I'm 38, inherited the whole manic depressive/bipolar thing from my father (who needed mental health help so very bad),and it presented in my preteens, have PTSD from more than one trauma, and repressed memories trying very hard to come out, and panic/anxiety disorder (that gets worse by the day thanks to said horrible, hidden memories forcing their way to the surface). I'm a disaster inside my brain, not a hopeless disaster, but quite the jumbled train wreck.
I that all medications react differently to each person, and I'm a prime example, as I'm ridiculously sensitive to medication.
That being said, I love Trazadone for sleep! It is the one & only thing that has ever shut my mind off, to stop the racing, crazy thoughts zooming all around inside my head, and to kill the bad dreams. It's precious & beautiful to me in that regard.
I was originally prescribed the 100 mg dose at night, and it was overkill, as the drug can really create some bad side effects, i.e.; dizziness, drowsiness, the 'duh' effect (where one has moments of absolute stupidity & loss of rememberance when doing things you've done your whole life), extra depression and sadness, reduced motor skill & balance functions, messed up heart rate, zombie feelings, a 'Trazadone hangover' ... when the dose is more than needed. All very nasty & scary side effects, but there is something can be done to reduce the heavy side effects of Trazadone, and that is to get a pill cutter, and cut that sucker into half doses, or, in my case, quarter doses.
It took quite a bit of trial & error before I was able to know what dose worked for me, but figure it out I did, and, I only require a 25mg dose at bedtime. I sleep beautifully, for 6-8 hours, and don't wake up with the Trazadone hangover.
Just recently, my psych dr recommended that I try it for my never-ending, severe general anxiety, rather than the new addition of Lexapro, which is very numbing to the body, libido, and mind, and beta blocker that affects my heart rate/blood pressure far worse than the Traz does. Again, I had to fiddle with dosage amounts, and during the day (5:00-9:00), I require a 12mg dose, as needed to calm me for 5 hours or so.
And it works. I'm calm, but not zombied out, not drowsy and sleepy, not dizzy, very little heart rate/tachycardia effects. Unfortunately, due to the Traz and another med, I have quite a few duh moments & brain block every day. I can actually get through each day now, in a relatively calm and peaceful mood, mind, and physically, too, and be able to feel some happiness in my life, and that hasn't happened for many years. I don't get easily agitated and irritated at every thing, I don't wear a scowl or frown on my face, I'm no longer ruining and severing the cords of husband, family and friend binding.
Needless to say, I employ the heck out of my handy dandy pill cutter!
If you think that a smaller dose of a medication could be a benefit to you, I recommend trying it.
Always inform your dr of med changes, though.
Thank you I was researching for a family member and this is so informative.You need to know you may have saved their well being or even life.Thanks again and God Bless
don't ill advise people; trazodone is not a tricyclic.
Do you take anything else?
Tro Buspar or Buspirone and Escopalatram
Try watching u tube with Micheal Sealey, Sleep hypnosis for calming the active mind. It works! Get on your phone or what ever and lie down.
i pray for help with my anxiety and it doesnt help. i pray for help for my insomnia and without medication i get no relief. if it helps you. god bless you