Withdrawal from Trazodone. Need hope

@kayraymat

So I was prescribed Trazadone, and I had been on it a really long time and was asked to get off the medication by my doctors. (Health concerns)
From my experience (and I am not a doctor, so just my opinion), Trazadone is not addictive but your body can be addicted to it. (Feel that it can function without it, or feel that it needs it) and withdrawal is very nasty, and it is one of the hardest anti-depressants to quit. (I am starting week 5, and yes, it is hard but my coping methods are working, and I have a great support group)
As for side effects when starting it, I think it has the normal side effects like any other medication- dizziness, tiredness, headaches, etc.
For me, I had dizziness or excessive tiredness but that went away after three months.
Try taking the medication with some food, and see if that helps.

@mustlovedogs89
Taking it with food seems to really make a difference for me.
I am 70+ so may take it all my life since it seems to work.
Every once in a while I just go to sleep without taking Trazadone,
but I really do count on it. I read a lot during the day so if I can't sleep,
I don't feel like reading at night. Some women I know, clean house......
no thanks... 🙂

@tdr562 Hi. I've been taking Trazodone for over 25 years and have terrible side effects when I reduce it. I tried to ween off of effexor with a doctor's guidance and could not get below 37.5 mg without suffering debilitating side effects. I've needed both of these drugs for anxiety and depression but am worried about the Trazodone affecting my memory. For long term users like us, our brains have changed as a result of these drugs and regular weening off may be difficult or unsuccessful. My doctor had to prescribe a bridge drug -Prozac- to help me reduce the Effexor, which is frustrating to start another drug to ween off another.
I saw a top psychiatrist from Northwestern Hospital years ago who put me on these drugs with no warning that I may not be able to discontinue their use in the future without serious withdrawal issues. This is a real tragedy where I blame the doctors for just medicating us and sending us out the door not caring about the long term consequences. Although many here have been successful with stopping Trazodone, each person has a complex medical history that plays into whether or not you can stop the drug. Do what you can and have compassion for yourself.

@kayraymat
Trazodone was developed as an antidepressant many years ago. I know many people take it with no ill effects, but from what I've read online and asking many people I know, there are a lot of people out there that have had noticed side effects from it right away. Many with in the first couple times of taking it. I guess it depends on your personal body chemistry. But I have noticed it seems to be better tolerated by men. From what I've heard, most drug development especially back in the day, was done on white males. I don't know if that has any bearing on this issue or not.
Steph

@26steph
Yes; white males..... same with heart attacks. Women can feel nauseated
or just have a stomach ache rather than arm pain.
What I wonder about is "What are some of the side effects women have
felt with Traz??
I have GI issues. I have tried to use Lacktaid rather than milk
but still have the same issues. Thanks for responding, Steph.

@kayraymat
I have recently been diagnosed with gerd and I have a hiatal hernia. I've went from being a tough 65 year old, to nauseous, fatigued, and dizzy, foggy brained. It has been unsettling to say the least. And I'm wondering is it the famotidine side effects that I'm I'm taking for the gerd, or is it trazodone withdrawal that I'm going through? That was the only prescription med I was taking off and on for the previous year.

What does your doctor say?
what does the small print say on the prescription papers you get
from the pharmacy?? Walgreens even gives me a large print version
sometimes & I am starting to read it thoroughly & add my questions to ask the
doctor when I go back., and I also ask the pharmacist. They know a lot!
Is GERD like acid reflux?

@kayraymat Gostroesophogeal reflux disease. It has irritated the tissues of my esophagus. I have a hiatal hernia that allows my stomach acid to flow into my esophagus. I hope to get the hernia fixed so that it keeps the acids from the stomach flowing into the esophagus. It has been an ordeal. Millions of people suffer with it and the meds they have to take.

I looked it up= ouch!
Good luck with your surgery,
and
with any meds suggested.
I can't believe how many times I suffered before someone
simply suggested taking a "Tums." You may need a prescription med.
I am just happy meds are available