long weekend without it.  Just 3 days ago, I was nearly 2 minutes faster per mile IMMEDIATELY after taking the usual dosage. Yes, I had been taking it every day prior to that.  That should NEVER HAPPEN.  Tolerating one day off it is not enough to declare victory but I have to say that the prognosis looks good.

Today, I felt no discernable difference after taking the Thym Adren.  After the usual dose, I was only 15 seconds faster per mile over a short interval. Suppose I forget to pack it before a road trip.  I'd say chances are pretty good that it would NOT wreck the trip.  

The third demand is somewhat subjective.  I need enough energy to enjoy life and be productive.  I don't need to run a marathon but a 10K would be nice.  That way, at least, I can enjoy the social aspect of it.  Also, crashing on the weekends and having to take frequent naps is not acceptable.  

This demand has NOT been met as of yet.  Crashing on the 2nd lap of a Mile time trial will not be tolerated.  I would not have finished a 5K yesterday without walk breaks.  I feel groggy and unmotivated.  It's comparable to the zombie-like feeling of anti-depressants.  I wasn't sleepy yesterday evening but didn't want to do anything except lay awake in bed.  Melatonin is most definitely the culprit.

Best case scenario:

The Melatonin will be effective even if taken at low doses only a couple of times per week.  I can take 3 mg maybe only on Wednesday and Saturday and it will be enough to prevent the reactions and extreme dependency.  Low doses will be tolerated and will not cause significant side effects.

Worst case scenario:

I need 20 mg every day for it to be effective but the side effects are worse than the disease itself.

Prognosis:

I took 25 mg the first day and 20 mg the second day.  Clearly, that's too much.  I read that more than 10 mg is usually NOT recommended.  I will cut it down to 10 mg from now on and it must be taken before bed.  The million dollar questions:  Will the lower doses be enough?  If so, will the side effects be manageable?  

Early returns:

I've already lowered it from 25 to 20.  I only managed an 87 half lap yesterday.  Today, I clocked a 75 and it was just as effective in preventing the extreme dependency.  That's a good sign.  I've read that it's a sustained release pill.  That is, the full effect doesn't kick in for a few hours.  The fact that I felt an immediate positive impact suggests that I got results with a small amount in my system.