topic Re: TRAZODONE in Wellness

TRAZODONE

fortune — Wed, 12 Aug 2020 02:46:43 GMT

Have any of you forumers taken Trazodone for sleeping or depression? Just wondered about side effects and problems when discontinuing this drug.

Re: TRAZODONE

furbabylover — Wed, 12 Aug 2020 03:18:14 GMT

My understanding of this drug from a family member who has taken it on and off for years is that it is one of the safest drugs of this type to take. It really helps with sleep, and no grogginess in the morning. As far as depression goes, trazadone is an SSRI, like Prozac, but apparently doesn't have the bad withdrawal symptoms you get with other SSRI's. It is tried and true, and has been through a lot of studies.

Re: TRAZODONE

Jewelieonna — Wed, 12 Aug 2020 03:27:32 GMT

This is the best sleeping medication with only one bad side effect if you are male. I have been taking it since 1998. Can quit at anytime no withdrawals.

Re: TRAZODONE

JudyL — Wed, 12 Aug 2020 03:33:32 GMT

I've been taking it for years with no side effects or grogginess in the mornings. I use it for sleep and had heard it helps with depression but can't speak to how it works for that.

Re: TRAZODONE

BlueFinch — Wed, 12 Aug 2020 04:13:28 GMT

The dose for treating depression is generally higher than the typical dose prescribed as a sleeping agent. Of course, for sleep, the dose may only be taken, as needed, whereas for depression, daily dosing is required. In both cases, this medication is very well tolerated.

Trazodone for sleep was a standing order for many of my hospitalized patients due to its low risk (for side effects and dependence), compared to other classes of meds.

It was rare, when I had a patient who said Trazodone did not assist with sleep, at all, unless they had a high tolerance due to prior controlled substances, or street drugs.

Re: TRAZODONE

fortune — Wed, 12 Aug 2020 04:41:01 GMT

@fortune wrote:
Have any of you forumers taken Trazodone for sleeping or depression? Just wondered about side effects and problems when discontinuing this drug.

I'm answering my own question. The first night, I took 1 50mg. tablet. I lay awake for three hours. The second night, I took my second tablet--1 50mg. tablet. I lay awake for 5 hours. The third day, I didn't take any Trazodone. Slept slightly better. The fourth day after discontinuing the medicine, I got a bad dizzy spell and fell to the floor. It took my son and two neighbors to get me on my feet after I tried for two hours to get up myself before calling for help! So, I won't be taking this medication again!

Thanks for your responses! I'm glad that you'all have had much better experiences with Trazodone!

Re: TRAZODONE

violann — Wed, 12 Aug 2020 11:51:45 GMT

I took it for quite a while, probably at least a year or more, when I was working full time and taking care of my mother.

When my doctor told me to stop taking them, I stopped. I think I was taking the smallest dose prescribed.

No problems at all starting, none stopping.

Re: TRAZODONE

goldensrbest — Wed, 12 Aug 2020 13:20:24 GMT

Been on this for quite a few years,no side effects works like a charm .

Re: TRAZODONE

chickenbutt — Wed, 12 Aug 2020 15:05:52 GMT

I wish I STILL had it! Many years ago when I still had medical care, I was taking it and it was wonderful. It is a depression med, but it's one you take at night. I took Zoloft in the morning and Trazadone at night.

Not only did it help me (a lot!!) to sleep, but it made the nightmares go away. I never had any kind of side-effects from it at all and no drowsiness or anything like that, either.

Re: TRAZODONE

plc123 — Wed, 12 Aug 2020 16:29:43 GMT

I have been taking 50 mg a night for years. No problem. My Dr. said it is very safe. There is some nights i don't sleep well but for the most part it helps.

Re: TRAZODONE

SandGirl — Wed, 12 Aug 2020 17:51:38 GMT

My mom has been on it for over 20 years, can miss a week or so with no issues, she takes at night for sleep and "balance", helped her through the change...

My BFF's mom has take it since her husband passed well over 20 years ago, she had anxiety and issues sleeping, she is still on it with no side effects.

I have taken it as well, no side effects, my Dr. told me it's one of the oldest and safest drugs especially at low dose (under 100mg). It's mainly used for sleep and mild anxietiy issues these days.

Re: TRAZODONE

Mindy D — Fri, 14 Aug 2020 19:22:16 GMT

@fortune wrote:
Have any of you forumers taken Trazodone for sleeping or depression? Just wondered about side effects and problems when discontinuing this drug.

@fortune @fortune Trazodone is reported to have the same discontinuation syndrome as o SSRI medications. IT IS NOT AN SSRI, THOUGH.The package insert for it and the information at drugs. com which come from the PDR, FDA, and the pharma companies themselves had these discontinuation symptoms listed as a generalization for all SSRIs and not for Trazodone in particilar. I did not use Trazodne but I did withdraw from a different SSRI and it was horrible. I had sensations that are difficult to describe. My withdrawal continued for three weeks. I'll describe one symptom first. You know when you have been baking something really hot in the oven and you open the i en door and out your head down by the food and a giant, overwhelming heat comes out, surrounding you, burning your face and skin. That was one of the symptoms, only it didn't last for the brief amount of time that you get from the heat from the hot oven. It continued for three weeks. I also had strange feelings that felt like electric zaps you get when you get shocked from static electricity. I also had overall malaise, feeling horrible everywhere. I had twitches all over my body, especially in my fingers. My body's skin felt like it was on fire and the skin had strange crawling sensations. I had been on my SSRI at the time and I quit cold turkey because I didn't feel depressed anymore. My problem was that there were no warnings around about discontinuation syndrome back then and I quit cold turkey. I'm back on the same medication again but I will never quit without doctor support again. Unfortunately, doctors have no way of supressing the symptoms and they might come on even with slow tapering off of the medication. With all this being said, I do find help from my SSRI medication. I should add that not everyone undergoes discontinuation syndrome and the length of time you take any of the SSRI class of drugs can affect whether there will be a problem with discontinuation syndrome. I should also add that in my case, with my drug, my problem began around six or seven days after stopping the medication but the studies I will give you have an averatpge time at onset of four days. Different SSRIs are more likely than others to be accompanied by discontinuation syndrome and with the severity of symptoms. IF YOU LOOK AT THE INFORMATION ABOUT TRAZODONE, YOU CAN FIND OUT ABOUT ITS EFFECTS AND ABOUT DISCONTINUATION SYNDROME.

TRAZODONE at the FDA. Everything you could need to know.

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwioi6qmv5brAhUNP6wKHYeGC00QFjARegQIBxAB&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.accessdata.fda.gov%2Fdrugsatfda_docs%2Flabel%2F2017%2F018207s032lbl.pdf&usg=AOvVaw3P5NxaKJnfcn1LMT8CSDTD

Re: TRAZODONE

furbabylover — Wed, 12 Aug 2020 20:57:30 GMT

SSRI's are now the subject of class action lawsuits around the world due to the drug manufacturers not disclosing the horrible and prolonged, sometimes permanent, side effects from withdrawal. The fact is that these drug companies never did the research to find out what happens to the human brain when a neurotransmitter re-uptake inhibitor (like Prozac, etc.) is discontinued. Now there are thousands of organizations, sites and forums around the world screaming to the public about the horrific dangers that may lie ahead after withdrawal. All you have to do is Google "antidepressant withdrawal" and you will come up with many, many sites documenting the misery of former antidepressant users. If one's withdrawal lasts for only a few weeks, then count yourself lucky. More likely is the scenario of dealing with physical, mental and emotional issues for months or years afterward. The biggest and foremost withdrawal symptom is intractable, relentless insomnia. The stories out there of people who are frantic because they are averaging 2 hours a night sleep, for months or years, are heartbreaking. If you are considering going on one of these drugs, do your homework. And don't count on your psychiatrist to be aware of the consequences of these drugs. Most are resistant to admitting the aftermath.

Re: TRAZODONE

fortune — Thu, 13 Aug 2020 03:28:24 GMT

@fortune wrote:
@fortune wrote:
Have any of you forumers taken Trazodone for sleeping or depression? Just wondered about side effects and problems when discontinuing this drug.

I'm answering my own question. The first night, I took 1 50mg. tablet. I lay awake for three hours. The second night, I took my second tablet--1 50mg. tablet. I lay awake for 5 hours. The third day, I didn't take any Trazodone. Slept slightly better. The fourth day after discontinuing the medicine, I got a bad dizzy spell and fell to the floor. It took my son and two neighbors to get me on my feet after I tried for two hours to get up myself before calling for help! So, I won't be taking this medication again!

Thanks for your responses! I'm glad that you'all have had much better experiences with Trazodone!

p.s. Last night, I lay in bed for 6 hours and never slept at all!

Re: TRAZODONE

Northray — Thu, 13 Aug 2020 16:23:00 GMT

My gram has dementia and for dementia patients that can't sleep at night they prescribe Trazadone. It has been a blessing for my gram and my mom (she is taking care of gram). If gram sleeps at night so does mom.

Re: TRAZODONE

sophiamarie — Thu, 13 Aug 2020 19:09:56 GMT

@fortune wrote:
p.s. Last night, I lay in bed for 6 hours and never slept at all!

@fortune Did you take the pill last night?

Re: TRAZODONE

SandGirl — Thu, 13 Aug 2020 19:13:28 GMT

@sophiamarie wrote:
@fortune wrote:
p.s. Last night, I lay in bed for 6 hours and never slept at all!

@fortune Did you take the pill last night?

Traz is not an over night sucess, best results are seen after taken nightly for at least 3 weeks, it's not a sleeping pill like lunesta and such.

Take each night and give it time to work, do not give up after the first night or even week.

Re: TRAZODONE

sophiamarie — Thu, 13 Aug 2020 19:54:41 GMT

@SandGirl I was just curious since the OP said she wasn't taking it any more. So, I wondered why she couldn't sleep last night. Did she take the pill again, or is she not taking it any more???

Re: TRAZODONE

Mindy D — Fri, 14 Aug 2020 19:18:26 GMT

@furbabylover wrote:
SSRI's are now the subject of class action lawsuits around the world due to the drug manufacturers not disclosing the horrible and prolonged, sometimes permanent, side effects from withdrawal. The fact is that these drug companies never did the research to find out what happens to the human brain when a neurotransmitter re-uptake inhibitor (like Prozac, etc.) is discontinued. Now there are thousands of organizations, sites and forums around the world screaming to the public about the horrific dangers that may lie ahead after withdrawal. All you have to do is Google "antidepressant withdrawal" and you will come up with many, many sites documenting the misery of former antidepressant users. If one's withdrawal lasts for only a few weeks, then count yourself lucky. More likely is the scenario of dealing with physical, mental and emotional issues for months or years afterward. The biggest and foremost withdrawal symptom is intractable, relentless insomnia. The stories out there of people who are frantic because they are averaging 2 hours a night sleep, for months or years, are heartbreaking. If you are considering going on one of these drugs, do your homework. And don't count on your psychiatrist to be aware of the consequences of these drugs. Most are resistant to admitting the aftermath.

I had intractable insomnia BEFORE I went on my SSRI. It was my SSRI that stopped it. I have also been through withdrawal. A horrible experience, but for me, my medication made a tremendous difference. Treatments with these medications should be supervised by highly knowledgeable doctors, hopefully board certified psychiatrists knowledgeable about psychotropics. The medications are not all good or all bad. They can be life savers for some patients. You're right that withdrawal symptoms were downplayed. Specific drugs are associated with more severe withdrawal.

@furbabylover Trazodone is not an SSRI.

Re: TRAZODONE

CatsyCline — Thu, 13 Aug 2020 23:24:17 GMT

Trazodone is NOT an SSRI .