Sleep without trazadone

So sorry to hear about you tapering off trazodone and having issues. I hope you are successful find answers.

I have been on trazodone 200 mg at bedtime for about 20 years plus. I have to eat with it and it works just fine. Is there side effects from using this. I have not heard about that. I would be very interested in some feedback on this. Cause I can go to sleep just fine. My problem is staying a sleep. If anyone has suggested on how to stay asleep please let me know.on both.

I have started taking Gabbatine not sure I spelled it right I have Restless Leg Syndrome and sleep apnea so far this is the only thing that has helped me fall a sleep and stay a sleep

Glad that is working for you.

Trazadone use is associated with dementia. Search pubmed for references. Try Belsomra, which is not a hypnotic like most sleeping pills. Because you have trouble staying asleep, consider getting checked for sleep apnea. It's much more common than most people think.

I read the article you mention on pubmed. It doesn’t say that Trazodone is associated with dementia. It was a study but there was no conclusive result. There are several studies with people who already have dementia and the use of Trazodone. Or maybe I missed something? Trazodone works in a different way than typical hypnotic’s. Belsomra is a controlled substance and can be habit forming. I’m sure it has great benefits aiding insomnia! But I would be careful with its use as well! I’ve been on and off Trazodone for insomnia for years and I incorporate meditation and more natural remedies. I often find it difficult to fall asleep and don’t always fair well with staying asleep! I have major depressive disorder so Belsomra isn’t an option for me. Trazodone is often prescribed for sleep for people with depression. Not always, it’s being prescribed more now days because it’s less habit forming. Every medication has side effects! Insomnia can be a long term condition and a lot of sleep meds aren’t really intended for long term use. That’s the challenge we face with insomnia! Best of luck to you in treatment! I’m glad you found something that helps!

I’ve taken Trazodone for many years for insomnia too. I was on 250mg and am now down to 25 to 50mg a night. I have gone off it at times, but find I have a hard time falling and staying asleep.
I have done some reading on other ways to aid in sleeping. Having a sleep routine and some rituals that help. I practice meditation and have an app called Calm that has sleep stories, etc. Those things don’t always do it 100% but they can help. I’ve found some over the counter sleep aids that help as well. I have been able to taper Trazodone by using an over the counter sleep aid like Sleep 3 with it.
Do you have a ‘sleep routine’? Have you ever tried sleep stories or other forms of meditation to assist in preparing to sleep? I have chronic insomnia, it runs in my family. Along with RLS that comes on at night! I’ve found incorporating different techniques into my sleep routine can help.
There seems to be no magic recipe! Have you talked with your doctor about what you can try in place of Trazodone? If you want to get off Trazodone, continue to do so slowly. Try OTC as well as other sleep techniques that might help in it’s place.

I realize this thread is probably dead, but I read with interest as last night while traveling on an overnight i forgot my trazodone, 100mg nightly. It was a disaster of an evening as I expected it would be with very little sleep. I've read in multiple accredited sites that long term use "doesn't really help with sleep". I'm going to call that false with a sample size of N=1. I'm going to bring this up with my GP but since I'm now trying to treat BPH symptoms at night not really interested in "stopping" the trazodone! (references to drinking milk before bed...would be a disaster for me i.e. trips to the bathroom milk is the worst at night!!!)

N=2. I have taken it for years. It has made a difference for me. Had bad insomnia for years, and getting to sleep was difficult due to the "eternal recurrence." I've had likely no more than two cases of insomnia over numerous years and I am too sleepy for that tape recorder in my head to continuously loop. I take it about 2 hours before I get ready for bed.

Also a poor sleeper. Learned to live with it. Apps like Calm and self-hypnosis recordings help. Even tho “sleep hygiene” )which is crap) says don’t read in bed, it really helps me fall asleep. I take temazepam only occasionally now. Hope you can sleep better soon.