Trazadone for sleep? (and axiety)? - Sleep Disorders Message Board

merrylee · 01-16-2008, 07:26 AM

Hi. Since my twins were born 2 years ago, I have barely slept. I tried paxil (nightmare), lorazepam and am now on klonipin with an occasional ambien, But those are working well anymore and I average 5 hrs a sleep. I am moody, tired, and very short-tempered with my kids. I might go back on an anitidepressant and pray for much better success than the paxil.

I heard trazadone can help with sleep? Any info or suggestions for other brands would be GREAT! I want sleep. I want to enjoy my children!

riboflavin2 · 01-16-2008, 07:52 AM

It's hard to say whether Trazodone will help. It tends to help with sleep duration, and is generally non-addicting. It won't completely knock you out like benzos and ambien though. Also, it will likely have you feeling groggy the next day and there are some weird side effects, most notably a rapid/fluttering heartbeat shortly after taking it.

The regimen you're currently on is bad news though. Klonopin and Ambien are very addictive drugs, and might be contributing to your problems at this point.

Drugs aren't the way to go longterm. You know what is causing your insomnia(babies). There has to be a solution you haven't thought of.

john00-us · 01-16-2008, 10:37 AM

i was just prescribed trazadone. but i refuse to take it. i'll rather sleep 4hrs a night than worrying about the side of effect (prisiamn?.. the genital side effect)

merrylee · 01-16-2008, 12:17 PM

I have two heart problems - superventricular tachycardia and pvcs, so this would be bad for me!!
As for the kids, they sleep through the night. They just are a real handful during the day. I have tried weaning off the klonipin. I was down to .25 mg a night and used ambien about once a week. Now it's a mess and I am taking .5 mg klonipin (I am still low dose). But I never have a deep, restful sleep.

melanie in mary · 01-17-2008, 06:30 AM

I have the same problem Merrylee except my child is 4 years old and I feel like a bad mother because of this sleep issue. I take 1 klonopin at night for sleep but have tried breaking it in half, that didn't help. I tried trazadone, no help. Ambien helps if you don't take it too often. I have tried serequel, everything herbal and over the counter. I get grouchy toward the evening. I do not know what to do, but if you find someway that helps please share it with me!! I feel your pain as one mom to another and please keep trying and don't give up.