Lowered Melatonin Dose

 I keep hoping to hear something like this from a doctor:  

YES, I have seen patients like you before.  Inexplicable and extreme reactions to pills are usually linked to a specific marker that is either undetectable or off the scale high in lab tests.  Though I can't guarantee that it will be effective for you, many of my patients have had success with X or Y treatment.

No such luck.  In fact, one doctor told me flat out that he has NEVER seen this before in TWENTY YEARS of practice!!

Yesterday's phone consult went about as expected.  He didn't have a simple straight answer but at least he listened (many dismiss it).  Dr. Cole's  protocol is a comprehensive plan to get to the bottom of it that would cost me upwards of $7,500.  I will keep it in mind but it's becoming more and more likely that it won't be necessary.  His at home urine test is what led me to the Melatonin through my own research, and for that I am grateful.

10 mg every night has completely eliminated the inexplicable reactions and significantly reduced the extreme dependency on key pills.  Unfortunately, it leaves me groggy and unmotivated especially in the morning.  By the afternoon, I begin to feel better and am "almost good" by the evening.  

My bare ass minimum standard for racing is a sub-60 minute 10K.  Based on recent evening workouts, I may already be there.  If not, it won't take much additional training to make it.  Just extend the distance of my standard workout to 3-4 miles.  Without the extreme reactions that prevented me from training, I see no reason why I can't do it.

Unfortunately, almost all races take place in the morning.  There is no way that I can meet the standard in the morning.  Last night, I reduced my dosage from 10mg down to 8.  I still got an immediate negative reaction but it was not as severe.  This morning's sprints were significantly better than yesterday morning but not nearly as good as the evening.

More importantly, the problem pills were still tolerated on the lowered dosage.  Once again, I was marginally faster AFTER Taurine and Colostrum.  I will stick with 8mg for 1 more night.  I want to see how bad I do in a real workout in the morning.  I could tweak the formula and take Melatonin at Lunch.  In that case, I would have to endure a rough afternoon but it will clear out by the next morning.

If I drop it down to 5-6 mg, I'm sure that it will reduce the side effects.  I'm not sure if it will remain effective.  Time will tell.  My ideal scenario is to take only 1-3 mg occasionally to prevent flare ups while facing minimal side effects.  If that happens, all of my demands will be met!  Hell, even if I have to take 5 mg every night and it's effective, that's still a LOT better than where I was just 1 week ago