Sleep without trazadone

I will try that thank you!!!

@mommabird74 Hope you enjoy it

I wanted to let you know I've given this discussion a relationship with both the Sleep Health group and the Depression & Anxiety group, so that members in both groups will see the thread and join in. I also wanted to invite @cindyt63 @num1boxer1919 @smen @julesa @cokie63 into this conversation for any tips they may offer on a successful taper from trazadone. @contentandwell may also have some thoughts.

@mommabird74 I have not been on Trazadone but I do have problems sleeping sometimes. It is generally if I am anxious about something. I am beginning to think I may only actually need 6 hours of sleep a night because no matter what time I go to bed I wake up then and can't get back to sleep. If I get less than that for a couple of nights I end up taking either a half of a Benadryl or a low-dose lorazepam. I don't use anything regularly, I reserve them for when I have had a few nights in a row of inadequate sleep. I will also take one of those if I know I will have trouble sleeping, like the night before we are flying somewhere on vacation, or something of that nature. I have read that vacations are actually traumatic and I agree. Once you get there, they're great, but preparing causes me a lot of anxiety.
I would really like to get into medication. I have heard that is helpful.
JK

I would advise to not get into medication. I wish I could turn back time and never taken trazadone. My brain has adjusted and now it needs it. It’s so hard coming off of it. My insomnia has gotten so much worse. I’m using Ativan on days I have to work so that I don’t loss my mind but otherwise I could stay up for days! It’s a dangerous drug! Thank you for reply!

We are on similar paths but I stopped taking the trazadone first before attempting the lexapro. I have just started the process for lexapro so any advice would be appreciated! I had been on each for about 6 years.

As for the trazadone, I started by taking half my dosage each night for 2 weeks to see how I felt. After that I stopped completely and took magnesium citrate and zinc before bed. It has worked great and helps calm nerves before bed. I sleep through the night and am happy I do not rely on the trazadone anymore.

Coming in late to this discussion. I have had trouble sleeping for several decades. Having given up sleeping 8 hrs, I am happy to get 2 or 3 before waking and then napping rest of the night. A CD I used to prompt sleep when working shift work is called "Evening Rapture", has only 2 tracks, and I rarely got to the second track. The Dr's concluded after sleep studies that my brain just won't shut down long enough to rest, that it's "just how I am wired, so deal with it". Trazadone didn't work, nor did melatonin or benadryl. Being retired now, I am afforded the luxury of naps when the mood strikes.
Ginger

@mommabird74 Are you worrying you will not be able to sleep without the Trazadone? Or is it not effective at 25 mg? I used to take 125-150 mg per night but then I went into the hospital and it was days before I had it. When it was finally prescribed, I felt over-medicated and reduced the doseage to 50 mg that I was given in the hospital. I slept fine.I am a chronic pain patient and take oxycodone. When I took the pain meds at night, I had nightmares.
Since menopause, I sleep in 2-3 hour cycles, but rarely get in 8 hours a night.
You mentioned that you thought you were losing your memory on higher doseage of Trazadone. How are you feeling taking a lower amount?
Only you can decide what is right for you. I would talk to a psychiatrist for his opinion.
I hope you find a happy medium that leaves you getting a good quality sleep.

@gingerw Have you ever tried s cup of warm milk it has tryptophin in it like turkey

@lioness I cannot tolerate dairy very well, and at this point I am limited to 4 ounces of dairy a day due to my health issues. But I have heard warm milk works for many people. My dad would bring my mother a couple of soft cookies and warm milk in her late years.
Ginger