After many attempts with various sleep meds - Lunesta, Ambien, Rozerem, my doctor and T put me on Trazodone.

I took 50 mg. the first night, it did not put me to sleep like xanax does but it did keep me asleep and I woke up the next morning feeling like I drank heavily the night before. I've continued to take it but I'm constantly tired, but not tired enough to go to sleep (I have extreme intrusive thoughts until I force myself to close my eyes!) The Trazodone, when it finally starts working (approx. 2 hours after I take it) gives my head a very strange feeling - picture a lava lamp, and that's what my head feels like - a big blob floating around, it's very dizzying. I no longer have the "drunken" feeling in the morning but I could literally stay in bed all day (but again, not tired enough to go to sleep). I'm exhausted all of the time.

At this point, I'm just ready to stay up all night for days because nothing is working. I'm at the end of my rope and I just want to scream. The nightmares are getting worse. The exhaustion is getting worse. I want to cry.

My PCP wanted me to start taking 100 mg after the first week of being on 50 mg, but I have not upped the dosage yet because I don't want the side-effects to get worse.

What should I do? I just don't know anymore. I feel like I would be more productive if I just stayed up all night like I used to before I started taking the sleep meds. I feel like now I'm not sleeping well and I'm still exhausted, so what's the point??

I apologize if this post doesn't make sense - I'm tired and can't seem to articulate myself well, right now.

- Rachel (who really just wants to give up)

I felt the same way when I was on trazadone. But I also started getting these funny little heart palpitations. My doc said that it didn't have anything to do with the traz.....then I got an emergency message to go to the hosp for an
EKG. It was okay but my doc took me off the traz.
In my 10m years of dealing (ha ha)with this crap, I have found that the only thing that works is ativan and music. I have trained myself to listen to this one track and go into a state where I can sort of relax. I pray and sometimes, if I have to, I will take .25 mg of ativan ( it makes me rational).
I don't have side effects from this. It isn't always effective sleep wise but at least it is very soothing, and sometimes that is more important

hjpalm,

After years and years of this crap, what actually works best for me is the Xanax. However, I keep having to up the dosage on the Xanax and that worries me. I'm the type of person who really likes downers and so I'm really trying to self regulate. The xanax works best compared to everything else I've tried, but it does NOT keep me asleep - it will only keep me asleep if I continue to up the dosage.

ugh, I just don't know. I just don't know!

I guess what I was trying to say is that this has taken over my life. The fear, I'm sure you know. I get on my hands and knees on my bed. I stretch, I pray, I listen to that song. I combat the feelings. Then, when it releases a little I work with that and on and on. everyday. Your mind isn't going to settle for a quick fix. Drugs eventually won't do it. the side effects are too much or the drug's effectiveness will change. That is why I do this. Call it behavior modification or re-training, whatever. But you have to be willing to take the time to reach in there and find out what is going on.
I was on the very edge of the precipice. There wasn't any chance or choice of avoiding doing it this way.

Hi Linasmom

I had the same reaction to Trazodone; the morning after-effects just don't seem worth the few hours of sleep it provided. I can only offer you my understanding and support as you try to work your way through--it can be doubly difficult if you know you have a predisposition towards certain medications.

I'm currently trying to even find a psychiatrist who can prescribe meds; there seems to be a shortage of adult treating docs in my area; I hesitate to ask for anything through my Primary Care doc because she doesn't have a clue about PTSD and how it works. Sigh.

Hang in there; I'm sure you've already tried the hot bath / warm milk / leisurely walk 4 hours before bedtime approach. Sorry, that's all I've got and it only works for me sporadically.

Wow Rachael;
I've been through this sleep stuff for about 15 years.......never realized I had PTSD. I too was put on practically everything. The trazadone made me feel terrible all day, really did help me sleep either.

I'm doing a lot better with the sleep thing. Probably cause I"m not living with a trigger. But I do take a half of Klonopin when I think I"m going to have trouble.

I don't know if you can 'switch' to a different benzo when you start building tolerance, that's a ? I need to ask still. But the only thing that has worked for my sleep issues so far is the benzos.

I feel for you...........not sleeping is agonizing, I didn't sleep a wink for probably 5 years, despite meditation, etc. I went psychotic. So really need to get on top of this issue FIRST...........it's a priority. Work with your docs, don't give up. Can't get anywhere without sleeping first.

Thanks guys. It's so frustrating and for a person who never cries, I'm seriously on the brink.

I'm really going to consider just going back on the benzos at night for sleep. It's the only thing that doesn't make me feel like crap the day after. I'm going to talk to my T about it tomorrow.

The thing with Traz.....You HAVE to take it with food for it to work fast. You can also try cutting the tabs in half to 25mgs. I was on it for 11 yrs. It worked great for me, but we are not all alike.

I would suggest starting out at the lower dose, and work up to a higher dosage.....Remember this is your body, and your sleep. if you can't tolerate it after a couple of weeks, then tell your Dr......

SheCat,

I'm going to take your advice tonight and take 25 mg. with food. I tried taking 25 mg the day after the first time I took them, but it didn't work at all, so I will try it with food.

Thanks!!

I've been on Trazadone for a month or two. I have that "lava lamp" feeling as well as the heart palps too, but they have gotten better. I have to take 150 mg for it to really work, though. While I do wake up sleepy, it's better than not getting sleep at all. I was taking Ativan to get me to sleep, but I was told that it's not really good to do that every night. Good luck.

nic