May2 Posted September 13, 2020 Share Posted September 13, 2020 Hi, I came across this article about the use of melatonin for cancer, especially for NSCLC. Sorry it is a very long article, feel free to skip the first a few paragraphs. I was wondering if anyone has any thoughts, or experience with this. https://cancerci.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12935-019-0853-7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BridgetO Posted September 13, 2020 Share Posted September 13, 2020 Hi May, I have had 3 unrelated cancers--the third one was NSLSC Stage 1a. On the recommendation of my naturopath, I've been taking melatonin at a dose of 20mg at bedtime. I can't remember whether I started taking this after diagnosed with my first cancer (breast) stage 1 or my second (endometrial/cervical) stage 3). In any event, I haven't had any recurrences and am NED on all of these. I don't know if melatonin helped,but I figured it probably wouldn't hurt, and it's not expensive, which are two of my criteria for using complementary medicines. I did reduce my dose to 10 mg recently, because I started having vivid (and usually unpleasant) dreams, which my naturopath said could be caused by melatonin. I don't know whether it was the melatonin or anxiety from the pandemic that was causing these, maybe both. I'll probably go back up to 20 at some point. Bridget O Quote May2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
May2 Posted September 14, 2020 Author Share Posted September 14, 2020 That is very helpful. Thank you so much for sharing your experience. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Judy M2 Posted September 14, 2020 Share Posted September 14, 2020 What an interesting theory. I have Stage IIIB NSCLC (EGFR mutation) and have been through radiation and chemo and am now on Tagrisso. I also take 10 MG of melatonin at bedtime for sleep. It can't hurt and it's inexpensive. Good to know about this emerging theory! May2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
May2 Posted September 14, 2020 Author Share Posted September 14, 2020 19 hours ago, BridgetO said: Hi May, I have had 3 unrelated cancers--the third one was NSLSC Stage 1a. On the recommendation of my naturopath, I've been taking melatonin at a dose of 20mg at bedtime. I can't remember whether I started taking this after diagnosed with my first cancer (breast) stage 1 or my second (endometrial/cervical) stage 3). In any event, I haven't had any recurrences and am NED on all of these. I don't know if melatonin helped,but I figured it probably wouldn't hurt, and it's not expensive, which are two of my criteria for using complementary medicines. I did reduce my dose to 10 mg recently, because I started having vivid (and usually unpleasant) dreams, which my naturopath said could be caused by melatonin. I don't know whether it was the melatonin or anxiety from the pandemic that was causing these, maybe both. I'll probably go back up to 20 at some point. Bridget O I am so happy to know your cancers are all under control. was your Oncologist supportive of Melatonin? Did it effect your labs in any way? I have NSCLC stage 4 btw. RET mutation. I am currently on Retevmo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BridgetO Posted September 14, 2020 Share Posted September 14, 2020 I didn't review my supplements (including melatonin, with my oncologist. I did review them with the chemo pharmacist, who had no objection to melatonin. Neither did my thoracic surgeon. May2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Judy M2 Posted September 14, 2020 Share Posted September 14, 2020 May2, my oncology nurse practitioner is the one who recommended melatonin when I told her I was having trouble sleeping. It seems to work for me and doesn't interact with Tagrisso. May2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
May2 Posted September 15, 2020 Author Share Posted September 15, 2020 Thank you Judy. how are you doing on Tagrisso? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Judy M2 Posted September 15, 2020 Share Posted September 15, 2020 I'm doing great on Tagrisso, May. Feeling good, scans are improving and no side effects. I did have to get an EKG and echocardiogram before I could start taking it but I don't have any cardiac issues that could be aggravated by the Tagrisso. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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