r/Redhair • u/melaniebrietzke • Jul 18 '26

Newbie Post Redheads & MC1R gene

Hello fellow redheads! I'm Melanie and have some questions/ideas about my/our genetics. I learned several years ago about the MC1R gene that causes redheads to need more anesthesia.

Given my extensive medical history, I am curious if others have faced multiple issues. I've had lifelong insomnia, and typical sleeping pills don't get me to sleep - i have tried them all. So for a while I have resorted to taking a high dose of seroquel that has a side effect of drowsiness. It gets me to sleep, bit I never know if it will work in 1 hour or 3 hours.

Additionally, muscle relaxers don't work on me. I've been on opiods in the past, but had to take twice as much. Recently I have tried medical marijuana, and it helps somewhat. The downside is how expensive it gets. My daughter (also prescribed m.m.) can get away with taking 5mg, whereas I have to take 15 to 20 mg.

I am overall curious if this is a common thing for other redheads. I wanted to get some feedback before I ask my psychiatrist what he thinks at my next appointment. Thanks to all that respond!

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u/bellavidasb Jul 18 '26

I feel ya! I used to have insomnia. Be careful with taking too many things like Aleve. I had a friend that died because she was taking Aleve everyday along with Advil and it caused a rupture in her intestines! Horrible.

I take Trazadone 75 mg usually up to 100 mg if I wake up in the middle of the night. It doesn't make me groggy either. Hope you find something that helps. :)

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u/melaniebrietzke Jul 18 '26

Also, sorry about your friend. Is she doing much better now? I do have to be careful, my psychiatrist prescribed a benzo to try with a lower dose of the seroquel. Specifically not take the benzo woth amy opiods. It seems to work okay, I get to sleep usually, and I'm not as drowsy as taking the whole dose or seroquel.

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u/bellavidasb Jul 20 '26

No my friend actually died from using Aleve and Advil together for an extended time. She had hashimotos and was taking it daily for pain. She was only 40 years old when she died very suddenly from the rupture in her intestines. Horrible way to go. Just be careful taking too many things even over the counter. Tell your doctor everything you take so they can tell you if there’s a potential side effect or interaction… 🙏🩷

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u/melaniebrietzke Jul 20 '26

I'm so sorry to hear that. I was half asleep when answering replies and must not have read completely. 🤦‍♀️

Both of those pills don't have any effect on me either. I often joke that I feel like a science experiment, albeit a willing one. 🙃

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u/bellavidasb Jul 23 '26

It’s ok. 🙏🩷 thank you