Trazodone and postural hypotension

[digger]

I'm seeing my GP tomorrow but just wondering about other's experiences of this and how they've managed it.

I'm on 200mg of trazodone at night. I've been on it at this dose for about four or five months I think, but on all the doses leading up to it to, postural hypotension (blood pressure drops when you move from lying/sitting to standing) is something I've had to be mindful of on it. Mostly it's only been an issue early morning or if I've had to get up through the night for some reason.

Up to now, I haven't actually passed out with it, but last night I did, when I felt it coming on I tried to sit down but ended up blacking out on the way down, and to be honest it's scared me quite a bit.

I have a bit of a fever at the moment as I've not been well and think this may have contributed to it, but curious if anyone else has experienced this symptom getting worse over time? Or if anyone has any tips that might help lessen it?

I really don't want to have to stop this drug. I've tried several different meds over the years and this is the first one that's actually made a difference.

 

[MoonShiner]

Hmm. I can't take more than 150mg or I get too loopy to even walk properly. It may be that your dose is just high enough where this is going to be a thing. You could try eating something at the same time as taking it maybe. I think your best shot at resolution is talking to your doctor.

However, I'm not sure a GP is going to have enough knowledge to say anything useful. Is there a psychiatrist you could talk to?

 

[Sideways]

Postural hypotension is something that's come up for me in the past trying different meds. The way I had to manage it was to change the dose of other medications that I took which also effected my blood pressure, to reduce the cumulative effect on my BP. Don't know of that helps, but if you do take other meds, talk to your GP about side effects because a lot of meds can effect our BP without it being the reason for taking them, and we often don't tend to notice.

 

[digger]

Thanks both.

@MoonShiner - I don't have a psychiatrist, my GP prescribes my meds. This is not uncommon in the UK. Luckily the issue seems to confine itself to night/early morning, I'm not overly affected by it through the day, but I am considering coming back down to 150. Taking it with food isn't really an option as I have to take it immediately before going to bed, but thanks for the suggestion.

@Ragdoll Circus - the only other med that I'm on is esomeprazole. I've had a look this morning and it doesn't look like that would affect it.
Interestingly though, I got some blood test results back this week too and my ferritin levels have dropped again, not quite to anaemic level, but it's low, so that's maybe contributing. Back on iron tablets.