Posted by timidly on September 7, 2003, at 21:48:30
In reply to Re: Anyone know Trazodone, posted by Camille Dumont on September 7, 2003, at 9:04:10
femlite,
I was also unhappy with the lack of consistent effectiveness of Trazodone and my Pdoc let me try some of the "real sleep meds". My experiences:
- Sonata kicked in fast and hard, but only lasted 2-3 hours. I had audio-visual hallucinations starting about 10 minutes after taking it until I had fallen asleep.
- Ambien kicked in fast and hard, and lasted 6-7 hours. I had visual hallucinations, confusion, disorientation, and disassociation until I fell asleep. The confusion (mental fog) and disorientation lingered well into the next day. I also started sleep-walking and often woke up on the floor in another room.
- Chloral Hydrate was ruled out due to the bad experiences I had with it decades ago. Avoid this one.
- Valerian (herb) was ineffective for me.I am much happier with the Trazodone now. I take 100 mg at bedtime. It kicks in slowly over about 30 minutes and hits hard (knocks me out) a bit more than half the time. Effective dosage for me has varied between 50 mg and 200 mg over the years. I've had problems with morning grogginess when taking more than 100 mg. I still occasionally have problems sleeping, but nothing like it is without the Trazodone.
To answer your question about the benefits of Trazodone. Trazodone is an anti-depressant which has a very strong sedating side effect. The anti-depressant effect takes a few weeks to kick in.
Excerpt from MedicineNet: "Although the exact mechanism of action of trazodone is unknown, it probably improves symptoms of depression by inhibiting the uptake of serotonin by nerves in the brain. This results in more serotonin to stimulate other nerves. Trazodone also may increase directly the action of serotonin. Trazodone is chemically unrelated to the serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), the tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) or the monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAO inhibitors). It is chemically related to nefazodone (Serzone) and shares its actions."
[EOB]
> > Pdoc prescribed for sleep.
> > Its not working out.
> >
> > Pdoc didn't want to get into addiction problems with real sleep meds. This is what I feared would happen in small midwest town.
> >
> > Past experienc with Zoloft has made me fearful of serotonin, (didn't sleep at all.)
> >
> > Can someone tell me what, if any other benifits to Tazodone.
> > Literature indicates this has seotonin effects, but seems slightly different. Can someone explain,
> >
> > Thanks all
>
>
> Well, I've been on Effexor for more than a year but I couldn't sleep so the doctor prescribed Trazodone ... 50 mg. Its a old and not very effective antidepressant but it does knock you out BIG TIME.
>
> I had to stop it because it was making me like a zombie during the day ... you have to take it prutty early if you want to be able to wake up in the morning ... but all and all its a fairly commonly prescribed thing for sleep problems ... and you won't get any withdrawal effects.
poster:timidly
thread:257771
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030907/msgs/257940.html