a little meds question.

maglets
maglets Member Posts: 2,576 Member
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
I started taking 1mg of ativan to help with sleep. I have been fighting on and off for 5 years now. My doc wants me off the ativan becuase it is addictive...well if it is...then I must be addicted because I have taken it for so long.
She wants me try an anti-depressant called Trazodone...I have 50 mg. so slowly come off the ativan and use the trazodone.

Does anyone have experience with this drug??? druggist said nausea...now that is a state we all look forward to....NOT NOT NOT. I also take effexor as an antidepressant so this one is supposed to be a sleeping pill.

thanks so much

mags
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Comments

  • Sundanceh
    Sundanceh Member Posts: 4,392 Member
    #2
    Lunesta
    Hi, Mags

    Don't know the Trazadone. When I needed to take something for sleep, I would take (as needed) Lunesta 3mg tablet. It worked pretty good.

    They said it was addictive to, but I always stopped cold turkey with no issues. I just don't get addicted to pills of any kind though.

    Lunesta is effective...I took Ambien too, not the CR...almost tried that one but they gave me the Lunesta instead and it did work.

    Something to consider.

    -Craig :)
  • Patteee
    Patteee Member Posts: 945
    #3
    years ago used trazadone to
    years ago used trazadone to counter prozac- insomonia can be such a problem when taking anti-depressants. I totally loved trazadone! It worked very well- the dose was difficult to get adjusted, 50mg would leave me so groggy during the day- I eventually got down to half of a half pill. I would say I was unusal, most people need at least 50 if not more.
  • John23
    John23 Member Posts: 2,122 Member
    #4
    Side effects, interactions and withdrawal symptoms?
    I use the following website to research any med. The people posting
    at that forum are just like you or me; they have nothing to gain by
    giving a good or bad report.

    Use the side effects they mention as a guide for what to expect
    from the med you are prescribed. The posters tell you what the
    manufacturers and doctors don't. Look for "themes", repetition
    of bad effects.

    Trazodone

    Ask A Patient .com


    Good luck.
  • P_I_T_A
    P_I_T_A Member Posts: 133
    #5
    How long have you been taking Ativan?
    I was prescribed it by my onc. to help with my nausea. All it really does is knock me out. So, I only take it for a couple of days during treatment. I'm not experiencing any addictive issues with it yet. Actually, I don't like being knocked out like that and have relied more on the Compazine. So, I can take it or leave it really. As far as sleeping, I just go with what my body tells me. Of course, I was up most last night watching crap tv.

    -DJ
  • maglets
    maglets Member Posts: 2,576 Member
    #6
    John23 said:

    Side effects, interactions and withdrawal symptoms?
    I use the following website to research any med. The people posting
    at that forum are just like you or me; they have nothing to gain by
    giving a good or bad report.

    Use the side effects they mention as a guide for what to expect
    from the med you are prescribed. The posters tell you what the
    manufacturers and doctors don't. Look for "themes", repetition
    of bad effects.

    Trazodone

    Ask A Patient .com


    Good luck.

    thank you
    thank you everybody....that really helps. I think antidepressants must be hard to get off too....I know if I forget an effexor....by about 5pm i start hearing strange sounds roaring in my ears.

    mags
  • maglets
    maglets Member Posts: 2,576 Member
    #7
    P_I_T_A said:

    How long have you been taking Ativan?
    I was prescribed it by my onc. to help with my nausea. All it really does is knock me out. So, I only take it for a couple of days during treatment. I'm not experiencing any addictive issues with it yet. Actually, I don't like being knocked out like that and have relied more on the Compazine. So, I can take it or leave it really. As far as sleeping, I just go with what my body tells me. Of course, I was up most last night watching crap tv.

    -DJ

    Hi DJ i have taken the
    Hi DJ i have taken the ativan regularly for at least 4 years....i am a terrible sleeper and I have definitely come to depend on it.

    I didn't mind not sleeping with chemo...which I have done 3 times but now for just a couple of months i would sorta like to feel like a semi-normal person....hahahah

    mags
  • HollyID
    HollyID Member Posts: 946 Member
    #8
    Hi Mags
    I used to work at a juvenile correctional facility as a nurse.

    The psychiatrist prescribed trazodone a lot to the kids there to help them sleep. Some would take 50mg, while some took 250mg to sleep. Trazodone is a very good drug though, and the kids didn't have the sluggish feelings that a lot of adults end up with. He found that he could wean them off the trazodone and start giving them melatonin.

    Melatonin is a hormone our brain makes naturally. It was what told us that it was time to go to bed. Unfortunately, as we get older, our brain makes less and less melatonin, hence the sleepless nights. You can buy it over the counter for pennies. He'd prescribe anywhere from 3mg to 9mg and the kids slept just as well during the night.
  • maglets
    maglets Member Posts: 2,576 Member
    #9
    HollyID said:

    Hi Mags
    I used to work at a juvenile correctional facility as a nurse.

    The psychiatrist prescribed trazodone a lot to the kids there to help them sleep. Some would take 50mg, while some took 250mg to sleep. Trazodone is a very good drug though, and the kids didn't have the sluggish feelings that a lot of adults end up with. He found that he could wean them off the trazodone and start giving them melatonin.

    Melatonin is a hormone our brain makes naturally. It was what told us that it was time to go to bed. Unfortunately, as we get older, our brain makes less and less melatonin, hence the sleepless nights. You can buy it over the counter for pennies. He'd prescribe anywhere from 3mg to 9mg and the kids slept just as well during the night.

    oh thank you Holly....that
    oh thank you Holly....that is so helpful. glad to hear from you....that really helps.

    mags
  • Shayenne
    Shayenne Member Posts: 2,342
    #10
    HollyID said:

    Hi Mags
    I used to work at a juvenile correctional facility as a nurse.

    The psychiatrist prescribed trazodone a lot to the kids there to help them sleep. Some would take 50mg, while some took 250mg to sleep. Trazodone is a very good drug though, and the kids didn't have the sluggish feelings that a lot of adults end up with. He found that he could wean them off the trazodone and start giving them melatonin.

    Melatonin is a hormone our brain makes naturally. It was what told us that it was time to go to bed. Unfortunately, as we get older, our brain makes less and less melatonin, hence the sleepless nights. You can buy it over the counter for pennies. He'd prescribe anywhere from 3mg to 9mg and the kids slept just as well during the night.

    I Still
    Take Ativans, but only when needed. I really try to just fall asleep on my own. I just started reading the Percy Jones series of books, so I also try to read before I fall asleep...watching TV before bed isn't good, it's something that stimulates your brain where it will take longer to fall asleep. I have never heard of Trazodone, I remember my doctor saying she really hates to prescribe sleeping pills, because they are so addicting, and for me to take Benadryl, which will help, but I can't take that stuff, it makes my skin crawl, or itch, I haven't taken ativan all week, I feel once it's out of your system, if you can try a week without anything, I sleep better now...just experiment, by even reading, and maybe having some chamomille tea.

    But I did also see through watching Dr. Oz, like Holly said, Melatonin was a nice natural pill to take that is supposed to help you sleep as well. I may even try it for those nights I feel wired out during chemo. :)

    Hugsss!
    ~Donna
  • John23
    John23 Member Posts: 2,122 Member
    #11
    HollyID said:

    Hi Mags
    I used to work at a juvenile correctional facility as a nurse.

    The psychiatrist prescribed trazodone a lot to the kids there to help them sleep. Some would take 50mg, while some took 250mg to sleep. Trazodone is a very good drug though, and the kids didn't have the sluggish feelings that a lot of adults end up with. He found that he could wean them off the trazodone and start giving them melatonin.

    Melatonin is a hormone our brain makes naturally. It was what told us that it was time to go to bed. Unfortunately, as we get older, our brain makes less and less melatonin, hence the sleepless nights. You can buy it over the counter for pennies. He'd prescribe anywhere from 3mg to 9mg and the kids slept just as well during the night.

    Of interest?

    Of interest?

    Both Melatonin and Serotonin are made by the liver, etc., and are
    depleted when the liver is being taxed by a burden of toxins.

    (In TCM, symptoms of depression, anxiety, anger, etc., along with
    heart-rhythm problems, are treated by helping the liver generate the
    needed chemicals)

    Taking supplements only causes the organ responsible for what you
    are trying to replace, to have a better reason for not trying to replace it.

    The synthesized medications are foreign to our body, and are treated
    as toxins by the liver and kidneys, furthering the problem.

    "Things you didn't want to know?"
  • coloCan
    coloCan Member Posts: 1,944 Member
    #12
    John23 said:

    Of interest?

    Of interest?

    Both Melatonin and Serotonin are made by the liver, etc., and are
    depleted when the liver is being taxed by a burden of toxins.

    (In TCM, symptoms of depression, anxiety, anger, etc., along with
    heart-rhythm problems, are treated by helping the liver generate the
    needed chemicals)

    Taking supplements only causes the organ responsible for what you
    are trying to replace, to have a better reason for not trying to replace it.

    The synthesized medications are foreign to our body, and are treated
    as toxins by the liver and kidneys, furthering the problem.

    "Things you didn't want to know?"

    Been taking Ativan to try to sleep
    since around June when I switched over from Xanax. Take usually 1 mg at night but at times 1/2 to 1 mg more.Still don't sleep more than a few hours.
    Trazadone is good for sleeping tho also an antidepressent. Watch for weight gain and dry mouth.....Steve
  • maglets
    maglets Member Posts: 2,576 Member
    #13
    John23 said:

    Of interest?

    Of interest?

    Both Melatonin and Serotonin are made by the liver, etc., and are
    depleted when the liver is being taxed by a burden of toxins.

    (In TCM, symptoms of depression, anxiety, anger, etc., along with
    heart-rhythm problems, are treated by helping the liver generate the
    needed chemicals)

    Taking supplements only causes the organ responsible for what you
    are trying to replace, to have a better reason for not trying to replace it.

    The synthesized medications are foreign to our body, and are treated
    as toxins by the liver and kidneys, furthering the problem.

    "Things you didn't want to know?"

    oh good grief that doesn't
    oh good grief that doesn't sound good John and

    Steve??/ weight gain??? good grief....

    mags
  • luv3jay
    luv3jay Member Posts: 533 Member
    #14
    I used to take Trazadone,
    I used to take Trazadone, but that was for depression and didn't help me sleep much. That was years ago. I take Ambien now to help me sleep and Lexapro for anxiety. I hear Lunesta is really good for sleep disorders, but I haven't had that.

    -Sheri
  • Kathleen808
    Kathleen808 Member Posts: 2,342 Member
    #15
    Mags
    Hi Mags,
    So good to see you around. :) I am not speaking from experience but people close to me have used Melatonin to help with sleep. It is in the health food store and it is the natural element that helps us feel sleepy (over simplified). I've heard it is very effective.

    Best to you.

    Aloha,
    Katheen
  • maglets
    maglets Member Posts: 2,576 Member
    #16
    Kathleen808 said:

    Mags
    Hi Mags,
    So good to see you around. :) I am not speaking from experience but people close to me have used Melatonin to help with sleep. It is in the health food store and it is the natural element that helps us feel sleepy (over simplified). I've heard it is very effective.

    Best to you.

    Aloha,
    Katheen

    good grief
    I surely sound like charlie brown??? or lucy....who was it that said good grief????

    nice to see you too Kathleen....how is that boy of yours doing?

    hugs, mags
  • just4Brooks
    just4Brooks Member Posts: 980 Member
    #17
    maglets said:

    good grief
    I surely sound like charlie brown??? or lucy....who was it that said good grief????

    nice to see you too Kathleen....how is that boy of yours doing?

    hugs, mags

    I was on Trazodone for sleep...
    It worked great!!!


    Brooks
  • maglets
    maglets Member Posts: 2,576 Member
    #18
    just4Brooks said:

    I was on Trazodone for sleep...
    It worked great!!!


    Brooks

    oh thank you Brooks.....how
    oh thank you Brooks.....how long where on it?
  • lcarper2
    lcarper2 Member Posts: 635 Member
    #19
    maglets said:

    oh thank you Brooks.....how
    oh thank you Brooks.....how long where on it?

    sleep
    they gave me ambien cr and I would wake up in the middle of the night in the living room stripped naked lol lol now if I were 20 that would be cute but I don't think there is anything cute about me naked I scare myself if I look in the mirror lol I take the pm they advertise on TV works great...and I stay dressed all night...
  • mommyof2kds
    mommyof2kds Member Posts: 519
    #20
    Love the trazadone.

    Love the trazadone.
  • KATE58
    KATE58 Member Posts: 299
    #21
    mommyof2kds said:

    Love the trazadone.

    Love the trazadone.

    I have been taking 1 mg of
    I have been taking 1 mg of ativan (lorazapam) for 4 yrs now ,sometimes 2 mgs a night
    it does not make me sleepy ,it just helps me relax so i can sleep.
    i usually sleep 7 hrs straight,when i take it .
    sometimes i have forgotten to take it and i have trouble sleeping,
    but no withdraw or any other problems from not taking it.
    my amswer if my doctor said he wanted me off it because i might become addicted??!!.....
    I HAVE STAGE IV CANCER,WHO CARES IF I AM ADDICTED TO AN ANTI ANXIETY DRUG???!!!!
    ativan also helps with nausea and helps calm muscle cramps.
    it is in the valium family and relatively mild
    this other drug they want to give you sounds a bit heavy

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