trazodone question from newbie
Question:
In article <19981013103244.24933.00000…@ng156.aol.com>, MaryP Fox <maryp…@aol.com> wrote:
:I saw my doctor who prescribed first Paxil. I lasted only four days due to :increased insomnia and terrible nausea. He then tried Elavil which didn’t make Your doctor sounds like a bozo vis-a-vis sleep; since insomnia _can_ be a symptom of depression, there’re a lot of clueless GPs who’ll throw Prozac at the sleepless for no reason beyond their own ignorance. Anyway — :thing that works consistently for me is alcohol (I know, I know but it is hard :to be rational at 3:00 A.M. when you KNOW a glass of wine will knock you out). If one glass works for you, I say hang the drugs and stick with the better-for-you one glass of wine. But — :1. Is it possible that trazodone is sedating for everyone but me? I’ve read Yes. I think it’s nasty stuff; I sat around `stoned’ but not at all tired. I still vote for the booze, but if that’s not an option, look into something called `Remeron.’ :results were seen. I would be willing to be patient if I knew that it takes a :little time to work. I have to disagree with the other people here who’re pointing out that antidepressants take a while to kick in, etc. Obvious I-am-not-a-doctor disclaimer, but fatigue is a side effect of Trazodone that’d be immediately apparent if it was going to work. If you were taking Trazodone not for sleep but for its antidepressant properties, then yes, it would take some time for it to kick in in that fashion, but its purely soporofic qualities should be evident from the first pill you try. :Emailed responses would be most appreciated. [posted & mailed]
Response:
maryp…@aol.com (MaryP Fox) wrote: >1. Is it possible that trazodone is sedating for everyone but me? I’ve read >the discussions of it in Deja News, and it seems to work well which is pretty >discouraging for me. >2. Could I need a higher dose? I asked my doctor this question, and he said >it was quite possible that I needed a higher dosage. He okay up to 150 mg per >day. Again, though, I thought as a slecould take 1-4 weeks before positive >results were seen. I would be willing to be patient if I knew that it takes a >little time to work. >Thanks in advance for your help. I find this whole thing very frustrating and >upsetting, and with two small children and a job I need to find an answer to >this problem sooner rather than later. >Emailed responses would be most appreciated. >Mary
I have been using Trazadone for over a year. My GP also tried me on Paxil, as well as several other drugs in the same class. None of them had any effect. I went to a specialist who tried the Trazadone and also started me on 50 mg. While I got some initial help with that, I increased the dosage to 75 mg which has been working fine ever since. I recall from this group that some people have used a dose as high as 150 mg. Any of these doses are well below the dosage for use as an anti-depressant. Once I increased the dosage to what helped, I had instant results and since I started using this drug, I’ve only had 2 sleepless nights in over a year. Don’t give up. Marc
Response:
On Tue, 13 Oct 1998 18:07:45 -0700, "dsps77" <priv…@nospam.com> wrote: >Trazodone is an SSRI; it’s related to–but not the same as–Paxil, Prozac, and Zoloft, etc.
Trazodone isn’t quite a SSRI. SSRIs are "selective seritonin reuptake inhibitors" which partially blocks the reuptake of seritonin in the nervous system. Trazadone, on the other hand, partially blocks a chemical that breaks down seritonin. Both increase seritonin but by different pathways.
Response:
I don’t know about this specific drug but some drugs take longer to be efficient. Don’t give up! A solution may be near. Raymond
Response:
Several years ago, my doctor started me on 50mg trazodone. When I told her I didn’t feel any sedative effect, she raised it to 100mg. At that dosage, I recall that it took a few days before I felt it, but it did eventually work. Trazodone is an SSRI; it’s related to–but not the same as–Paxil, Prozac, and Zoloft, etc. Like these meds, it can take anywhere from several days to several weeks before the desired effects are achieved… blah, blah, blah However, I found if I took it at "bedtime," it didn’t sedate me until well into the wee hours. I started taking the trazodone around 6-7pm, and that worked out fine–had me to sleep by 11:30pm. Although the doctor allowed me to take up to 150mg, I found I needed only 50-100mg, depending on how awake/tired I was. Maybe you should ask your doctor about taking the trazodone earlier? Sure, I know that glass of wine is tempting. The trouble with alcohol is that it does work, but if one glass of wine puts you to sleep this week, you may find it takes two or three glasses next week. Like the prescription label says, don’t mix alcohol with trazodone. Good luck, I hope you start getting some predictable sleep soon! –dsps77 (reply only to newsgroup) ———- MaryP Fox wrote in message <19981013103244.24933.00000…@ng156.aol.com>…
Up until last summer I was a very good sleeper. However, when we were selling our house and getting ready to move, I developed a terrible case of insomnia. I literally went from sleeping fine to not sleeping at all on some nights, and very little on others, overnight. I was sure after we were settled in our new home, the insomnia would go away. No such luck. Generally now, I will sleep fine for one or two nights (one time fours nights in a row!) and then be awake for one or two nights. It’s driving me crazy! I feel like I’m getting just enough sleep on some nights to stay awake on others. FWIW, once I get to sleep, I am OK. The issue is falling asleep. I saw my doctor who prescribed first Paxil. I lasted only four days due to increased insomnia and terrible nausea. He then tried Elavil which didn’t make me particularly sleepy and did make me constipated. Last Thursday, he put me on 50 mg of trazodone to be taken at bedtime. The good news is I haven’t experienced serious side effects. The bad news is I do not find it sedating, though if I do get to sleep it seems to enhance the quality of sleep. The only thing that works consistently for me is alcohol (I know, I know but it is hard to be rational at 3:00 A.M. when you KNOW a glass of wine will knock you out). So here are my questions: 1. Is it possible that trazodone is sedating for everyone but me? I’ve read the discussions of it in Deja News, and it seems to work well which is pretty discouraging for me. 2. Could I need a higher dose? I asked my doctor this question, and he said it was quite possible that I needed a higher dosage. He okay up to 150 mg per day. Again, though, I thought as a slecould take 1-4 weeks before positive results were seen. I would be willing to be patient if I knew that it takes a little time to work. Thanks in advance for your help. I find this whole thing very frustrating and upsetting, and with two small children and a job I need to find an answer to this problem sooner rather than later. Emailed responses would be most appreciated. Mary
Response:
Up until last summer I was a very good sleeper. However, when we were selling our house and getting ready to move, I developed a terrible case of insomnia. I literally went from sleeping fine to not sleeping at all on some nights, and very little on others, overnight. I was sure after we were settled in our new home, the insomnia would go away. No such luck. Generally now, I will sleep fine for one or two nights (one time fours nights in a row!) and then be awake for one or two nights. It’s driving me crazy! I feel like I’m getting just enough sleep on some nights to stay awake on others. FWIW, once I get to sleep, I am OK. The issue is falling asleep. I saw my doctor who prescribed first Paxil. I lasted only four days due to increased insomnia and terrible nausea. He then tried Elavil which didn’t make me particularly sleepy and did make me constipated. Last Thursday, he put me on 50 mg of trazodone to be taken at bedtime. The good news is I haven’t experienced serious side effects. The bad news is I do not find it sedating, though if I do get to sleep it seems to enhance the quality of sleep. The only thing that works consistently for me is alcohol (I know, I know but it is hard to be rational at 3:00 A.M. when you KNOW a glass of wine will knock you out). So here are my questions: 1. Is it possible that trazodone is sedating for everyone but me? I’ve read the discussions of it in Deja News, and it seems to work well which is pretty discouraging for me. 2. Could I need a higher dose? I asked my doctor this question, and he said it was quite possible that I needed a higher dosage. He okay up to 150 mg per day. Again, though, I thought as a slecould take 1-4 weeks before positive results were seen. I would be willing to be patient if I knew that it takes a little time to work. Thanks in advance for your help. I find this whole thing very frustrating and upsetting, and with two small children and a job I need to find an answer to this problem sooner rather than later. Emailed responses would be most appreciated. Mary
