Trazodone is not as addictive as a benzodiazepine. I've taken in a few times for sleep and it helped me fall asleep but not stay asleep. I was able to taper off several times with no problems. Some people may need a longer taper. I quit taking it when I started having a "hangover effect". Talk to your pharmacist and do some research on-line. One article I found says: "Addiction Risk: Trazodone: Generally considered non-addictive, though it can lead to dependence if misused or taken inappropriately. Benzodiazepines: Carry a high risk of addiction due to their ability to produce a rapid calming effect.
daisy17, "Benzodiazepines: Carry a high risk of addiction due to their ability to produce a rapid calming effect." Seriously??? This is what "they" are saying is why a benzodiazepine is more addictive?? Because it produces a rapid calming effect?? Omg... that only means that it works very well! Which they do! Are benzodiazepines addictive? Absolutely... but I believe they are no more addictive than other meds. And the important thing is.... THEY WORK! And people with severe insomnia issues being denied the medication that works the best for insomnia for some people, is extremely wrong! I hope to God this changes someday. Doctors should be letting their patients with severe insomnia, try a benzodiazepine, because letting them continue their life without adequate sleep, is very detrimental to them. Don't some doctors realize that getting adequate sleep is extremely important for a person's overall health?? Come on doctors... do the right thing for your patients.
Benzodiazepines are psychologically and physically addictive. Rapid withdrawal causes many unwanted symptoms, worst of which is seizures which can cause death. They are much more physically addictive than most meds, especially at higher doses. 10% of patients have protracted withdrawal (can last upwards of a year) and may experience prolonged symptoms including ongoing anxiety, cognitive dysfunction, mood swings, sensory hypersensitivity, and insomnia. They should be used judiciously and under close supervision.
There is also the possibility of overdose which causes respiratory depression which can lead to death or the need for mechanical ventilation.
When I was taking a very low dose of Valium, 5 mg and nigh and 5 mg as needed, I completely lost my short term memory. It took over 3 months after I was off the med for my memory to return.
Benzodiazepines have their place in medicine. But their use should not be taken lightly
Trazadone was the hardest withdrawals . I was only on for roughly 8 weeks at a low dose of 25mg for sleep. Horrible daily headaches. The taper off was just brutal. Be careful, I got off ativan easier than Trazadone. I know it works for some people and the lucky ones who can just cold turkey stop or the brave ones who take long term for sleep. I Hope the mirtazapine is good for you. I went with CBT therapy .
kawanhee, Trazodone is just as addictive as a benzodiazepine. Have you read any of the stories on here of people who are addicted to Trazodone and have lots of problems trying to get off of it? Mirtazapine is probably the same way... I will happily take Lorazepam and Amitriptyline to get the sleep I need. My doctor knows I will need these meds for the rest of my life. Sleep is SUPER IMPORTANT.... and whatever you need to do to get it, is worth it in my opinion. There are many people out there (on this chat line) who struggle with getting sleep, and are not given the chance to try Lorazepam or another benzo that could give them relief! And a solution to their sleepless nights. I feel SO BAD for these people. I've heard SSRI's are addictive too. And they don't work for many people. You're lucky Mirtazapine works for you. It did not work for me. But neither did Ambien, Trazodone, Lunesta, and a few others. Lorazepam works great for both my issues. Sleep and Anxiety. I also take Amitriptyline which helps as well for many issues. I also take Magnesium glycinate at bedtime. I will continue to argue for people's right to take this medication. Most doctors won't prescribe it, unfortunately. Hopefully someday more doctors will prescribe Lorazepam for people who have tried everything for sleep and nothing works. Hospitals will give Lorazepam to people for sleep or anxiety. Flurazepam was the BEST sleep med.... and for some reason, they stopped manufacturing it. But yet they keep making Oxycodone and Oxycontin, which are far more dangerous. Not too many people abuse sleep meds. They just want to get their sleep. I am very passionate about this subject and will continue to fight for benzodiazepines. Even doctors know they are simply they are the only meds that will work for some people. But unfortunately alot of them have been brainwashed into believing that benzos are terrible. Hope that changes someday.
Mirtazapine is considered safe for long term. It may be addictive but all of my doctors are comfortable with prescribing for me. They are not comfortable with Ativan and I’m personally happy to be off it.
However, if it works for you, that’s great. We HAVE to sleep!
i get it. gotta do what works. i do tart cherry juice, magnesium both in tablet and in a topical on feet, and the red light lamp. Sleep is everything. I have to say CBT has worked well for me, but everyone is different.
@royanthony
I took Trazodone at a low dose (25 mg because I am sensitive to drugs) for about 4 years due to working different hours and it worked amazingly well with no side effects but then it stopped working and I found I could no longer sleep on my own as many will find once they have been on sleep medication for any length of time. Then came the search to find something to help me sleep without the horrible side effects. Belsomra worked well for several weeks and then started causing mild depression and then stopped working. I now take 300 mg Gabapentin out of desperation to sleep but it causes a spacey head all the next morning and some people have a little dizziness as well. Definitely not the best medication for a senior because of the effects on cognition and balance. I tried going back on Trazodone after several years but had to take 75 mg to get to sleep and it caused severe dry mouth that kept waking me up. My daughter in law has been taking 200 mg of Trazodone for the past year with no side effects.
Tylenol PM has diphenhydramine in it which is generic Benedryl. The thinking now is Diphenhydramine may have something to do with dementia. So that’s probably why they are saying that.
I was prescribed 50 mg of trazodone. Supposed to work in 30 to 60 minutes. I was still awake after 2 1/2 hours and ended up with only five hours of sleep so back to lorazepam, which I’ve been taking for three weeks. Ambien has stopped working for me maybe after a two month break it will work again according to what I’ve read online.
Tylenol PM has diphenhydramine in it which is generic Benedryl. The thinking now is Diphenhydramine may have something to do with dementia. So that’s probably why they are saying that.
Who is "THEY"? Tylenol in greater than 4 gm per day can cause liver damage that is not reversible. I would prefer to see bona fide reseaarch through reputable institutions. Too many times people will read Yahoo and then swear by the medical advice. It's amazing that with all the Big Pharma that we have that no one can produce a sleep aid that is suitable.
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daisy17, "Benzodiazepines: Carry a high risk of addiction due to their ability to produce a rapid calming effect." Seriously??? This is what "they" are saying is why a benzodiazepine is more addictive?? Because it produces a rapid calming effect?? Omg... that only means that it works very well! Which they do! Are benzodiazepines addictive? Absolutely... but I believe they are no more addictive than other meds. And the important thing is.... THEY WORK! And people with severe insomnia issues being denied the medication that works the best for insomnia for some people, is extremely wrong! I hope to God this changes someday. Doctors should be letting their patients with severe insomnia, try a benzodiazepine, because letting them continue their life without adequate sleep, is very detrimental to them. Don't some doctors realize that getting adequate sleep is extremely important for a person's overall health?? Come on doctors... do the right thing for your patients.
Benzodiazepines are psychologically and physically addictive. Rapid withdrawal causes many unwanted symptoms, worst of which is seizures which can cause death. They are much more physically addictive than most meds, especially at higher doses. 10% of patients have protracted withdrawal (can last upwards of a year) and may experience prolonged symptoms including ongoing anxiety, cognitive dysfunction, mood swings, sensory hypersensitivity, and insomnia. They should be used judiciously and under close supervision.
There is also the possibility of overdose which causes respiratory depression which can lead to death or the need for mechanical ventilation.
When I was taking a very low dose of Valium, 5 mg and nigh and 5 mg as needed, I completely lost my short term memory. It took over 3 months after I was off the med for my memory to return.
Benzodiazepines have their place in medicine. But their use should not be taken lightly
CBT didn’t work for me. I also tried magnesium glycinate but affected my stomach
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2 ReactionsMirtazapine is considered safe for long term. It may be addictive but all of my doctors are comfortable with prescribing for me. They are not comfortable with Ativan and I’m personally happy to be off it.
However, if it works for you, that’s great. We HAVE to sleep!
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1 Reactioni get it. gotta do what works. i do tart cherry juice, magnesium both in tablet and in a topical on feet, and the red light lamp. Sleep is everything. I have to say CBT has worked well for me, but everyone is different.
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1 ReactionThanks for your detailed findings
I was told Tylenol PM can cause Dimentia.....
Has anyone else heard this?
Tylenol PM has diphenhydramine in it which is generic Benedryl. The thinking now is Diphenhydramine may have something to do with dementia. So that’s probably why they are saying that.
I was prescribed 50 mg of trazodone. Supposed to work in 30 to 60 minutes. I was still awake after 2 1/2 hours and ended up with only five hours of sleep so back to lorazepam, which I’ve been taking for three weeks. Ambien has stopped working for me maybe after a two month break it will work again according to what I’ve read online.
Who is "THEY"? Tylenol in greater than 4 gm per day can cause liver damage that is not reversible. I would prefer to see bona fide reseaarch through reputable institutions. Too many times people will read Yahoo and then swear by the medical advice. It's amazing that with all the Big Pharma that we have that no one can produce a sleep aid that is suitable.