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Take Trazodone on a need basis
Hello everyone,
I've just been prescribed Venlafaxine 75mg and started taking it on the 19th of December. Since then I have a terrible insomnia, I can barely sleep 3 hours per night. Prior to Venlafaxine I was talking clonazepam for panic attacks 2mg before bedtime, which I'm still taking but unfortunately it doesn't help with the insomnia caused by Venlafaxine.
My doctor suggested taking Trazodone on a need basis in addition to clonazepam 2 mg but I am wondering if that might cause some side effects as it's an antidepressant and usually antidepressants take up to 6 weeksto work. Would that be different for insomnia? Has anyone taken on a need basis? If so, what was your experience?
Thank you
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I think you meant your message for the person who started this thread. I take Trazadone every night and have for years. I do not take Clonazepam. It is addictive. I do take 30 mg of Cymbalta in the mornings, which is the lowest dose. Trazadone was given to me when I was in Addiction TX years ago. It does help me sleep for sure.
I have been taking both for decades now. Trazodone works for me. I take 150 mg each night before going to bed. However, I have periods where I will wake up as soon as every two hours each night. That goes on for a couple of days. It's then I realize I have an inner issue that's bothering me, and I subconsiously don't want to deal with it. I have had other periods where I sleep 12 - 14 hours a day.. (I feel I'm just too old - 77 years old - and can't/won't deal with unpleasant issues.
Yes, clonazepam does take up to 6 weeks to work.. I take two 5 mg tablets a day, 12 hours apart. I have permission from my Nurse Practitioner to take a 3rd tablet if I need it. I have been under a tremendous amount of stress for many years. If I feel an anxiety 'wave' coming on.. I take the 3rd tablet during the day.. I feel its effects come on in about 30 minutes. Now weather this is a placebo effect or wishful thinking, I'm not sure. My understanding is that you need a certain amount of clonazepam in your system to effectively work. Clonazepam has a 1/2 life of 12 hours. That is 12 hours after you take ii, it has half the strength.
I am not a doctor, I do research on these issues and discuss them with my Nurse Practitioner. AND it is each individual's best interest to speak with their medical providers. I have to take a large amount of pills each day, but have been focusing on natural methods to keep my body and mind in balance. I do Tai Chi, employ different breathing techniques, and go for walks. Purposely read positive articles, find jokes, watch cute dog and cat videos on the internet. More importantly, find folks to have intelligent, positive conversations with. These are all techniques that don't cost $$$, and can help cut down on medications sometimes.
Lately, I have been reading about the Vegas Nerve. Just came across an article that advocated putting 'ice' or a cold pack on the back of your neck when you feel a strong wave of anxiety coming on.. It certainly worked the first few times I did it.
Now each person can respond pretty differently a medication.
@diverdown1
Dr just prescribed Trazadone because I haven’t slept well for at least a month. I get up every hour to hour and a half to use the bathroom.
Dr can’t figure out if I wake up because I have to urinate or because I wake up and while I’m up I have to go. Any thoughts?
@diverdown1 thank you for your reply.
The insomnia is slowly getting better as my body adjust to venlafaxine (Efexor) and now I can finally sleep with "just" clonazepam as I used to
@dennismm I have to get up and use the bathroom maybe once, but I am able to do that and go back to sleep thanks to the Trazadone. I would just try it and see. What milligram does he have you taking? You can private message me privately if you want to.
@dennismm
Taking 50mg at bedtime. I don’t know how but instead of going to the bathroom every hour, I went only once at 5:00 AM. If it continues to work like this, I’ll take it forever!!(which I probably can’t do!)