Elisabeth123: Is Trazadone Stopping My Natural Sleep?

[Elisabeth123]

I recently completed a 14-month taper off of 30 mg of Flurazepam in July 2023 (after more than 10 years of use) and did a quick taper off of 6.25 mg of Ambien in October 2023 (after 6 months of use). I started taking 125 mg of Trazadone to help me sleep during my Flurazepam taper. I’ve been on Trazadone for 3 years and I’d like to taper it because it’s doing nothing for sleep. It’s like an empty pill that I keep taking because if I stop taking it, I’m immediately back into sleepless nights. I need some semblance of sleep to work and support my family. I am desperately hoping to get my natural sleep back after tapering Ambien and Flurazepam this year. Is Trazadone holding back my sleep? It should be helping it but I think I’ve built a tolerance to it, plus I’m likely in benzo induced insomnia. Does anyone have any experience with being trazadone tolerance? How hard was it to taper off of trazadone? 

[LotusRising]

Hi @Elisabeth123

 

Welcome to SA. Could you please help us out by creating a signature with your drug history? See How to Create a Signature

 

Personally, I don't have experience tapering trazodone, but I did come off a benzo so I can relate to the insomnia issues. Are you currently having any other symptoms from your recent tapers? We typically recommend holding off on a new taper until reaching a place of stabilization.

 

You could try doing a site search to seek out others who have tapered trazodone  How to Do a Site Search on Surviving Antidepressants

 

We recommend tapering by no more than 10% of your previous dose each month Why taper by 10%.

 

I'm including some links that might help you.

 

The Windows and Waves Pattern of Stabilization

 

Keep it simple, slow and stable

 

Stability

 

Tips for tapering trazodone

 

 

 

I've given you a lot of information here, hopefully not too much! Please reach out if you have any questions.

 

And again, welcome  

 

Lotus Rising