I have been having some Insomnia problems lately( 3-4 weeks )
where I am awake all night and then ,mabe, I fall asleep for 2-3 hours in the morning.
The doctor first prescribed Ambien,which after a week to 10 days I called him up and said it was giving me no relief. Now he has me tringthis stuff called TRAZODONE ( 100-200mg. )
Lately, about 1 out of 4 days ,I do sleep for about 6 hours at regular bedtime! I also drink "Sleepy-Time" tea.
Has anyone here used or knows about TRAZODONE ??? And what can you tell me about it ?????
THANKS,

Kinda-unwell

The VA seems to use Trazodone for all its' patients having problems with sleep. I have been prescribed it (100 mg) and take it occasionally. It does seem to help when I'm having sleep problems. However, like Michelle, it kinda leaves me with a hangover feeling the next day that I don't like. It is really an antidepressant is what I've been told and is not suppose to be habit forming. I'm in the process of trying Valerien Root, an herb used for centuries by the Egyptians, and it seems to have a relaxing effect. Trazodone seems to help as a last resort when I can't get to sleep at all. Hope this helps.
David

Hi,Murphy555,
The plan my doctor has for me is the following:

1) First 3 days take only 100mg. at night-time.

2) Second 3days take 150mg. at night-time.

3) third 3 days take 200mg. at night-time.
Then stop the medication completely!!!
If I still can't any results from it (trazodone), he wants me to call him right away, and he will think of something-else to try on me.... In the past, when I was on very strong Pain medications (FROM 2 lumbar surgeries ) if I felt the prescribed amount of medication didn't stop the Siotic nerve pain, I started to self-medicate. this caused many problems (physical dependence ) a 5 day stay at a detox hospital.
although 35 days have gone by without me taking or asking for hard drugs, which has impressed my doctor, he is still concerned about me over-medicating anything he prescribes me. thus no schedure 3 drugs for me yet!!!! I tried ambien for 10 days with no help for my insomnia. I wonder what is next for me ??????

Anyway,sadsister, any facts or expierences you have on this TRAZODONE I would really appreciate.also let me know what "demon" medications you are fighting against....

Take good care murphy555,
'
Kinda-unwell

HI,to everyone!
I am getting alot of useful information from everyones reply post.But, they have also raised alot of questions in my mind.My post written on 12/27 described how my doctor wants to take this medicine.'

1) first 3 days start by taking one 100mg. at night.

2) DAYS 4,5,6, TAKE 150 MG.AT NIGHT.
`
3) DAYS,7,8,9, ,TAKE 200MG. AT NIGHT.

wHY IS IT MY DOCTOR HAS ME WEANING-UP, INSTEAD OF STARTING ME AT 200mg.>>> Does that seem "ODD" to you guys ????
Well, I guess it doesn't really matter,CAUSE the first 6 days, i felt nothing ( not even a yawn! I got 2 hours sleep today,from 7am-9am-. My wife woke me up, reminded me we had an afternoon/night-time party to attend today,and not feeling tired at all, I took a shower and shaved,got dressed up and by 11am we were off to jersey for the parties.I felt wide awake, talked to everybody socially. I also ate a hugh amount of orderbs, and still finisded off my hefty dinner plate.
When we got home tonight, Itook my regular medication, and for the time I took the proscribed 200 mg.of trazodone and I feel like I going to be awake again till tomorrow morning. Why doesn't Ambien or this trazdone work on me ?????
Some of you guys said you get better results when you only take 25-5o mg. SO why does my doctor have me going up, instead ,of goiing down ???
m
What other medication is there ( Benzo or not ) that will absolutely "Knock me out" around normal sleeping time ???
I'll be calling the doctor on Monday to let him know the Trazodone isn't helping. And I would like to have some names of medications to suggest to him. Even if the prescription is only for a few days. I just have to get 2-3 days in a row of solid sleep.
This Insomnia is making my brain slower, not to mention other ill effects on both my body and mind.
Does antone know of anthing I can suggest to him,( even if it is a Level 3 Narcotic )

Thanks to all,

Kinda-Unwell

hi kindaunwell...yes as everyone has stated here, trazodone is an anti-depressant. i wonder about your history however, as you also stated that ambien does nothing either. what other meds do you take? have you been on benzos in the past? the most heavy duty one would be flurazepam. but no DR. will prescribe that if there is any history of abuse. it is quite common for some people to not respond to the light-weight sleeping meds. Ativan (lorazepam) is often prescribed for short-term insomnia. if this doesn't work, then flurazepam is next (short-term only), they are both benzos and are only for short-term relief, as they are too easy to abuse. yes, there are other hypnotics, but they are hardly prescribed outside a hospital setting as they are way too dangerous. hope this helps a little...