[herethennow]

I know there are many threads out there on sleeping meds.. I'm sorry to make a new one >_<

I saw my new pdoc the other day and he's more flexible than the old one. He told me that if I wanted a sleeping aid I can just ask him.. he suggested trazodone and I told him to put off the idea until the next time I see him.

To be quite honest, I'm against the idea of using sleeping aids. However, that doesn't mean that I don't give them a try... I tried melatonin, doesn't really work. I tried 20mg of hydroxyzine every night... I felt more awake than ever. In fact, I tried fluvoxamine as my main antidepressant that is supposed to "sedate" me too, but I felt more awake on it than ever!

I'm wondering whether I should accept the trazodone idea... I need to change my sleep-wake cycle before school starts so.. I understand that trazodone is an antidepressant.. and currently I'm on Lexapro as an antidepressant and I know that SSRIs have withdrawal effects. I'm looking into the future and I know I will face withdrawal from Lexapro... Does trazodone have withdrawal effects with it? Can I take it as a PRN? I really don't want to get more side effects! Side effects seem to love me very much..

In addition, any other alternatives that I can suggest to the pdoc? :/ Also whats your experience with trazodone?

Thank you!!

[healingme4me]

I, personally, have no experience with Trazodone, however, from what my understanding is, it could possibly be prescribed, on an as needed basis.

Withdrawal, it would need to be tapered down. I have learned, that with meds, that are taken, as needed, sometimes, since it's not consistently in your system, the withdrawal could, stand to reason, be minimal.

You sound like myself, sometimes, when the pdoc, has recommended a medicine, I take the wait and see approach, and take my time, to make an informed decision, about whether or not, I want the medicine about to be prescribed. Kudos, to you, for thinking things through. It's your body, after all.

There are other meds, out there, yes. Are there reasons, why your pdoc may feel this is the more ideal of meds, for you? With your history, etc, I'd imagine, your doctor would try to give you what they feel will work better for you. (at least, we'd all hope so, right?! )

How about, writing down, all your questions, and thoughts, before your next appointment, and just rattling off a series of questions to your doctor? Even with some of the supportive words, given here?

[SingDanceRunLife]

Trazodone was a complete nightmare for me, but I went off cold turkey after 2 weeks and there were no ill effects.

[herethennow]

healing, yup actually I'm finding out as much as I possibly can before taking a sleeping aid! If its supposed to be my main AD then I'll just go with it. But sleeping aids are another story altogether.. what I'm most scared of is it's prescribed as a PRN, but I continuously take it for 14 nights and then the nightmare comes...

I don't know about "my history" part since he hasn't got to know me well, only got to know me from the previous pdoc and my casefile.. so :/ I'm just scared he's just pushing stuff on me. But he did say though that he didn't want to give me anything addictive, of which I agreed.

Thanks though healing!

SDRL, oooh but man, I'm really prone to side effects so I'm really scared. How was it a nightmare?

[otroo]

I take Trazadone and really like it. I have skipped doses when I knew I had to get up in four or five hours without any side affects I also went off of it for two weeks recently when I was on a trip and I forgot to pack them. Good luck on your decision.

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[shelbykay]

I've been taking trazodone nightly for the last two years with no problems. I fall asleep shortly after taking it, and I don't wake up drowsy/groggy. I love it and have no complaints about it.

[healingme4me]

I can appreciate your concerns about sleeping aids. There's a general rule of thumb with mine. No more that 3 per week. They really aren't designed to be taken nightly. They are more to kick start you back into a regular sleeping pattern.
I give myself a time frame at night, if I don't take it by 11pm, then I am just out of luck for that night, because I do need to make sure, I am awake in the morning, due to children.
I don't always take them because I cannot fall asleep, I sometimes take them because I have troubles sleeping through the night. When I notice a pattern of 2 or more days in a row, where my sleeping if 'off', I take one. Then, I am usually back on track. They aren't designed to be prescribed as a crutch, they are designed to help bring one back to a balanced sleeping pattern.
That's where therapy, etc, can help. The not being able to sleep, is something one can work through and see what's troubling their minds.

In my case, I learned this through the pharmacy, Insurance will only cover 10 pills, per month. I could pay out of pocket and receive the other 20 that the original prescription states. And it really wouldn't be that much money out of pocket. However, it's a controlled substance. It would be flagged. Our doctors, do monitor these prescriptions.

How to use trazedone and the addiction concern, could be addressed with your doctor.

Originally Posted by herethennow

healing, yup actually I'm finding out as much as I possibly can before taking a sleeping aid! If its supposed to be my main AD then I'll just go with it. But sleeping aids are another story altogether.. what I'm most scared of is it's prescribed as a PRN, but I continuously take it for 14 nights and then the nightmare comes...

I don't know about "my history" part since he hasn't got to know me well, only got to know me from the previous pdoc and my casefile.. so :/ I'm just scared he's just pushing stuff on me. But he did say though that he didn't want to give me anything addictive, of which I agreed.

Thanks though healing!

SDRL, oooh but man, I'm really prone to side effects so I'm really scared. How was it a nightmare?

I tried trazodone to help me with my Klonopin because that wasn't doing anything to help me sleep (klonopin really only helps with my nightmares when I DO sleep), and trazodone didn't make me sleepy at all. I had no side effects either, and I am that 1-2% who has the crazy side effects that no one ever has...thus why my dr. can't find an antidepressent or anti-anxiety med for me. The Klonopin I never even built up a tolerance to; it just never worked with my anxiety! So I gave up on the Trazodone (and pretty much sleeping).

Anyway, if you have taken those other drugs you mention and they didn't knock you out, I am guessing you are probably going to find the same with trazodone, but that's just a guess. My dr. never mentioned it being addictive, but what isn't addictive to some is addictive to others, in some cases. I would say try it out just because you never know, it could also help! Ask your dr. first about any questions you have, though.

And here is something else I was prescribed but couldn't tolerate (only because I already take a med that has the side effect of lowering my blood pressure):

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clonidine

Anyway, you might want to ask about it. The idea was to pair it with my Klonopin to help me sleep as well. Good luck!!

the doctor i have been seeing in hospital has recommended seroquel in very small doses. maybe you could ask your pdoc about it. good luck

[lindaLin]

I never took trazodone but I used zimovane/zopiclone for some time
I got off zopiclone 3 days ago and although I did it gradually as recommended the withdrawal symptoms are very bad for me
I wouldn't take any sleeping pills anymore...