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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
[email protected]Shown: posts 1 to 11 of 11. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Phillipa on April 28, 2005, at 21:37:48
It's me again. My son-in-law was Rx'd trazadone and felt awful the next day so he's not going to take it anymore. I know a lot of you like this for sleep but what are the side effects, risks[priapism?] feelings about this drug. I could search it but I trust you guys first. Thanks Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by vivi on April 28, 2005, at 21:51:52
In reply to Trazadone, Hangover and Feel Awful, posted by Phillipa on April 28, 2005, at 21:37:48
> It's me again. My son-in-law was Rx'd trazadone and felt awful the next day so he's not going to take it anymore. I know a lot of you like this for sleep but what are the side effects, risks[priapism?] feelings about this drug. I could search it but I trust you guys first. Thanks Fondly, Phillipa
I took Trazadone 100 mg for sleep and felt awful the next day, like a zombie. I did not stay on long and then switched to Ambien and now Lunesta
Posted by JKL on April 29, 2005, at 6:26:51
In reply to Trazadone, Hangover and Feel Awful, posted by Phillipa on April 28, 2005, at 21:37:48
I've tried everything for sleep, including traz. I find the atypical antipsychotics to be the best sleep meds available. Zyprexa is my favorite.
Traz, serzone, tricyclics, ambien, etc...they can all help sleep, but they just feel "dirty" and they all have a morning hangover and some daytime grogginess, to me.
Zyprexa, in contrast, feels very "clean". I have absolutely no morning hangover and no grogginess at all. I did have a slight hangover and grogginess the first week or so, but that went away completely in short order. Just real good sleep, the kind where you wake up feeling like you slept real good.
I know we all respond differently. Personally I do not like any of the sleep meds out there. Only the APs, zyprexa in particular, are fit for the job, for me. And I like the way it works reliably night after night, year after year.
I also take prozac and sjw, which I find activating and cause insomnia. Zyprexa completely and cleanly over-rides that at bedtime.
Posted by CK1 on April 29, 2005, at 10:01:51
In reply to Re: Trazadone, Hangover and Feel Awful, posted by JKL on April 29, 2005, at 6:26:51
Philippa,
I took Trazadone last night for the first time and I feel horrendous this morning. I know it's the Trazadone. I have a test in 15 minutes and feel nauseated and awful.
I couldn't resist coming back to the board. It helps me get through this. Why? I don't know, but it helps.
Posted by Wildflower on April 29, 2005, at 11:54:05
In reply to Trazadone, Hangover and Feel Awful, posted by Phillipa on April 28, 2005, at 21:37:48
> I know a lot of you like this for sleep but what are the side effects, risks[priapism?] feelings about this drug.
I personally didn't last long on trazadone. I felt like I was hungover each morning and it was even harder to get out of my bed. Even a tiny amount created this effect. I've found luck using non-traditional sleep aids. Currently I take Klonopin before bed. It has a sedating effect and has helped with the anxiety of try to fall asleep.
Posted by mattw84 on April 29, 2005, at 21:41:55
In reply to Re: Trazadone, Hangover and Feel Awful » Phillipa, posted by Wildflower on April 29, 2005, at 11:54:05
To all,
Trazodone is an effective *short* term treatment for insomnia. As many of you have pointed out, you have experienced the hangover thereof -- which is pretty much universal... Anyone who uses Trazodone for sleep is bound to have a hangover. Regardless, it is has amongst the safest dose vs. side-effect profile compared to other sleep aids. I currently am an MS2 med student and see this frequently prescribed simply based on the fact that:
A) It *ALWAYS* works
B) Is not a drug used recreationally (A basis for many prescribing physicians regardless of a patient's known history. No physician wants their liability insurance to eat up any more of their income than it already does...)
C) Out of 200+ patients I have seen this prescribed to - not one has had the so affectionately coined "boner" side-effect. Priapism and Trazodone, though medically documented, is regarded as nearly a "medicinal urban legend." (Either way viagra, or the "blue-pill," is only 20 times the cost... So I guess as a doc you just can't ever satisfy everyone.)
Also mentioned, the atypical antipsychotic class is often utilized for reasons A/B listed above. Olanzapine (Zyprexa) is very effective, as well as a few others...
True sedative/hypnotics are difficult to get prescribed by at a clinic/hospital simply because they are easily misused(date rape...) or abused by a patient. (Which polypharmically can be fatal in some cases.)
However, if you see an interest or psychiatrist, your options expand greatly but not implied that this is for the better. It only means that your physician has been paid to go on vacation and attend an 'educational seminar' or symposium for the latest and greatest treatment for insomnia. (Most recent is Lunesta I believe? Either way we have a lot of residents in/on their way to a Long Beach symposium... ahh the rough life...)
Ambien, Sonata, and a few benzos pretty much reign over what I personally consider to be the ideal treatments. Most residents just tell me to shut up and let them write the rx's though - so what is my advice worth. Oh wait...
In my personal experience (!) the "z" class and benzos create an undo and rather rapid tolerance/dependence upon themselves. (Not to imply that such an effect is not beneficial to the *poor* pharmaceutical industry.)
I am currently withdrawing from 6 milligrams of daily treatment with Xanax. I am officially down to 5.75mg per day and as per experience would recommend that this group of drugs be avoided. Of course the first symptom of withdrawal is insomnia. Firstly I tried Trazodone -- which like others, left me hung over on an extremely crucial day so I refuted taking anymore. Next came Ambien, which just so happens to have a high affinity for GABA(alpha) receptors, just like Xanax! Does it allow me to sleep - yes, but does it further my ability to withdraw from Xanax - NO! "It is not a benzo so what are you worried about," quoth the attending on Wednesday. How some people get their license to practice is beyond me...
So I spoke with resident psychiatrist (for whom I have little respect for -- or for the profession) and asked her what sedative/hypnotics were available. She was unable to think of any off-hand!! (Even though a second year med student, myself, can think of 6.) So I made a few suggestions and came to an agreement to "trial" a long-standing, as in having been in practice since 1832, insomnia treatment. (Yes -- 1832)
Since having initiated my adjuvent treatment with this drug I have had no ill side-effect and will undoubtedly be able to taper much more quickly had I not ever encountered this pharma.
You all are probably wondering what this 'miracle' insomnia cure is -- well it's not for everyone. Yet is have a *DEEP* respect for medications it may just be the answer to your prayers. The drug is coined "Somnote" but is perhaps better known as the "Mickey Finn" or "Knockout Drops." Generic name: Chloral Hydrate. The utmost effective and alike side-effect lacking treatment for insomnia I have yet to encounter.
Now, if you go to your doctor requesting chloral hydrate you will likely be instantly flagged as a drug abuser - it ranks up their with asking for morphine or quaaludes. Refer to http://www.somnote.com for further information. I hope this help all my fellow insomniacs out there, and maybe even save you all a few bucks.
Best of luck to all -- Regards,
M.W.
* I apologize to all for having not posted recently, life has been hectic and I can't seem to find the balance! All are welcome to Babble-Mail me their questions if you want my input any more quickly!
Posted by Phillipa on April 29, 2005, at 22:25:28
In reply to Trazodone?? Please... Take a moment to read... ***, posted by mattw84 on April 29, 2005, at 21:41:55
Matt, I was on chloral hydrate for 8 years. First 5cc then up to l0cc. I'm now weaned off of it and prefer the valium. the chloral hydrate worked great. Drink it and wham asleep. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by mattw84 on April 29, 2005, at 22:48:31
In reply to Re: Trazodone?? Please... Take a moment to read... *** » mattw84, posted by Phillipa on April 29, 2005, at 22:25:28
Posted by Phillipa on April 29, 2005, at 23:41:33
In reply to Re: Trazodone?? Please... Take a moment to read... *** » mattw84, posted by Phillipa on April 29, 2005, at 22:25:28
Matt, It's good to know that someone like you will one day be rxing for the public. And to know that you may be young but you know the older meds. I received much grief from others when on CH. Everyone thought I was more depressed from it. But that wasn't true. Just because noone knew about it and it was so old they assumed it had to be bad. The pdoc who Rx'd it for me kept reassuring me that it was "safe for babies and elderly". I remembered when doing some PRN in a nursing home that the old green chloral hydrate gel caps were what all the elderly were taking for sleep. Unfortunately this pdoc became very greedy. He is now under investigation for insurance fraud and illegal distribution of illegal substances. He worked out of three hospitals, had offices in three cities, did jails, nursing homes, and it's come to light was doing all the PTSD testing for the VA and getting all the Vets on disability. As a metter of fact he is responsible for getting me on disability. When he got me on it I could have easily gone back to work. I'd love to know what he said about me as I was in the hospital because my thyroid went out of wack and my TSH was 22. Once it was corrected I felt well. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by Cecilia on April 30, 2005, at 3:37:21
In reply to Trazodone?? Please... Take a moment to read... ***, posted by mattw84 on April 29, 2005, at 21:41:55
Trazodone does not "always" work. It had zero effect on me. No sedative or AD effects, no side effects in doses below 400 mg/day. Cecilia
Posted by Cairo on May 1, 2005, at 8:20:57
In reply to Trazadone, Hangover and Feel Awful, posted by Phillipa on April 28, 2005, at 21:37:48
I've been on Trazodone for at least 4 years. I had the same hungover feeling taking it when I first started as well as vertigo. I found that I needed to start very low (1/2 tab) and work my way up as I am very sensitive to doses. To this day, I still need to sometimes raise or cut back the dose (now 75mg) depending on other factors: increased stress, other meds added to my regimen, how much exercise I had that day. But all in all, I've found that trazodone is the best sleep med I've tried and no tolerance developed, no weight gain. Of course it doesn't touch my Fibromyalgia muscle tightness and spasm, but at least I don't wake up and no morning hangover which I get with just about everything else.
When I was in a very terrible flare, adding Neurontin 600mg at bedtime to trazodone put me into a very deep sleep. But tolerance to the Neurontin builds rather quickly.
Cairo
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