1. < Sleep Health

Trazodone helps my sleep deprivation but may be caused other issues.

Posted by chris20 @chris20, Oct 20, 2023

Trazodone helped my sleep pattern of 3-4 hours per night, improving that to 5 to 6 hours, and sometimes even 7. This has been a relief, but I have noticed a lessening of ability to enjoy things, e.g. poor appetite, loss of sense of humor, agonizing over political matters, reduced interest in activities formerly enjoyed. Increased sense of caregiver burnout is a big thing, after nearly nine years, 24/7. Now I am wondering if I need to wean myself off the Trazodone. I don't take any other mood or anxiety medication due to side effects. I work out about an hour every day, read, do brain exercises daily, and often play gospel music for people in nursing homes, so it's not a matter of being inactive. Any suggestions are welcome.

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ripley | @ripley | Nov 24, 2023
In reply to @akhw "I had nightmares when taking trauma done. There are other, much better alternatives. I’ve settled on..." + (show)
@akhw

I had nightmares when taking trauma done. There are other, much better alternatives. I’ve settled on doxepin. I get occasional terrors, but usually only if I take the maximum prescribed dose, 20 mg. My prescription is for 10 -20 mg as needed.

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Did you taper down on Trazodone to stop? Also, did you have to wait a while after stopping before you could start doxepin? I read that somewhere.

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akhw | @akhw | Nov 24, 2023

I did Not taper down on trazadone, but I was only taking it as needed. I started taking doxepin about 4-5 years after quitting trazadone. I get a good night’s sleep with doxepin. The prescription for doxepin is for 1-2 10 mg capsules; 1 is just right & 2 gives me the same night terrors as trazadone. Interesting…maybe adjusting trazadone dosage would have worked too.

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1 reply
cindisue | @cindisue | Nov 25, 2023
In reply to @akhw "I did Not taper down on trazadone, but I was only taking it as needed. I..." + (show)
@akhw

I did Not taper down on trazadone, but I was only taking it as needed. I started taking doxepin about 4-5 years after quitting trazadone. I get a good night’s sleep with doxepin. The prescription for doxepin is for 1-2 10 mg capsules; 1 is just right & 2 gives me the same night terrors as trazadone. Interesting…maybe adjusting trazadone dosage would have worked too.

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akhw.... you say you take doxepin for sleep....does it give you any bad side effects? And how long did you have to take it before it started to help with your sleep? I just started taking Mirtazapine but it makes my legs very achy....

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akhw | @akhw | Nov 25, 2023

Cindisue

I don’t recall any adjustment when beginning doxepin. I began getting a good night’s sleep immediately. I have many other issues with my spine including rods & screws holding me upright (kinda), so I also take gabapentin. I do wake a couple of times a night to go to the bathroom, but go back to sleep easily.

I’m alert when I awaken, but have always been one to awaken fully alert. I rarely drink coffee or tea or cola to jump start my day. I don’t get a ‘hangover’ from the doxepin.

A note about my experience with night terrors: I’ve made the connection between terrors and the increase in dosage from 10 to 20 mg. of doxepin. I have terribly frightening dreams & can’t awaken without assistance. I scream for my husband’s help & he awakens me. Unfortunately I don’t usually stay awake & quickly fall asleep, returning to the same dream. I’ve basically quit taking that 2nd 10 mg. capsule, then all is fine. If 10 mg. isn’t sufficient to get me to sleep (rarely), then I tell myself that loosing a few hours, or nite’s sleep won’t kill me…I’ll sleep when I need to. I’ll just read until I feel sleepy.

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1 reply
cindisue | @cindisue | Nov 26, 2023
In reply to @akhw "Cindisue I don’t recall any adjustment when beginning doxepin. I began getting a good night’s sleep..." + (show)
@akhw

Cindisue

I don’t recall any adjustment when beginning doxepin. I began getting a good night’s sleep immediately. I have many other issues with my spine including rods & screws holding me upright (kinda), so I also take gabapentin. I do wake a couple of times a night to go to the bathroom, but go back to sleep easily.

I’m alert when I awaken, but have always been one to awaken fully alert. I rarely drink coffee or tea or cola to jump start my day. I don’t get a ‘hangover’ from the doxepin.

A note about my experience with night terrors: I’ve made the connection between terrors and the increase in dosage from 10 to 20 mg. of doxepin. I have terribly frightening dreams & can’t awaken without assistance. I scream for my husband’s help & he awakens me. Unfortunately I don’t usually stay awake & quickly fall asleep, returning to the same dream. I’ve basically quit taking that 2nd 10 mg. capsule, then all is fine. If 10 mg. isn’t sufficient to get me to sleep (rarely), then I tell myself that loosing a few hours, or nite’s sleep won’t kill me…I’ll sleep when I need to. I’ll just read until I feel sleepy.

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Ok, thanks for explaining to me. You also take Gabapentin which can help with sleep too...so maybe the combination of the two. Do you take the Doxepin just as needed? Like you did with Trazodone...

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1 reply
cindisue | @cindisue | Nov 26, 2023
In reply to @lizziel1 "Unfortunately antidepressants cause one to have no feelings. At 65, I’ve been on since a teenager...." + (show)
@lizziel1

Unfortunately antidepressants cause one to have no feelings. At 65, I’ve been on since a teenager. Today I don’t experience sadness, joy, love, etc. sort of the price you pay to not have depression.
I would not take an antidepressant for a sleep disorder, if you aren’t depressed. There are better options.

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You say you wouldn't take an anti-depressant for sleep if you aren't depressed.....and that there are better options....what are the better options??

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aviswalton123 | @aviswalton123 | Nov 27, 2023

I would also like to know any other options?

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akhw | @akhw | Nov 27, 2023
In reply to @cindisue "Ok, thanks for explaining to me. You also take Gabapentin which can help with sleep too...so..." + (show)
@cindisue

Ok, thanks for explaining to me. You also take Gabapentin which can help with sleep too...so maybe the combination of the two. Do you take the Doxepin just as needed? Like you did with Trazodone...

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I take the 10 mg. Doxepin nightly Cindi Sue.

I used to kid myself by occasionally taking that 2nd dose later in the night, bringing it to 20 mg. I thought it would help me sleep. Since I made the connection between terrors & the 2nd dose, I quit taking it. Better to be tired from reading into the night than needing someone to wake me.

I take gabapentin 3x/day. It doesn’t make me sleepy, while most people complain of drowsiness with gabapentin. I do take both gabapentin & doxepin at night. Perhaps the gaba gives an additional boost to sleep, I just don’t know.

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chris20 | @chris20 | Nov 27, 2023

I started tapering off on the Trazodone after some screwups by the pharmacy. It didn't make any difference. I now take a 50mg tablet every other night, and I have been getting 5-1/2 to 6 hours sleep. Next week I will attempt to discontinue it completely. If I can get 6 hours a night fairly regularly, I can live with that.

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