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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 25 of 36. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Cseagraves on January 9, 2009, at 18:15:00
To anyone with experience with trazodone -
Just picked up my first prescription of trazodone. Pdoc precribed me 100mg tablets and said to take 1 to 2 tablets before bedtime. Doesn't that seem a little high? I'm very sensitive to meds and have seen on here where most peeps start out at 50 mgs at night. Would think my pdoc would want me to start at lower dosage and go up slowly. Is this 100 mg supposed to be a therapeutic dose?
If anyone has experienxe with this med, please let me know what your experience was with this and what they experienced the next day or first week.(Groggy, lethargic, or did you wake up feeling o.k.?) I only plan on taking 50 mgs tonight as I know my own body. I am 5'2 and weight is 125 lbs.
Thanks!!!
Courtney
Posted by jammerlich on January 9, 2009, at 19:03:22
In reply to OMG!!! TRAZODONE - HELP, posted by Cseagraves on January 9, 2009, at 18:15:00
Hi, Courtney.
If I were you I definitely wouldn't start with 100-200mg dose. I'm much larger than you and I only need 100mg. I have a friend about your size and she's fine with 25mg. She's never complained about feeling hungover the next day, but I did for a while. My pdoc suggested starting with a very small dose (even if it wasn't enough to get me to sleep at first) and gradually work my way up to whatever dose worked. And I think that was effective at the time. It's just that now I don't use it every night so I always get the hangover.
Jammer
Posted by JadeKelly on January 9, 2009, at 20:29:11
In reply to OMG!!! TRAZODONE - HELP, posted by Cseagraves on January 9, 2009, at 18:15:00
> To anyone with experience with trazodone -
>
> Just picked up my first prescription of trazodone. Pdoc precribed me 100mg tablets and said to take 1 to 2 tablets before bedtime. Doesn't that seem a little high? I'm very sensitive to meds and have seen on here where most peeps start out at 50 mgs at night. Would think my pdoc would want me to start at lower dosage and go up slowly. Is this 100 mg supposed to be a therapeutic dose?
>
> If anyone has experienxe with this med, please let me know what your experience was with this and what they experienced the next day or first week.(Groggy, lethargic, or did you wake up feeling o.k.?) I only plan on taking 50 mgs tonight as I know my own body. I am 5'2 and weight is 125 lbs.
>
> Thanks!!!
>
> Courtney
>
Hi Courtney,According to my pill book, the usual starting dose for an adult is 150mg. It can be increased every few days if needed. You would have to talk to your PDoc. So I would just start with what you're comfortable with. If thats 50mg then start there and talk to your PDoc about increasing when you're ready.
~Jade
Posted by desolationrower on January 9, 2009, at 20:55:17
In reply to Re: OMG!!! TRAZODONE - HELP, posted by JadeKelly on January 9, 2009, at 20:29:11
are you taking it for an antidepressant or a sleep drug? for sleep you could probably start at 25 and see if that is enough. for depression you need to work up to a larger dosage.
-d/r
Posted by Cseagraves on January 9, 2009, at 22:33:06
In reply to Re: OMG!!! TRAZODONE - HELP, posted by JadeKelly on January 9, 2009, at 20:29:11
Jade - I posted this to you earlier, before I got prescription filled. Wanted to make sure you got it.
I just took 50mg tonight. We'll see how that works!!
Earlier post:
Jade -
Hey ya!
Just wanted you to know after I read your post I started looking up info and reviews on trazodone. I called a friend of mine who is a nurse and she agreed that seemed to fit my situation better. Had heard of trazadone in school,(for insomnia) but not under the term SARI's. All I can think of is that the medical field must have just given this category of drugs a label. Tried to google sari's, got nothing as far as med).
I agree, I think I would feel better giving this a try as it seems to work on sleep AND anxiety AND agoraphobia. Called pdoc today and requested to give this a try, so I will definatley keep you posted as hopefully I will be starting it tonight.
Also wanted to mention that probably one of the contributors to my situation is that I had polycystic ovarian disease since I was a teenager, which finally resulted in a radical hysterctomy 5 years ago. So basically my hormones have always been on the low side which sent my body into adrenal stress syndrome. (I wouldn't take artificial hormone therapy. Didn't make sense to me to take horse hormones).
When I had my hormone levels tested about a year ago, I was in the negative on estrogen and progesterone. I was blown away when I googled low-estrogen effects. Anxiety, depression, panic disorders among several other things all came up. I wish I could stress to females who are 35 and older, (and my GP totally agrees)who start feeling these things, should have a full hormonal work-up.
Most of these symptoms will resolve themselves, once you get your hormones leveled. I started on bio-identical hormones about 6 months ago, hope they help, but will take time to build up and get body back straight. I also developed osteoporosis because of the inability to absorb calcium and vitamin D. (Couldn't figure out why I kept breaking so many bones so easily). Sucked!!
I guess you could say when I thought I had most things figured out and how to fix them, the GAD and agorophobia set in. (if its not one thing its another, lol). My pdoc says it was a combination of my health, a highly stressful childhood, watching my mom pass away from pancreatic cancer, being with my sister as she goes through cervical cancer (we are very tight) and just the high levels of stress that we put ourselves through on a daily basis, finally just came to a head.
But, I have a game plan, as I WILL get out of this place. I just need to find a med that can stabilize the anxiety enough so that I can re-train my brain.
Wanted to thank you again for bringing it up. Like I said, in med school I only remembered it as a med for insomnia. Wish we could meet, seems like we would hit it off well.
Good luck with all that you are going through and I'll be close by for support. Remember to try and stay true to who you are. This condition DOES NOT define who you are. I try to believe that everything that happens to us is a blessing (although it may not seem that way), but it teaches something about ourselves and we become stronger.
Courtney
Posted by Cseagraves on January 9, 2009, at 22:36:08
In reply to Re: OMG!!! TRAZODONE - HELP » Cseagraves, posted by jammerlich on January 9, 2009, at 19:03:22
Thanks for the info jammer.
I always get nervous starting on new med.
I just went with the 50mgs. tonight, just to see what happens. Took about an hour ago and beginning to get a little sleepy. If you don't here from me tomorrow, then someone better come find me. LOL!!!
Courtney
Posted by Cseagraves on January 9, 2009, at 22:38:36
In reply to Re: OMG!!! TRAZODONE - HELP, posted by desolationrower on January 9, 2009, at 20:55:17
Hi Desolation,
Thanks for the response.
I am taking it for some insomnia, but mainly for GAD and agoraphobia. Just took a dose of 50mgs. about an hour ago and am beginning to feel a little sleepy. We'll work with it and see how it goes!!
Courtney :-)
Posted by Justherself54 on January 9, 2009, at 22:42:53
In reply to Jade-earlier post, posted by Cseagraves on January 9, 2009, at 22:33:06
I only took it once..it didn't help much with sleep and the hangover the next day was pretty awful. I'd forgotten how bad a hangover feels. But it has worked well for lots of people and there's no reason you might be one of them..
Let us know how it goes!
Posted by Justherself54 on January 9, 2009, at 22:45:10
In reply to Re: Jade-earlier post, posted by Justherself54 on January 9, 2009, at 22:42:53
Posted by Phillipa on January 10, 2009, at 1:36:39
In reply to Re: OMG!!! TRAZODONE - HELP, posted by Cseagraves on January 9, 2009, at 22:38:36
I'd give you pdoc a call or his or her oncall and since you already took the med best of luck and hope no hangover. You are tiny you might question you pdoc on why he ordered a higher doseage. Phillipa
Posted by Jeroen on January 10, 2009, at 3:27:40
In reply to Re: OMG!!! TRAZODONE - HELP » Cseagraves, posted by Phillipa on January 10, 2009, at 1:36:39
trazodone gave me psychotic symptoms from day 1 refused to take it again
Posted by seldomseen on January 10, 2009, at 5:43:58
In reply to OMG!!! TRAZODONE - HELP, posted by Cseagraves on January 9, 2009, at 18:15:00
Trazodone is actually my sleep aid of choice. I do take 100 mg, but started with 50. I find it to be a sleep bomb for me.
I don't feel hungover the next day, but, with it on board, I usually sleep 8-10 hours. I would definately advise against taking it when you have to get up in 4 or 5 hours or so.
I do get side effects from it. I get a stuffy (and by stuffy I mean closed) nose, and occasionally the combination of trazadone and prozac gives me night sweats. It also increases my appetite. I manage these by a dose of nasal spray prior to sleep, keeping a fan on at night, and eating as much as I can :).
In some men, priapism can be a profound and serious problem, but I'm female.
Although, I believe there is a metabolite of trazodone that has been associated with psychotic symptoms, I've never had problems with it in that regard.
I hope you get some rest.
Seldom.
Posted by bleauberry on January 10, 2009, at 13:45:49
In reply to OMG!!! TRAZODONE - HELP, posted by Cseagraves on January 9, 2009, at 18:15:00
Trazodone 25mg was pretty strong to me. It didn't have the knockout power of say Seroquel, but it was potent enough and did have a mild hangover thing in the morning. The lethargy the next day lasted all the way up until evening time. It felt to me like a kind of side effect that would go away in about 2 weeks if I continued. I was just sampling it though.
100mg. You said it best...OMG. 25mg to 50mg seems the norm. I have also heard of people splitting pills and doing just 12.5mg. Some even start at 6.25mg or 12.5mg. You just have to feel it out.
If it is intended as your primary med, I wouldn't put much faith in it. If it is intended for sleep, it stands a good chance of working, since that is what it is usually prescribed for.
Posted by Sissy35 on January 10, 2009, at 15:02:03
In reply to OMG!!! TRAZODONE - HELP, posted by Cseagraves on January 9, 2009, at 18:15:00
I took trazodone for many yrs and never went above 50mg, most of the time I only took 25mgs I can't imagine what 200mg would be like.
I had little to no side effects from it. It just helped to control my aniexty. Put me to sleep fast also.
But 200mg I don't know what the sides would be.sissy35
Posted by Phillipa on January 10, 2009, at 19:19:05
In reply to Re: OMG!!! TRAZODONE - HELP » Cseagraves, posted by Sissy35 on January 10, 2009, at 15:02:03
I used to work with a pdoc that used trazadone for her own sleep. Since she was on unit early each morning assuming she didn't feel hung over no idea what her dose was. Phillipa ps says something if a pdoc takes it also
Posted by JadeKelly on January 11, 2009, at 12:00:13
In reply to Jade-earlier post, posted by Cseagraves on January 9, 2009, at 22:33:06
Hey Courtney,
Glad to see you don't waste any time! So Trazadone it is? Let me know what dose you settle on and how you feel on it. What did Doc say about how long? Are you taking anything with it? Well I'm curious, so keep me posted! Just make sure my name is on post and I should get it! I want to hear more about what you do for your Gyn problems. Are they balanced out with meds? I'll check previous post see if its there.
Good Luck, talk soon!
~Jade
Posted by Sissy35 on January 11, 2009, at 15:40:11
In reply to OMG!!! TRAZODONE - HELP, posted by Cseagraves on January 9, 2009, at 18:15:00
I am glad to hear you are doing well on trazodone. It was a good drug for me for many years. It was a long time ago, before it was used for sleep. At that time it was for people like me who had anxiety disorders.
wish you all the best and keep us posted.
Sissy35
Posted by Phillipa on January 11, 2009, at 19:41:30
In reply to Re: OMG!!! TRAZODONE - HELP » Cseagraves, posted by Sissy35 on January 11, 2009, at 15:40:11
Really? Well no wonder used for sleep then. Heard not a great antidpressant is this true? Love Phillipa
Posted by Sissy35 on January 11, 2009, at 20:40:49
In reply to Re: OMG!!! TRAZODONE - HELP » Sissy35, posted by Phillipa on January 11, 2009, at 19:41:30
I never used it as an antidepressent so I don't know. I used it for anxiety attacks and it did help those. You got to remember I am an old ^&** so I have been at this for at least 150yrs LOL.
But yes it is antidepressent and was't used as a sleep aid until the SSRIs came around. It was also hoped to increase the effectiveness of the SSRIs.Sissy35
Posted by Phillipa on January 11, 2009, at 20:55:56
In reply to Re: OMG!!! TRAZODONE - HELP » Phillipa, posted by Sissy35 on January 11, 2009, at 20:40:49
Sissy thanks didn't know about the helping other ad's. I'm older than you!!!!! Love Phillipa
Posted by Cseagraves on January 11, 2009, at 23:01:57
In reply to Re: Jade-earlier post » Cseagraves, posted by JadeKelly on January 11, 2009, at 12:00:13
Jade-
Started using bio-identical hormones about a year ago ( the cream kind that you rub on) but after some blood work a couple of months ago, it seems that my body will not absorb these through the skin. (Might explain why something in my system doesn't build up resistance to meds).Had to start taking them by mouth before I could see that they were finally starting to work. Will be having more blood work done at the end of January to see if the are coming up. I am hoping that if I can get them back to a normal level, that it will help with the anxiety and depression also. But my gyn says this is going to be a battle since my body seems resistant to stuff.
The only thing I can figure is that I'm a vegetrain (mostly)> I try to eat a diet of 70% to 80% raw. And I do a detox/cleanse every month. So who knows. Maybe I flush everything out and that might be why I stay resistant and sensitive to stuff.
Talk to you soon!!!
Courtney
Posted by desolationrower on January 12, 2009, at 1:01:18
In reply to Re: OMG!!! TRAZODONE - HELP » Sissy35, posted by Phillipa on January 11, 2009, at 19:41:30
> Really? Well no wonder used for sleep then. Heard not a great antidpressant is this true? Love Phillipa
its just not very useful because its so sedating by the time you take enough to act as an antidepressant.
-d/r
Posted by JadeKelly on January 12, 2009, at 10:18:30
In reply to Re: Jade-earlier post, posted by Cseagraves on January 11, 2009, at 23:01:57
> Jade-
> Started using bio-identical hormones about a year ago ( the cream kind that you rub on) but after some blood work a couple of months ago, it seems that my body will not absorb these through the skin. (Might explain why something in my system doesn't build up resistance to meds).
>
> Had to start taking them by mouth before I could see that they were finally starting to work. Will be having more blood work done at the end of January to see if the are coming up. I am hoping that if I can get them back to a normal level, that it will help with the anxiety and depression also. But my gyn says this is going to be a battle since my body seems resistant to stuff.
>
> The only thing I can figure is that I'm a vegetrain (mostly)> I try to eat a diet of 70% to 80% raw. And I do a detox/cleanse every month. So who knows. Maybe I flush everything out and that might be why I stay resistant and sensitive to stuff.
>
> Talk to you soon!!!
>
> CourtneyHi Courtney,
I was a vegetarian for ten years. Will you hold off on the cleanse while being medicated? I've never done that, but am interested in how you feel when they straighten out your hormones. What do you think you'll be taking? The usual thyriod and estrogen, or something else?
~Jade
>
Posted by Cseagraves on January 12, 2009, at 11:19:46
In reply to Re: OMG!!! TRAZODONE - HELP, posted by desolationrower on January 12, 2009, at 1:01:18
D/R-
If you are referring to remeron, it's kind of odd for me. I decided to take my little dose of remeron with a zanax last night and slept like a baby. Split the 15 mg in half this morning, and so far I feel fine. Not sedated, just calm. No anxiety so far. For some, because we all agree that everyone responds differently to meds, at a higher dose it could possibly make someone feel more sedated.
But from what I read about remeron, its one of those meds that takes some tweaking to get it right. I've read reviews about zoloft making people feel sedated, which I found odd because when I took it a some years ago,(actually it was the first med I ever took and was able to stay on it for years before it pooped)it never made me feel that way.
Thats why I mentioned what that doctor wrote about mixing it with something like wellbutrin sr, which gives you more energy and has its own anti-anxietal proprties and they balance each other out.
Still playing with, but will let you know.
Courtney :-)
Posted by Cseagraves on January 12, 2009, at 11:45:54
In reply to Re: Jade-earlier post » Cseagraves, posted by JadeKelly on January 12, 2009, at 10:18:30
Jade,
Hey!
My thyroid test have always come back fine. I have been taking progesterone and estadiol by mouth for about 6 months. Over the last couple of months I have seen some improvement (my hair, skin) and hope they keep improving.
Something to keep in mind. When your body isn't producing the addequate amount of hormones, then your addrenal glands will kick in and try to produce them, which is really not their job. So this stresses out the body because your adrenals are not doing the work they are supposed to. This can lead to a whole load of different problems, including thyroid problems.
My body went into extreme addrenal fatique, but luckily my thyroid wasn't effected. I had to jump into action and reverse the process, but it has been a long and slow process. That's one of the reasons I stopped heavy exercise. Doc said that when you are in addrenal stress, then your body is already stressed and you end up doing more harm to yourself than good by putting the added stress on yourself physically. It never has time to repair. I could go walking, but had to stop running and weight training.
When you get some time, look up "addrenal fatique syndrome" and let me know if you think some of the symptoms might apply to you.
I try to do a detox/cleanse at least one or every two months regardless of meds just to look after my liver and other organs.
Let me know!!!
Courtney
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