Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 81493

Shown: posts 1 to 21 of 21. This is the beginning of the thread.

 

Trazodone

Posted by Collete on October 17, 2001, at 13:21:15

I have just started taking this to help with my pill resistant insomnia ( not helped by the fact that I am taking Geodon). I have taken 25mgs the last two nights. The first night I slept well but last night I was still up for most of the night and had to resort to Benedyl. I will try the 50 mg tonight but I am wondering about the light headache that I have had for the first half of each day. Is that going to get better over time? Will the Trazodone become more effective over time? Thanks if you are able to share any experience with this medication, Collette

 

Re: Trazodone

Posted by Joy on October 17, 2001, at 16:03:12

In reply to Trazodone, posted by Collete on October 17, 2001, at 13:21:15

I take 50 mgs Trazodone for the same reason you take it[I take daily AD]. It needs a little time, and hopefully the headaches will lessen and then go away. I take it with .50 Xanax about 45 minutes before bedtime. It doesn't work instanteously, but should start to work within 2 or 3 weeks.


> I have just started taking this to help with my pill resistant insomnia ( not helped by the fact that I am taking Geodon). I have taken 25mgs the last two nights. The first night I slept well but last night I was still up for most of the night and had to resort to Benedyl. I will try the 50 mg tonight but I am wondering about the light headache that I have had for the first half of each day. Is that going to get better over time? Will the Trazodone become more effective over time? Thanks if you are able to share any experience with this medication, Collette

 

Re: Trazodone » Joy

Posted by Collete on October 17, 2001, at 17:27:48

In reply to Re: Trazodone, posted by Joy on October 17, 2001, at 16:03:12

> I take 50 mgs Trazodone for the same reason you take it[I take daily AD]. It needs a little time, and hopefully the headaches will lessen and then go away. I take it with .50 Xanax about 45 minutes before bedtime. It doesn't work instanteously, but should start to work within 2 or 3 weeks.

My pdoc told me to take it 2 hours before I want to go to sleep. I also take .50 Xanax plus 50mg benedryl and a muscle relaxor called Soma. I would love to get off some of this! Do you find that you need to take Trazodone with food? Also did you personally experience the headache in the beginning? Thank you very much, Collette

 

Re: Trazodone » Collete

Posted by paxvox on October 18, 2001, at 16:34:23

In reply to Trazodone, posted by Collete on October 17, 2001, at 13:21:15

Collette,

Trazodone can be a very effective sleep agent for many. I used it for awhile, up to 100mg at night (which is still below its therapeutic level as an AD). Unfortunately, it had some effects on me, like urinary retention, that made me have to stop using it. If it works for you, and you CAN increase dose as necessary, you are VERY lucky! Hope it does help you!

PAX

 

Side effects with Trazodone? » paxvox

Posted by Collete on October 18, 2001, at 16:48:34

In reply to Re: Trazodone » Collete, posted by paxvox on October 18, 2001, at 16:34:23

I had been taking 25 mgs for about 2 days and last night I took 50. I STILL was awake all night! During all three days I have been really unfocused and absent-minded. Could this be the Trazodone? I am taking Geodon and it is really exacerbating my insomnia. Waiting for a call from my pdoc....Collette

 

Re: Side effects with Trazodone? » Collete

Posted by paxvox on October 18, 2001, at 18:59:07

In reply to Side effects with Trazodone? » paxvox, posted by Collete on October 18, 2001, at 16:48:34

Collete,

I took Trazodone for up to six months at a time several different times during the past 10 years, up to the dose of 100mgs at night. I did have the side effects I mentioned, however I never had any "hangover" effects or any mental clouding. It could be your other meds (you mentioned Geodon?). I do know that I took Traz with 3 different types of ADs tricyclics,Prozac and Wellbutrin (was not taking all the ADs at the same time, but over a period of years). Personally, I think the Traz worked well for a bit. It has few negative side effects, and is often prescribed by GPs as well as Pdocs as a "better" alternative to the benzos, since Traz is not addictive as they are. Stick with it,and increase your dose (ask doc first) until you find the right amount that works for you. If you DO get it to work, as I said before, be VERY happy, because it can be used for a long period of time effectively. Good luck!

PAX

 

Re: Side effects with Trazodone? » paxvox

Posted by Collete on October 18, 2001, at 19:31:35

In reply to Re: Side effects with Trazodone? » Collete, posted by paxvox on October 18, 2001, at 18:59:07

> Collete,
>
> I took Trazodone for up to six months at a time several different times during the past 10 years, up to the dose of 100mgs at night. I did have the side effects I mentioned, however I never had any "hangover" effects or any mental clouding. It could be your other meds (you mentioned Geodon?). I do know that I took Traz with 3 different types of ADs tricyclics,Prozac and Wellbutrin (was not taking all the ADs at the same time, but over a period of years). Personally, I think the Traz worked well for a bit. It has few negative side effects, and is often prescribed by GPs as well as Pdocs as a "better" alternative to the benzos, since Traz is not addictive as they are. Stick with it,and increase your dose (ask doc first) until you find the right amount that works for you. If you DO get it to work, as I said before, be VERY happy, because it can be used for a long period of time effectively. Good luck!
>
> PAX

Ok, my pdoc has left for a 2 week vacation and left me in a lurch as well! He was supposed to call me with advice about what to do. I am pretty upset with him. I don't know whether to try 100 mgs or stop altogether and I don't know if I would have withdrawal symptoms after just a few doses either.

 

Re: Side effects with Trazodone? » Collete

Posted by paxvox on October 19, 2001, at 8:06:52

In reply to Re: Side effects with Trazodone? » paxvox, posted by Collete on October 18, 2001, at 19:31:35

There are no withdrawal symptoms from Trazodone, that I am aware of. I PERSONALLY would consider the 100mg, but I would not advise you to do that w/o some medical input. I don't think it would do you any harm, but it's always better to err on the side of safety. Do you have a GP or OBGYN that you could call for advice? If you explain to them that your Pdoc is out of town, they might assist you. If that fails, call the pharmacy that prescibed you the Traz, and speak to the pharmacist. I can't believe your Pdoc doesn't have somebody on call to cover them though, have you called the answering service? If any medical professional was going to have an oncall backup, you would think a Pdoc would. As a matter of fact, I would find a different Pdoc if that proved to be the case. I live in a small city, 25k, and our Pdocs work oncall backups that aren't even in the same practice! Sounds fishy to me. Check it out.

PAX

 

Re: Side effects with Trazodone? » paxvox

Posted by Collete on October 19, 2001, at 9:41:25

In reply to Re: Side effects with Trazodone? » Collete, posted by paxvox on October 19, 2001, at 8:06:52

Paxvox,my husband came up the same suggestion. I had felt this didn't qualify as an "emergency". Happily, the pdoc on call WAS my doc, so I got to go over my various concerns with him. He told me the same things as you did ( I had not read your post at the time). No withdrawal and to take 100 mg and just be prepared for the possible "side effects." He also assured me that it would be safe to just stop the T if the side effects were a problem. Well, it is early in the day so I am not sure about how my focus will be yet, but I am happy to report that I WAS able to fall asleep, thank God!
It was a little hard to get out of bed this am...I slept late and wanted to sleep in even longer but I felt that would screw up my night sleep more. THANK YOU SO MUCH for your concern and (good) suggestions. I am now hoping that the lack of ability to think straight will prove to be a result of sleep depravation and not the Traz.
BTW, he told me to stay on my cocktail of .5 mg Xanax, 50 mg Benedryl and Soma until I am sleeping regularly. Only then, am I to consider cutting back on any of those drugs.
Thanks again, Collette

 

Re: Side effects with Trazodone? » Collete

Posted by paxvox on October 19, 2001, at 12:42:24

In reply to Re: Side effects with Trazodone? » paxvox, posted by Collete on October 19, 2001, at 9:41:25

Good deal, Collete! Glad to hear you are doing better. I think your meds will stabilize in a day or so, and that you will get back to a better sleep cycle. It is a good idea to maintain good "sleep hygeine" as it's called. By this, I mean, get into the same routine as much as possible when you go to bed and when you get up. I have had sleep problems for 15 years, and I have found that if I "let" myself stay in bed a little bit longer on the weekends, or a day off, that I actually feel a whole lot worse that day, and have even more trouble getting to sleep that night. Hope all goes well with you!

PAX

 

Re: Side effects with Trazodone? » paxvox

Posted by Collete on October 19, 2001, at 14:54:39

In reply to Re: Side effects with Trazodone? » Collete, posted by paxvox on October 19, 2001, at 12:42:24

and I have found that if I "let" myself stay in bed a little bit longer on the weekends, or a day off, that I actually feel a whole lot worse that day, and have even more trouble getting to sleep that night.

Yes, me too...both sleep problems all my life and having problems with my whole day when I "sleep in". I am on both Prozac AND Geodon..both causers of insomnia as well, so that doesn't help! I haven't felt as spacey today so I am thinking that "side effect" was because of the bad insomnia and not the trazodone ( I hope)! I will just stay with everything as is and see how things progress. Thanks yet again!:) Collette

 

Re: Trazodone

Posted by Joy on October 20, 2001, at 17:56:57

In reply to Re: Trazodone » Joy, posted by Collete on October 17, 2001, at 17:27:48

Collete,
Trazadone is supposed to be taken with food though I don't do that usually, without any consequences I am aware of. Sometimes I take it an hour or so before bedtime with the .5 Xanax. I don't want to add more pills to my nighttime regiment; 40 mgs Prozac in the morning and the above works well for me. [I am 57 years young, btw]. Hope all is well.
Joy


> > I take 50 mgs Trazodone for the same reason you take it[I take daily AD]. It needs a little time, and hopefully the headaches will lessen and then go away. I take it with .50 Xanax about 45 minutes before bedtime. It doesn't work instanteously, but should start to work within 2 or 3 weeks.
>
> My pdoc told me to take it 2 hours before I want to go to sleep. I also take .50 Xanax plus 50mg benedryl and a muscle relaxor called Soma. I would love to get off some of this! Do you find that you need to take Trazodone with food? Also did you personally experience the headache in the beginning? Thank you very much, Collette

 

Re: Side effects with Trazodone?

Posted by Tressa on August 8, 2003, at 12:49:46

In reply to Re: Side effects with Trazodone? » paxvox, posted by Collete on October 19, 2001, at 14:54:39

Hello recently a new physciatrist (sp) has taken me off of ambien and put me on trazodone he also added another med called lamictal but i am also on wellbutrin lithobid and risperdal per day. My problem is since i have been taking the lamictal and the traz I do not know which would be causing these problems i am having. When on the ambien I was up and ready to get stuff done by 8 am now it seems i dont even wake up till 9:30 or 10:00 then i feel as though my head is going to explode and i feel as though i have been out on a drunk
during the day. My head is all cloudy and its like i am in a tunnel. Could these be side effects from either of these meds? They seem to me as it become alittle dangerous ecspecially when I am driving with my children
Thank you Tressa

 

Re: Side effects with Trazodone? » Tressa

Posted by KimberlyDi on August 8, 2003, at 15:49:47

In reply to Re: Side effects with Trazodone?, posted by Tressa on August 8, 2003, at 12:49:46

When I first started taking Trazadone, it really messed with my head. I had to break pills in half, from 1 100mg to 2 50mg, until my body started adjusting to it. Now, I wake up fine. My husband *borrows* 1/2 every once in awhile when insomnia & stress keeps him awake. He's not used to it, and he has a hard time waking up. I hate when docs prescribe different med's all at the same time.

Try halving your trazadone and see how you feel.
KDi in Texas

> Hello recently a new physciatrist (sp) has taken me off of ambien and put me on trazodone he also added another med called lamictal but i am also on wellbutrin lithobid and risperdal per day. My problem is since i have been taking the lamictal and the traz I do not know which would be causing these problems i am having. When on the ambien I was up and ready to get stuff done by 8 am now it seems i dont even wake up till 9:30 or 10:00 then i feel as though my head is going to explode and i feel as though i have been out on a drunk
> during the day. My head is all cloudy and its like i am in a tunnel. Could these be side effects from either of these meds? They seem to me as it become alittle dangerous ecspecially when I am driving with my children
> Thank you Tressa

 

Re: Side effects with Trazodone?

Posted by Viridis on August 9, 2003, at 2:17:25

In reply to Re: Side effects with Trazodone?, posted by Tressa on August 8, 2003, at 12:49:46

I tried Trazodone for a while and although it helped with sleep, I was very groggy in the morning, and had a "hung over" feeling. I didn't like it at all, although maybe I just didn't give it enough time. Luckily, insomnia isn't much of a problem for me now, with benzos and the resulting reduction in anxiety.

As another poster mentioned, you might try reducing the dose. Even 25 mg made me pretty sleepy, and the pills are easy to divide.

 

Re: Side effects with Trazodone?

Posted by Bellamarie79 on August 9, 2003, at 18:14:05

In reply to Re: Side effects with Trazodone?, posted by Tressa on August 8, 2003, at 12:49:46

I took trazedone before, and almost went to the hospital because I felt like my "head was going to explode". I never took it again. My doctor put me on Seroquel 50mg and said that would help me sleep--we'll see.

 

Re: Side effects with Trazodone? » Tressa

Posted by freedom2001 on August 11, 2003, at 9:29:24

In reply to Re: Side effects with Trazodone?, posted by Tressa on August 8, 2003, at 12:49:46

> Hello recently a new physciatrist (sp) has taken me off of ambien and put me on trazodone he also added another med called lamictal but i am also on wellbutrin lithobid and risperdal per day. My problem is since i have been taking the lamictal and the traz I do not know which would be causing these problems i am having. When on the ambien I was up and ready to get stuff done by 8 am now it seems i dont even wake up till 9:30 or 10:00 then i feel as though my head is going to explode and i feel as though i have been out on a drunk
> during the day. My head is all cloudy and its like i am in a tunnel. Could these be side effects from either of these meds? They seem to me as it become alittle dangerous ecspecially when I am driving with my children
> Thank you Tressa


I've been on Trazodone for many months.
Initially I was on 50 mg. It puts me to peaceful sleep in an hours time. The trouble is waking up in the morning with a goggy head and trouble walking properly.

I've since cut down to 25 mg (cutting the tablets into half) and it still works, with less side effects. I think 25 mg is the optimum sleep dosage unless you have very serious insomnia, which you will need 50 mg (and that takes about 12 hours to clear away completely...)

 

Re: Trazodone

Posted by tiredman on October 20, 2003, at 14:58:12

In reply to Trazodone, posted by Collete on October 17, 2001, at 13:21:15

I just started taking trazadone five days ago. I'm up to 125 mg. (with 2.0 mg lorazapam) and I feel like a tired, depressed zombie all day.

I really don't like the stuff but it seems to be the only thing that works (lorazapam wears off after four hours)

 

Re: Trazodone

Posted by freedom2001 on October 20, 2003, at 15:42:47

In reply to Re: Trazodone, posted by tiredman on October 20, 2003, at 14:58:12

> I just started taking trazadone five days ago. I'm up to 125 mg. (with 2.0 mg lorazapam) and I feel like a tired, depressed zombie all day.
>
> I really don't like the stuff but it seems to be the only thing that works (lorazapam wears off after four hours)

Gosh, why do you need 125mg of trazodone for sleep? 50mg should knock you off....

 

Side effects with Trazodone?

Posted by samuri bob on June 20, 2005, at 20:42:09

In reply to Re: Side effects with Trazodone?, posted by Bellamarie79 on August 9, 2003, at 18:14:05

hey...i take 50mg of trazodone...i am only 15 and it makes me feel tired but doesnt knock me out until i lay down...a couple nights ago i took it at 12 and i was still up till 4 but i was extremly tired and had to go to the bathroom...so i stood up from my bed and felt my self get extremely light... i started 2 walk and i know my door was shut but i woke up on the floor and the door was open...i am gettin very light headed during the day and i kant eat...but i also take 15mg aderol...wut should i do? i dont want to take either of the pills...

 

Re: Side effects with Trazodone? » samuri bob

Posted by 4WD on June 22, 2005, at 23:40:36

In reply to Side effects with Trazodone?, posted by samuri bob on June 20, 2005, at 20:42:09

> hey...i take 50mg of trazodone...i am only 15 and it makes me feel tired but doesnt knock me out until i lay down...a couple nights ago i took it at 12 and i was still up till 4 but i was extremly tired and had to go to the bathroom...so i stood up from my bed and felt my self get extremely light... i started 2 walk and i know my door was shut but i woke up on the floor and the door was open...i am gettin very light headed during the day and i kant eat...but i also take 15mg aderol...wut should i do? i dont want to take either of the pills...

Have you talked to your doctor? I find the thing about waking up on the floor very scary. The lightheadedness could be from not eating?

50mg of trazadone really would knock me out. How long have you been taking that dose?

Marsha


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