I have taken Ambien for about 13 or 14 years, and my doctor now wants to bring me off of it and start Trazodone. I am not happy about this. I have been up to the 12 MG tablet, now I am only using 5 MG, and will take a bit more if I am still not asleep a couple hours later. I have trouble cutting my mind off at night. I am scared not to take Ambien and not be able to sleep and be tired or fall asleep at work if I am not sleeping at night. Does anyone have an opinion of such a long history with Ambien versus starting Trazodone? Obviously, I have built up a tolerance to Ambien.
Trazodone - Stopping Ambien, starting Trazadone?
Question posted by VAGIRL77 on 17 April 2014
Last updated on 7 September 2020 by Lillybug123
6 Answers
Lillybug123
8 Sep 2020
I have taken Trazodone for many 200mg. I also rake 9mg of melatonin. Has worked for me.
IronMike
29 Nov 2017
I was suffering depression and started on LexaPro and Ambien. The Ambien worked getting to sleep but not staying asleep for more than 4 or 5 hours. First I studied sleep hygene/CBT for sleep. ie. - Dark room, cool, no cell phones, no TV in bedroom, no alcohol. This helped. Then I started listening to Youtube videos about meditation and hypnoses for sleep (Michael Sealey). this helped also. Finally I switch to Trazadone and it lasts 7 hours of peaceful sleep. I started with 50 mg then cut it to 25 mg 1/2 hour before sleep. I also read in bed for about 1/2 hour which also helps. My opinion is Trazadone works better than Ambien and since it is not a Class 4 control substance, it is easier to get large prescriptions. With my insurance the scirpt costs $5. But do yourself a favor and improve your sleep hygiene with CBT in addition to the meds.
conduit7
18 July 2017
Have taken trazadone for 29 yrs. Works best with small amount of food like applesauce. Everyone is different as how you metabolize meds. I take 1 hr before bed. Can take up to 4 hrs to work on some people. Takes some trial to see what works for you. Most Doctors start with 50, can go as high as 300. Took a break from trazadone and tried Ambien built up tolerance quickly, 5 hrs to work, back on trazadone.
painbecomesme
27 April 2014
I took 50mg first night didnt work... after 2hrs I took Ambien. 2nd night 100mg 2hrs later nothing... took Ambien. I have been in alot of pain and to avoid taking narcs at night I just try and sleep. Gonna try again tonight and see where it goes.
Inactive
29 April 2014
Try 150-200 mg trazodone about an hour before ready to sleep.
painbecomesme
30 April 2014
I have chronic migraines and it seems to be making them worse
Inactive
1 May 2014
Trazodone does cause headaches for some folks, but subsides after awhile of using it. Do you take medication for your migraines?
painbecomesme
1 May 2014
I have been on over 40 different meds with no luck. I spent over month in a head pain clinic.
VAGIRL77
1 May 2014
Wow, that is horrible! I also get migraines but mine are mostly under control now and to get one is very rare. I have been on Topamax for about 5 years and it is a wonderful medication. If you have been on that many meds for your migraines, I'm sure you've tried that one too. I'm sorry!
painbecomesme
2 May 2014
Oh yes. I've tried it several times. Thanks tho!
Inactive
22 June 2014
How about taking something for pain, so you can sleep?
painbecomesme
23 June 2014
I have been trying taking a pain pill about an hour before bed... then ambien and still nothing... I am 8 days up right now. I am so tired I dont know what to do or where to go from here.
Inactive
23 June 2014
Hi painbecomesme,
I am so sorry you have to endure all. I have chronic pain and try not to take my pain pills a few hrs before bed as some pain medication cause insomnia. If you take narcotic pain meds that could be why you stay awake as well ambien does cause rebound insomnia.
Try to Hang in there with the trazodone as at times it takes a few weeks to work if taken every night, you can take up to 400mg.
I wish you well and hope you soon can get some much needed sleep.
May God bless you,
pamee
Inactive
24 June 2014
Sorry things are not working and I think 400 trazadone is a
Ot only a dr should recommend that. Hope your pain is gone and you got sleep.
Inactive
19 April 2014
Hello VAgirl,
I took ambien for many years along with trazodone and now I only take trazodone and it helps a great deal with sleep. However, on ocassion if I have a real restless night I will take an ambien with my trazodone, but that's not often. Try not to be scared as your body will adjust soon. How many milligrams is your trazodone?
I wish you well,
pamee
VAGIRL77
21 April 2014
I haven't started the Trazodone yet. I was hoping to hear from people that possibly made the switch from Ambien to Trazodone and what MG they were started on. I take around 5-7 mg Ambien per night. I have trouble shutting my mind down to fall asleep which is why I still take Ambien. Will Trazodone do the same to help me fall asleep quickly? I am supposed to see him Friday to go over my concerns.
painbecomesme
23 April 2014
I am just like you. I have been on Ambien for the same amount of time and I just took my first 50mg Trazodone tap 5 min ago then decided to look it up... go figure... as of late my Ambien hasn't been working, so today my doctor decided that we would see how this works. Logging off now to lay down... we will see how it works.
fibrofriendwanda19
24 April 2014
I have fibromyliga and sleep disorder,taking Ambien 10 mg for 7 yrs now,want to go off ,need ansers to help thx WCP
VAGIRL77
24 April 2014
I had old Trazodone from two years ago and I decided I would try it. I took 100 mg the last 3 nights and it is working fairly well. I do get drowsy but it doesn't have the benefit of making me go to sleep really fast. I don't know if the dosage I'm trying is correct - shame on me for picking an amount. My apt to talk to the doctor is today. I will let you know how it turns out and keep you posted on the Traz. Ambien free since Monday!
fibrofriendwanda19
25 April 2014
I am having problems with my insurance co. paying for Ambien,something about FDA recommending so and so? So let me know about Trazodone.
Inactive
25 April 2014
I have been taking trazodone for approxmately 15 yrs. I started out on 75 mg. I now take between 200-300 mg. I usually take it about 45 min to an hour and a half before bed as it takes awhile to kick in. I find it to work much better than ambien.
VAGIRL77
25 April 2014
The FDA came up with recommendations for men and women - men can get 10 mg and women are only supposed to take 5 mg. Every 6 months or so, I had to have the office call my insurance to do a pre-authorization to cover it.
I also found a very small local pharmacy that would cover a 30 day 10MG RX for $13. It may be worth checking into. If you would like to email me your address, I can give you the pharmacy name. They may do a mail delivery.
VAGIRL77
25 April 2014
Pamee - I am 4 nights strong at 100mg Traz. Doc said I could go up more if desperate but it would make me very tired the next day. He didn't want me to touch Ambien for at least 6 months and I'm going to do my very best! I have been having pretty rough headaches with Traz but he said that could be withdrawal from Ambien after so long - your body becomes dependent on it. I have my mind set now after I let my panic die down.
Inactive
26 April 2014
Trazodone can at times cause headaches. Good you're off the ambien as it is habit forming and can cause panic when coming off of them that may last for a couple of weeks.
greeneyes52
11 July 2018
HEY I have been on Trazodone for 3 years, 50mg.and it's the best!! Puts me right to sleep, comparing to Ambien which I was on for 1 year 30 mg.and you must take it on an empty stomach to get the fast benefits. I go for the Trazodone myself. Good LUCK!!
kaismama
17 April 2014
You should never have been allowed to be ambien that long. Its a short term solution. Trazodone will help you probably better then ambien.
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ambien, insomnia, trazodone, doctor, tablet
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