Trazadone, Remeron Not Working Well.

[asdfghjkl]

I tried trazadone for sleep, as remeron was making me angry during the day. I am still extremely ill. I was up hallucinating and paranoid for the entre night. I was so afraid someone was coming in my window. I was having really high heart rate. It was just horrible. I wont go into any details of the hallucinations, but they were gory. I was scared, but had no control. I just waited for time to pass, ad fell asleep in the morning for a couple hours. I am so scared of medication now. I could stay on remeron, but the discomfort of the anger from flashbacks is so uncomfortable. I see a trauma therapist once a week, but need to take a medication to sleep, as my anxiety and stress keeps me from falling asleep. I am going to the doctor tomorrow when I have strength, but I'm wondering if anyone knows of an effective sleep aid that actually relaxes the min rather than sending me into a psychoactive horror? My doctor asks me which medication I think I should have so any suggestions from experience is much appreciated.
does Prazosin help with the falling asleep?

Thank you kindly :)

 

[WillyKat]

The first meds I ever took were Trazadone and Wellbutrin. I'm pretty sure that the negative reaction I had was to the Wellbutrin. I've never heard of Remeron, so I can't help you there.

Everyone responds to meds differently. Obviously, one or both of these aren't working for you. It may take some time to find the right meds for you. The very next prescription was Serzone for me, which was great until it was pulled from the market. It was never quite so good again and I finally quit meds altogether over two years ago.

As for sleep in general, whether you use Trazadone or something else, search the forum and google for 'sleep hygiene'. There are some do's and don'ts regarding getting ready for sleep. For example, stay clear of violent or scary movies and such before bed. Read a book instead, preferable something that isn't violent or triggering for you.

Hope that helps; hang in there.

 

[asdfghjkl]

Thanks for your response. I will look up sleep hygiene for sure. It was defiantly the trazadone because I started hallucinating about an hour after taking it. Last night was the first time I took it. It made my nose plugged as well so I had to breathe through my mouth. I'm going to go back to remeron tonight. I tried trazadone because I felt that remeron was inducing agitation. That is awesome you do not have to take meds. I really hope I can get there eventually :). I do not like them at all. It's just the current inability and fear of falling asleep is too much to battle without a sleep inducing med.

Thank you.

 

[WillyKat]

One thing I did which I do not advise is to quit meds w/o a doctor's supervision. Not a good idea at all.

And sometimes I wonder if it was the right thing to do at all. There are meds that deal with depression, those that deal with anxiety. PTSD has both and more, so it may be nearly impossible to treat with drugs alone.

Meds and talk therapy is a good combination.

 

[asdfghjkl]

Good advice, I agree completely. I have also come off of meds without aid of a doctor, and it was a horrible experience. Was administered over 6 different meds, about 15 pills a day. I came to the conclusion there was more to the full recovery than the meds. Things are far to complex with ptsd to use only one method of healing. My situation got better after leaving psychiatric treatment, entering trauma therapy/counseling and keeping medication to a reasonable amount where I can still function. I also do other methods of therapy such as working out/meditation/yoga/nutrition/ Today was a rough day, and last night was scary, but this will pass. Thanks for your help.

 

[WillyKat]

And sometimes we forget to give ourselves credit for the self-caring things we do. Your other methods of therapy for example, good choices.

 

[Rissy215]

I'm on remeron and when I first started it it seemed to help with sleep a lot but a few months into it I'm having hallucinations, horrid nightmares, and more anxiety at night than I did before. We're trying cutting my remeron dose in half starting tonight since it's actually supposed to be more anxiolytic and sedative at lower doses than higher. You may just need to work with your doc on trying different doses of it or combining it with something like atarax.

 

[Deleted member 1860]

If chemically imbalanced depression isn't your issue, then antidepressants aren't the answer. I'm not surprised that you're having issues with Remeron. It helps many with sleep issues, but I didn't sleep at all while I was on it. I don't do well on any antidepressants. Apparently my seratonin and norepinephrine levels are fine?

I have issues with my mind not shutting down and thought rumination. I take Geodon and it works well. It is supposedly short acting so I am supposed to take it twice a day, but I am comatose 3 hours after a dose so only take it in the evening. I am able to get relief for about 24 hours but can feel the effects wearing off when it's time to take my next dose. It's not a sleep med, but it helps quiet my mind.

 

[Shulamit]

I've been on Seroquel/Quetiapine for almost 10 years for insomnia and it's been useful. I am groggy in the mornings but I take a higher dose currently due to anxiety. When I took my normal dose previously (only 100mg) I didn't feel groggy in the morning. I never noticed any side effects aside from that. I'm currently having some trouble that wakes me up at night, but the quetiapine basically puts me back to sleep fast enough that I can still function the next day.

I won't suggest a medication - I think your doctor should really be deciding that - but I can share my experience with this medication. It's the only sleeping medication I have been on long-term.

 

[asdfghjkl]

Thank you all for the suggestions. I am going to stay on Remeron, as I have been on it for eleven months while making progress with work and recovery. I believe I am actually allergic to this Trazodone after reading the pamphlet I got with prescription. Within the last two hours the sickness faded and I can think clearly . Defiantly going to talk to my doctor about what happened...scary stuff.

 

[gone]

I also had a horrible experience with Trazadone, which put my body to sleep (paralyzed), while my brain was WIDE awake. Never took that again. I currently take Prazosin for CPTSD nightmares. Slowly worked my way up from 1mg to 4mg dose until nightmares mostly stopped. Sometimes a few bust through, but it's now easier to fall back to sleep afterwards.

 

[asdfghjkl]

Wow, I'm sorry to hear that. It sounds scary. I slept like a log last night after reinstating remeron. I have the occasional nightmare as well, and wake up in fear. However, It is much better to deal with than the LSD acid trip I went on with trazodone. It makes me feel better I'm not alone with a bad reaction! Glad Prazosin works for you.