[flordahboi]

well, i've been taking it for a week now. but since i've been taking it, i've been waking up REALLY early in the morning... falling asleep around 10, 11 at night and waking up from anywhere around 2:30 to 5:30 in the morning WIDE AWAKE. I dont understand why since they prescribe trazodone for people with insomnia? Also, should i even be taking trazodone for panick attacks? that's what i origionally went to the doctor for and he prescribes me an anti-depressant!?! anybody have any info for me? please?

[Psyched]

Florda,
Your doc prescribed you trazodone for panic attacks because it is one of its unlabeled uses. True enough, it is anti-depressant, but it can help with other things, i.e. panic attacks, insomnia, etc. Let me ask you this, WHEN are you taking it; how long before you're going to bed? It works best if you take it just before you plan on going to bed AND if you go to bed and try to fall asleep AS SOON AS you take it. I also want to stress that you not stop taking this med abruptly; you have to taper off of it. Oh, and by the way, it does take up to 2-3 weeks to start working, in case you didn't know. Hope this helps.

[flordahboi]

im on 100 mg.. only been takin it for a week. i lay down and go to bed as soon as i take it, i just end up waking up like 3 to 5 hours later wide awake... someone told me that if you're bipolar, trazodone can also act like a stimulant... i told my doctor i was diagnosed with bipolar disorder when he prescribed it to me too, but i didnt want to take any bipolar medication.. i was on seroquel before, but it made me WAY too tired.

[Psyched]

Florda,
Sorry to say, but you may just have to go back to the doctor and tell him what's going on. Maybe he can give you something else entirely or just give you something that will help you sleep that won't interfere with the trazodone. As I always encourage everyone to do in these cases, I think you need to be your own advocate and speak up to the doctor about what's happening. Doctors can only treat the symptoms patients give them so it's up to the patient to let the doctor know when things are or are not going right. I mean, it's your body after all and no one can tell you how you feel or don't feel. I'm sure after you talk with him, he'll at least look into other options for you. Good luck.

[Robert_325]

Originally Posted by flordahboi

im on 100 mg.. only been takin it for a week. i lay down and go to bed as soon as i take it, i just end up waking up like 3 to 5 hours later wide awake... someone told me that if you're bipolar, trazodone can also act like a stimulant... i told my doctor i was diagnosed with bipolar disorder when he prescribed it to me too, but i didnt want to take any bipolar medication.. i was on seroquel before, but it made me WAY too tired.

Psyched is right. You need to talk to the dr about this. If you have been taking trazodone for a week at 100mg doses it should be helping you get a night's sleep by now if it's working. Most people start out on a dose half that and it's working after a week to ten days. But you are at a high initial dose.

Normally as we take trazodone for a while the dose is increased up to the amount you are at. I have a HUGE tolerance to about any medication I take that affects sleep for sure. I had taken trazodone for quite some time before I ever got to a dose over 100mg. I was at 100mg for a long time. Definitely explain what is happening to your dr. You've got to let the dr know if you are having problems if you want him to be able to help you. God bless.