So, I was recently given a script for Klonopin (filled as Clonazepam) 0.5 mg, and Trazodone 50 mg. I took just the Clonazepam for the first week (to help me fall asleep) and then started taking the Trazodone as well (to help me stay asleep). However, my cousin, who is an M.D. (anesthesiology) is currently on her psych rotation, and said that she has seen quite a few people on both who end up there for problems, and that the Clonazepam is physically addictive. I did some reading around, and turns out that it can be, in as little as 2 weeks, and on as low a dose as 2 mg/day. So, I was wondering if anyone else had any experience taking either or both of these as a sleep aid. I am planning on calling my doc tomorrow to see what she says. I've seen in my looking that Rozerem is supposed to be very good as a sleep aid, and is US DEA approved as being non-addictive.
Also, I just saw for the first time that Trazodone, under rare side effects, lists abnormally low BP. I tend to run a little on the low side (100/65), but was at the doc this morning and it was 92/41. I know the Trazodone was still in my system as I had been up for barely an hour. I checked it tonight, and it was back to its normal of 112/62. Anyone seen this with this drug? I already have orthostatic hypotension, and I'm afraid that I'm going to start passing out every morning from my BP being so low if I keep taking it. Thanks all.
Oh boy, I have to jump in on this one. I was "addicted" prescribed sleeping pills. They are all "benzo's" and very very addictive after only a wk or so. Xanax and klonopin, Ativan, valium are the worst! Valium has a long life span so withdrawal is a bit easier, but the others very short life span, thus giving tolerance withdrawal while one is on them!!!! Most people keep "upping" the dose to get the desired effect due to the tolerance, not knowing they are addicted! They start having all kind of weird symptoms, thinking its anxiety or depression, aches and pains etc etc so they keep taking them in larger amts. I went thru pure HELL trying to get off a "low dose" of dalmane and xanax, not even taking them on a regular basis to boot! I thought since I was on such a low dose it couldn't be "addiction"? well I found out. Anyone on these drugs can not just "stop"!!!!!! it takes a long time of slowly cutting tiny bits off every few wks. It took me over a yr to get thru that hell! I see so many people "hooked" and unaware of why they have so many strange symptoms! It is well documented that "benzo's" are for use only a couple days and never ever long term!!! but doctors continue to throw them at patients to shut them up. An alternative for insomnia: low low dose of Mirtrazapene (Remeron) - like 7.5mg split a 15mg pill. that's an anti d, but it does put weight on!! Melatonin is another option, tylonel pm, magnesium, 5-htp helped me too, these are some of the non benzo's I use off and on. If you read more about benzo withdrawal you'll never touch one again. Again, anyone on these meds DO NOT STOP COLD TURKEY, people have died due to just stopping, slow weaning is the only way.
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Yeah, I've been reading about all of the problems w/benzo's, and the addiction possibility. I haven't noticed any new symptoms since I started them, so I guess that's good. And I only took the Trazodone for 3-4 days, and haven't noticed anything since stopping it. I thought about 5-HTP, but it interacts with the pain med that I'm taking, so that's out. I was going to ask my doc later today when they call about melatonin though, or Rozerem. The problem is, they are pretty sure that I have alpha brain waves while sleeping (those are the ones that are only supposed to happen while awake). So something like melatonin may not work because it just helps your body settle back into it's natural rhythm. And if my rhythm is messed up, it may not help. Once my cousin told me how addictive they could be, and I did some reading online about it, I called my doc's office the next morning (Friday). The doc was busy then, thus the wait until today to hear back.
you might want to try something natural/herbal like valerian or hops. if you have an herbalist in your area you could inquire for a safe sleep aid and bypass the problems that prescription sleep aids pose.
i used to be skeptical of the efficacy of herbal medicine - that it seemed too benign to do anything, but i've since had some really great experiences with herbal remedies, so i'm pretty impressed.
another natural remedy is l-serine, which is an amino acid. some people find that helpful in getting to sleep and sleeping soundly without the grogginess or other worries that come with benzos and such.
Not knowing that Klonipin was so addictive, I took it to help me sleep a few years back.
After about a year, I decided to try and go off - to see if I could sleep better. It was a NIGHTMARE!!!!!!!! I was shaking, sweating, having nightmares, etc. etc. etc.
It scared the heck outta me! I took myself off slowly over about 6 months. I cut the pills and decreased my dose over time.
I'd rather not sleep!
I'm glad you are learning about this before you've been on awhile.
Hi! Ii just joined. I'm so glad to find this site after many day's searching. I'm being weaned off of a long romance with 2 10/mg tablents per night for many years. I am presently taking one ambien 10mg every 4 hours with phenobarbitol 4 times a day. This is a scary, ugly experience. Does it really take so many months to get off of a drug? Evelyn
