[JustJace2u]

I'm sure I'm not the only who's experienced this. I was going to give it one more day before I called my pdoc, but then I realized he's not in the office on Wednesdays. Thankfully he called me back and is putting me on 50mg Trazodone as a PRN. If that doesn't work then we'll try Seroquel (which I'm trying to avoid at all costs because of the stories I've heard from others about it. *fingers crossed*

[Bird Feeder]

I take seroquel 100 mg for sleep, it's not that bad a med. Good luck with the trazadone though, I hear that's a good med for sleep. Pleasant dreams:-)

[*Laurie*]

Seroquel is very helpful for my sleep. Trazadone helps a lot of people; I hope it helps you.

[CobolCapsule]

I wouldn't be afraid of a low dose antipsychotic like seroquel, but maybe trazadone will work for you.
Good luck

[metamorphosis12]

*Trazodone is definitely considered a safer med, due to it's safer side effect profile. Low doses exploit has potent actions as a 5HT2A antagonist, and its properties as an antagonist of H1-histaminic (antihistamine) and α1-adrenergic receptors. Which at doses of 25-100mg causes drowsiness.
It has a half-life that can range from 6-9 hrs. From my own personal experience, I can't take more than 50mg. I would be like the zombies in 'Shaun of the Dead'. If I were to take higher doses. I haven't used it in a long time

*Seroquel is an AAP med and at low doses is a histamine blocker (antihistamine) and a adrenergic/ adrenal blocker, both of which usually causes drowsiness. Not to say Seroquel doesn't help many people but you do have to consider the side effects that are possible: increased weight gain, increased appetite, glycemic and cholesterol issues-
http://www.govexec.com/pdfs/013111bb1a.pdf

Seoquel's half life is around 6-7 hrs.
Seoquel XR has a half life of about 9-12 hrs.
Take into consideration if you are taking the meds. on a full or empty stomach, dose, and individual metabolism.

*This is basically a meta-analysis comparing Trazodone vs. Seroquel to treat insomnia-
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3977773/

*Some info on Seroquel-
Seroquel, Seroquel XR (quetiapine) dosing, indications, interactions, adverse effects, and more

Abstract on Seroquel off PubMed via Sage Journals with references and PDF links-
SAGE Journals: Your gateway to world-class journal research

Here's a link for Seroquel-
https://www.drugs.com/seroquel.html

Anecdotal feed back on Seroquel for sleep-
https://www.drugs.com/comments/queti...-insomnia.html

Do you take Seroquel or Seroquel XR for Insomnia? - Sleep Disorders - Perchance to Dream - CrazyBoards.org


*Summary from the study below on Trazodone-
Cognitive, psychomotor and polysomnographic effects of trazodone in primary insomniacs - ROTH - 2011 - Journal of Sleep Research - Wiley Online Library

Complete paper on Trazodone with a study and a lot of references to other studies/links-
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3165092/

Anecdotal reviews-
https://www.drugs.com/comments/trazo...-insomnia.html


Sleep Hygiene (Yeah, I know we've all heard about these)
Watching TV in bed Don't. TV viewing is not conducive to calming down.
Computer work in bed Don't work on a computer at all for at least an hour before going to bed.
Drinking alcoholic or caffeinated drinks at night Don't drink either for at least 3 hours before going to bed.
Taking medicines late at night Many prescription and nonprescription medicines can delay or disrupt sleep. If you take any on a regular basis, check with your doctor about this.
Big meals late at night Not ideal especially if you are prone to indigestion or heartburn. Allow at least 3 hours between dinner and going to bed.
Smoking at night Don't smoke for at least 3 hours before going to bed. (Better yet: quit!)
Lack of exercise Just do it! Regular exercise promotes healthy sleep.
Exercise late at night A no-no. Allow at least 4 hours between exercise and going to bed. It revs up your metabolism, making falling asleep harder.
Busy or stressful activities late at night Another no-no. Stop working or doing strenuous house work at least 2 hours before going to bed. The best preparation for a good night's rest is unwinding and relaxing.
Varying bedtimes Going to sleep at widely varying bed times -- 10:00 p.m. one night and 1:00 a.m. the next -- disrupts optimal sleep. The best practice is to go to sleep at around the same time every night, even on the weekends
Varying wake-up times Likewise, the best practice is to wake up around the same time every day (with not more than an hour's difference on the weekends).
Spending too much time in bed, tossing and turning Solving insomnia by spending too much time in bed is usually counter-productive; you'll become only more frustrated. Don't stay in bed if you are awake, tossing and turning. Get up and do something else until you are ready to go to sleep.
Late day napping Naps can be wonderful but should not be taken after 3:00 pm. This can disrupt your ability to get to sleep at night.
Poor sleep environment Noisy, too hot, uncomfortable bed, not dark enough, not the right covers or pillow -- all these can prevent a good night's sleep. Solve these problems if you have them.
Trazodone: Common sleep drug is little-known antidepressant - Consumer Reports

As always, talk to your pdoc/health care team about your choices and concerns!

[Submax]

I take trazadone. 50-100 mg for sleep. Works most of the time,but if I am going through an anxious time it won't work for me.

[Wonderfalls]

I had plenty of Seroquel side effects when I took it at a high enough dose to work as an antipsychotic. Now I take it for sleep at 50mg and I don't have any side effects (except sleep!)

[still_crazy]

I hope the trazadone works for you. I didn't much care for it, but it does help lots of people.

There are other options besides seroquel+trazadone, of course. I take gabapentin when needed for sleep, and its much more tolerable than most other non-controlled substance options.

Hydroxyzine...its an antihistamine from the old school that also helps anxiety and can lull you to sleep. I didn't much care for it, but it wasn't as noxious as seroquel.

I hope you get relief asap.

[CobolCapsule]

Originally Posted by Wonderfalls

I had plenty of Seroquel side effects when I took it at a high enough dose to work as an antipsychotic. Now I take it for sleep at 50mg and I don't have any side effects (except sleep!)

I agree the chances for side effects are slim when a low dose is used.

[xRavenx]

I was scared, just like you when I was first recommended Seroquel, but it may work very well for you, as it did for me. It takes getting used to.

I've been on various doses of Seroquel throughout the years. It's an interesting medication in the sense that it acts differently at various doses. It tends to be used for insomnia at lower doses (typically 100 mg or below. It feels like a strong antihistamine). Like others said, side effects are lower in this dose range for most, although severe fatigue is common, but only at first. Most get used to it, although of course not each drug is for everyone.

200-400 mg was sort of like an antidepressant for me, rather than an anti-manic. It might help prevent mania and hypomania in this dose range though, especially for maintenance.

I noticed it having an anti-manic and antipsychotic effect by the time I hit 600 mg, although I get some symptoms. The fatigue was bad for most doses initially, but oddly, higher doses usually means less fatigue once you get used to it. I get mild tremor, but the benefits outweigh the risks. Tremor isn't common at a low dose. I may not be symptom-free, but Seroquel has done me a lot of good.