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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by LackREM on December 8, 2003, at 19:17:42
I have taken very high dosages of many antidepressants and was convinced that they really dont do anything good or bad, except the occasional sexual side effect or whatever. anyway, nothing did anything for me, but after my sleep study, I discovered I am getting only 5% REM sleep/night. after hearing that, the doc put me on trazodone and that has worked very well on a low dosage. I cannot even tolerate 50 mg. right now I am on 25 mg and I am thinking about dropping down because I have headaches and lightheadedness all day. I have recently come off effexor, which I took for 4 mos and was up to 450 mgs at one point. I am not sure if that is causing the headaches and lightheadedness or not. Experience with this?
Thanks
Posted by Patient on December 9, 2003, at 14:29:31
In reply to Coming off Effexor, starting Trazodone, posted by LackREM on December 8, 2003, at 19:17:42
Hi,
I've never tried trazodone (Desyrel)as a sole antidepressant, but was prescribed it to help with sleep while taking an SSRI. I couldn't tolerate the nose stuffiness and dry mouth for the two hours after taking it when I took 50mg, and 25mg was only slightly less in these anticholinergic effects; 12.5mg worked the best for me.
The lightheadedness and headaches can be from Effexor withdrawal. Also, trazodone can cause a temporary drop in blood pressure, which can cause light-headedness and dizziness, so reducing trazodone dose may help.
Another very good REM sleep improver is nefazodone (Serzone). Nefazodone and trazodone both act as 5-HT2 antagonists, so they are both very helpful for improving REM sleep. Nefazodone is less likely to cause dry mouth and light headedness than trazodone, but is also less sedating than trazodone, so may not be as helpful at making you fall asleep. Both of these drugs should be started at a low dose, and if need be, gradually increased. Serzone has its own precautionary side effects, so be informed and read up about it. Some doctors do not prescribe it any longer.There is another drug that is also helpful for REM sleep, another 5-HT2 antagonist, called ritanserin (Tisterton), but it appears that it isn't prescribed for reasons I do not understand, as of yet.
Try drinking lots of quality water and take it slow when getting up.
Posted by Maxime on December 12, 2003, at 15:11:06
In reply to Re: Stopping Effexor, starting Trazodone-REM help, posted by Patient on December 9, 2003, at 14:29:31
Re. Serzone
A few weeks ago Serzone was taken off the market in Canada because of the effects it can have on the liver. Just an FYI.
Maxime
Posted by Patient on December 13, 2003, at 19:23:53
In reply to Re: Stopping Effexor, starting Trazodone-REM help, posted by Maxime on December 12, 2003, at 15:11:06
Thanks Maxime!
I found this information the other day:
http://www.mentalhealth.com/drug/p30-n05.html
There will be some people upset about this for it works for some, and in spite of the kidney damage warning, which supposedly doesn't commonly occur with Serzone use; these people continue to take it for it works for them.
Some comments I've read about Serzone: dreams were vivid, many complained of seeing visual trails, and some reported that orgasms were great while taking Serzone. Some reported it stopped working after a while.
Posted by Patient on December 13, 2003, at 23:26:08
In reply to Re: Serzone (nefazodone) off Canadian market, posted by Patient on December 13, 2003, at 19:23:53
Sorry, I got it wrong. As usual-in a hurry. I meant liver damage, not kidney (renal) damage.
This is the end of the thread.
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