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Meds, Mind, Body & Benefits => Questions About Treatment & Side Effects => Topic started by: mitch777 on July 18, 2013, 06:20:28 pm

Title: New on Trazodone
Post by: mitch777 on July 18, 2013, 06:20:28 pm
Hi,
I've been on Lunesta (2 mg) for several months due to insomnia from Isentress.
I experimented with different doses, 1,2, and 3 mg. The 2 mg seemed to work out well.
My ID doc wasn't too keen on the idea of staying on Lunesta long term. (I am not sure why. Maybe he told me and I forgot?)
Anyway, he thought a switch to Trazodone would be a good idea.
I took the first pill last night (50mg) and slept like sh*t.
Just wondered if it takes awhile to build up in your system or maybe the dose is too low?
Also wonder if anyone knows of problems of concern by taking Lunesta on a long term basis.
I have enough going on with my health without having to be dead tired from lack of sleep.
I don't mind trying Trazodone if it can work but the Lunesta was doing a good job.
Thanks!
Title: Re: New on Trazodone
Post by: WillyWump on July 18, 2013, 10:51:10 pm
I take 100mg each night (I can go up to 200 if needed). I dont see how 50 would ever work for me, but that's just me. Building up isnt really how it works since it's out of your system after about 6 or 8 hours (low half-life). Maybe try the 50 again tonight and if it doesnt work then call your doc and ask him if you can double the dose.

Good luck. and I Love my Trazies. ;)

-WIll
Title: Re: Trazodone vs. Lunesta
Post by: mitch777 on July 19, 2013, 09:39:57 am
I take 100mg each night (I can go up to 200 if needed). I dont see how 50 would ever work for me, but that's just me. Building up isnt really how it works since it's out of your system after about 6 or 8 hours (low half-life). Maybe try the 50 again tonight and if it doesnt work then call your doc and ask him if you can double the dose.

Good luck. and I Love my Trazies. ;)

-WIll
Thanks Will.
I will give that a shot.
I do notice I am more groggy in the morning compared to Lunesta. It's likely because I'm not getting a good enough nights sleep with my current dose of Traz.

Still wonder if anyone has comments about problems regarding long term use of Lunesta.
Title: Re: New on Trazodone
Post by: wolfter on July 19, 2013, 10:34:54 am
I was also exhausted from not getting adequate sleep and my doctor suggested 50mg of Trazadone at night.  It did absolutely nothing!!!  Upon my own, I doubled up and it works wonders.  I attempt sleep before relying upon them but that seldom works.

The building up aspect of Trazadone is if it's being used as an antidepressant. 


Wolfie

PS.  I already broke my oath about shopping.  I purchased the most awesome cycling shirt.  In my defense, my old ones were looking a little worse for wear. ;D
Title: Re: New on Trazodone
Post by: mikeyb39 on July 20, 2013, 09:08:55 am
The doctor doesn't want you on Lunesta long term due to tolerance.  I take ambien and got the same song and dance from my doctor, yet he writes me a 6 months refill every 6 months.

About a year ago I told him I either take the Ambien or don't sleep, its that simple.  Ever since he never mentions it and just faxes refills every 6 months.

I am though going to try and taper off of them.  I think they have bad effect on my mood. .
Title: Re: New on Trazodone
Post by: mitch777 on July 20, 2013, 09:33:11 am
The doctor doesn't want you on Lunesta long term due to tolerance.  I take ambien and got the same song and dance from my doctor, yet he writes me a 6 months refill every 6 months.

About a year ago I told him I either take the Ambien or don't sleep, its that simple.  Ever since he never mentions it and just faxes refills every 6 months.

I am though going to try and taper off of them.  I think they have bad effect on my mood. .

Wow, this is quite a coincidence! I just woke up and your post was the most recent. I am in a huge fog and usually get up around 6AM.
Last night I took a Traz at about 8PM because I knew it wasn't going to knock me out quickly. Well, I was still wide awake by 10:30 so I took another. Still didn't sleep too well until 4AM!
Three different docs of mine listed the 3 big choices of sleep aid meds... Ambein, Lunesta, and Trazadone.
They all said Ambien was their least favorite one due to side effects. (they didn't get into specifics)
Anyway, I much prefer the Lunesta over Traz.
Now that you mention the tolerance issue, it's is ringing a bell in my mind. I think he might have used that for the reason too.
It's good to know that tolerance didn't seem to be an issue for you (on Ambien)! :)
I will give the Traz a try for a few more nights but if there isn't any improvement I am going to talk to my doc about sticking with the Lunesta.
Thanks for the post!! :) :)
Title: Re: New on Trazodone
Post by: peteb on July 26, 2013, 08:03:44 pm
I am on 150 mg does nothing for me at all I go 3 days without sleep
Title: Re: New on Trazodone
Post by: mitch777 on July 27, 2013, 08:50:44 am
I am on 150 mg does nothing for me at all I go 3 days without sleep
Bummer. Have you tried anything else?

100mg seems to be working for me now. It doesn't get me sleeping as fast as Lunesta but it does seem to keep me sleeping longer. More fog brain the morning too. It's kinda like the porridge is too hot or too cold with these 2 meds for me. Oh well, better than insomnia. :)
Title: Re: New on Trazodone
Post by: peteb on August 02, 2013, 05:33:59 pm
tried ambien  did nothing\Lorazapam\ the same had other ones but cant think of the names, just wish something would work
Title: Re: New on Trazodone
Post by: peteb on August 02, 2013, 05:34:56 pm
glad you are getting sleep
Title: Re: New on Trazodone
Post by: mitch777 on August 02, 2013, 06:32:43 pm
tried ambien  did nothing\Lorazapam\ the same had other ones but cant think of the names, just wish something would work
Hi Pete,
How long have you been having trouble sleeping? What other meds are you taking?
You obviously have discussed this with your doc. What does he/she think? Wish I were better able to help but maybe others can with more info. I feel for you. Lack of sleep can affect so much. As you can see I'm pretty new to this myself and even though I'm sleeping better the side effects seem like a step backward in my clarity of thought. Not all roses.
m.
Title: Re: New on Trazodone
Post by: BT65 on August 03, 2013, 06:43:37 pm
Mitch, my doctor just prescribed Rozerem after me having issues with sleep for eons.  I built up a tolerance pretty quick to the Trazadone, plus had that brain fog you are talking about.

My doctor would not give me Ambien or Lunesta due to addiction potential, but that's just me. He knows about my past addiction issues.  Being you haven't had these issues, I don't see why your doctor wouldn't ok a little Lunesta at times.

But, if you look on drugs.com, at these sleep meds, it's a bit scary, especially when reading about waking up in the night and doing things you don't remember the next morning.  One of my clients, who is on Ambien, has this issue.  He just relocated his shoulder during the night, without remembering it the next morning.  I'm worried he'll start a fire some time, as he also cooks and doesn't remember it. 

Anyway, I hope the Trazadone works for you.  Just know, you're not alone.  :-*
Title: Re: New on Trazodone
Post by: mitch777 on August 04, 2013, 08:59:14 am
Mitch, my doctor just prescribed Rozerem after me having issues with sleep for eons.  I built up a tolerance pretty quick to the Trazadone, plus had that brain fog you are talking about.

My doctor would not give me Ambien or Lunesta due to addiction potential, but that's just me. He knows about my past addiction issues.  Being you haven't had these issues, I don't see why your doctor wouldn't ok a little Lunesta at times.

But, if you look on drugs.com, at these sleep meds, it's a bit scary, especially when reading about waking up in the night and doing things you don't remember the next morning.  One of my clients, who is on Ambien, has this issue.  He just relocated his shoulder during the night, without remembering it the next morning.  I'm worried he'll start a fire some time, as he also cooks and doesn't remember it. 

Anyway, I hope the Trazadone works for you.  Just know, you're not alone.  :-*
Thanks once again Betty!
It's good to know of an alternative should the Trazodone stop working (or the brain fog becomes too much).
I don't know if my doc would have a problem with an occasional Lunesta but I'm not sure I would want to be going back and forth using different sleep meds.
I've read about the side effects you mentioned but I didn't have an issue...that I was aware of anyway. ;D
Are you having any side effects from Rozerem?