I had mild unsteady sensation in legs shortly after taking 50mg trazodone before bedtime. No problem during day. Didn't help with sleep much so increased to 100mg after a few months. Noticed right away an effect on my walking. Calves felt heavy, tight. Occasional tremors (if that is the best description) while walking, a bit of a jump or hop or misstep, very brief. Eventually started using a cane, especially for smooth surfaces where walking felt very insecure, almost like walking on ice and had fear of slipping. No problem walking on rougher surfaces such as grass, carpeting, mulch, etc. Continued to take 100mg trazodone despite the side effects since it was helping more with sleep at night and energy during the day. After a few months reported side effects to doctor and stopped taking. Side effects have not gone away. Since I've starting hiking in the past year or so, I've noticed I especially have difficulty and anxiety walking downhill, even using trekking poles and wearing hiking shoes.
Has anyone else had similar reactions to trazodone? Do the side effects ever go away?
Trazodone side effect ongoing after no longer taking - ever go away?
Question posted by NeedMoreSleep on 17 July 2022
Last updated on 18 July 2022
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Answers
Hi NeedMoreSleep . About 10 years ago i was put on 10mg Ambien , take a half hour before bedtime and then trazodone 50 mg when i went to bed. I did this for about 3 months and had to many side effects , so i just tried the trazodone and still side effects . Made an appointment with Doctor and he put me on Hydroxyzine 25 mg for sleep and anxiety , i increased to 50 mg after a year . I have been on this dosage since. The doctor put me on Hydroxyzine and told me it was safe for the elderly and he was right , no side effects . You have to start with a low dosage and increase until it fits your sleeping . The side effects from trazodone went away after a month . I am 70 years old and still working . Thanks to good sleeping . Good luck , you will make it thru this .
Thanks for your answer. I will discuss Hydroxyzine with my doctor. Currently taking cbd gummies with thc for sleep, but not working as well as trazodone, and need 3 or 4 to get me through the night. side effects of trazodone continued for many months so went back on again, so I could at least get some sleep. I cut back after awhile and took a combination of one trazodone and two or more gummies spread throughout the night. Now only taking gummies with mixed results.
Related topics
Further information
- Trazodone uses and safety info
- Trazodone prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Trazodone (detailed)
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