Jt713: Trazodone Adverse Reaction

[Jt713]

Hello,

 

I’m new to this forum, looking for some advice / insight. I had a bad COVID infection back in July of 2023 that created sleep disturbances and neurological symptoms that lead me down the road of psychotropic drugs. 2 short stints with Klonopin (shy of 3 weeks) and Valium (about 3 weeks), both at low doses and eventually Trazodone for insomnia that I’ve been on for 4 months everyday at varying doses but generally 100mg the vast majority of nights. I have been off of benzos since November 21st 2023. While it’s possible I could still be experiencing withdrawal on that end, I’m beginning to become suspicious that my problems are more tied to the nightly use of Trazodone. It’s extremely hard to unpack what is what but ever since I started this medication, I’ve had a rash on my face, have a persistent stuffy nose, feel depressed all the time, and rapid cycle in a very consistent pattern between depression and feeling VERY stimulated, the point of masking the depression and feeling like a “rush” of chemicals is coursing through my brain. On paper it might sound manic, but it’s not euphoric at all. It’s terrifying and it’s usually accompanied by severe anxiety, stiff muscles, joint pain and transient itching, pins and needles all over my body. There’s also the element of stress / trauma being in this state for so long that I’m also having difficulty unpacking how much that is adding to these mood swings. Long story short, I’m starting to think I’m having an adverse reaction / possibly even an allergy to Trazodone. Also, I can fall asleep now without this drug but I still take it for fear of withdrawal. Problem is, I feel so awful on this drug already, I’m starting to wonder if this is a case that warrants immediate discontinuation? I feel like the drug I’ve been dependent on for sleep is poisoning me, daily. So what’s the best path? Keep poisoning myself with a slow taper? Or stop?

[LotusRising]

Hi @Jt713,

 

Welcome to SA,

 

We are a peer-run volunteer site dedicated to a harm reduction tapering approach in an effort to minimize withdrawal symptoms. As you may have already read, we suggest tapering by no more than 10% of your most recent dose each month. See  Why taper by 10%.

 

Could you help us out by adding a signature. This will ensure your drug history appears at the bottom of every post, making it more efficient for those trying to assist. 

 

I'm not as familiar with trazadone as I am with other antidepressants, but it sounds to me like these could all be side effects from the drug. 

 

49 minutes ago, Jt713 said:

nd rapid cycle in a very consistent pattern between depression and feeling VERY stimulated, the point of masking the depression and feeling like a “rush” of chemicals is coursing through my brain.

 

Could you explain what you mean about this following a pattern? What time do you take it?

 

It sounds like you were on benzos for about 6 weeks? How did you feel after tapering? What was your taper like?

 

Since you mentioned you can fall asleep without it, does this mean you skip some nights? We do not recommend this, since it can be confusing for your CNS.

 

FYI: here's a link to tapering trazadone:

 

Once we have some more information, we can assist you further.

 

Please post any updates or questions related to your specific situation right here in your thread. It's helpful to keep everything related to your tapering journey in one spot

[Jt713]

Hello, again I'm new here and wanted to provide an update on this. I'm currently at 8mg (from 150) of Trazodone and holding. I've been in a good deal of distress for months and starting to wonder if it's time for me to jump. I think I'm experiencing both an adverse reaction to this drug and withdrawal that has been more difficult because of a short stint with benzos for insomnia. It seems like no matter what dosage I'm on and or how long I hold, I feel horrible. I've had several doctors and psychiatrists look at me like I'm crazy when I tell them how small of a dose of Trazodone I'm on. And they all say I can just stop, but don't seem to acknowledge how destabilizing it is to make dosage drops. Seems they're more in the camp of Trazodone being less associated with protracted withdrawal. Being this low now, I'm starting to get very fatigued with the process of cutting the pills. My quality of life is horrible. I have bad akasthisia, am always dysphoric, experiencing waves of varying degrees of depression and DP, worry incessantly and feel like these drugs have permanently changed my life. I'm at a point where I figure if I'm going to suffer at any dose of this medicine and I'm down to 8mg, why not just suffer without it? Am i making it worse by continuing to put it in my body and not letting my brain heal from a baseline? Not sure what to do. Need guidance. I've been holding at 8mg for a week now. At the end of my rope but don't want to end up in an acute care facility either. 

[Jt713]

@LotusRisingAny help would be appreciated. Not sure if my posts are being read / reviewed?

[LotusRising]

Hi @Jt713

 

The site has been very busy and I didn't see this post until just now.

 

I'm just looking at your signature - when did you reinstate 25mg of trazadone?

 

You also mentioned you began to destabilize again. When did this start?

 

[Jt713]

@LotusRising that was back around early July (25mg). I’ve made it down to 7mg currently. I’ve never felt real stable on this drug even holding at varying doses. That’s the issue. Starting to wonder if it’s time to let go. It’s very difficult to know what to do at these minuscule doses. 

[LotusRising]

14 hours ago, Jt713 said:

that was back around early July (25mg).

Hi @Jt713, wondering how long you held at that dose? Stabilization can take quite some time, longer than we think sometimes.

 

14 hours ago, Jt713 said:

’ve never felt real stable on this drug even holding at varying doses. That’s the issue.

Do you mean even when you first started it? Had your benzo WD symptoms stopped? Wondering why you think you're having adverse reactions?

 

On 8/20/2024 at 9:02 AM, Jt713 said:

worry incessantly and feel like these drugs have permanently changed my life

I want to reassure you that this isn't permanent. I know it can feel that way, but symptoms will improve with time.

[peaceandlove]

Hello your story & symptoms sound so similar to mine 

[Jt713]

@LotusRisingWhen I went back to 25mg I probably stayed there for about a week before making cuts again. Instead of cutting 1mg everyday, I began cutting every 2-5 days depending on how I felt (keeping in mind I've never felt normal on this med). From there I was able to get all the way to where I am now (7mg). Has it been easy? Not even remotely. To answer your second question, yes, I've felt horrible on Trazodone from the very first dose. At higher doses I was having what could have been perceived as "manic" like symptoms. I now know that I was experiencing severe akathisia and still do to some degree. I was also having severe muscle and joint issues, perceptual problems, etc. Many symptoms began to resolve at lower doses. Where it gets tricky is... sorting out the aftermath of benzo withdrawal (though I've been off benzos since last November), the reactions I was having to Trazodone and the initial neurological sequelae of covid. My intuition is that benzo withdrawal is likely off the table now. I was on them for a short period of time at low doses and have been off for 10 months. I think covid primed my nervous system to react adversly to psychotropic drugs and and the subsequent withdrawal of each drug has been harder than it would have been pre-covid. Trazodone is typically not as hard to stop as most antidepressants when you look at the data. However, I'm clearly having a very difficult time getting off. It seems like what's left over is this sort of depression/dysphoria/derealization state, issues with sleep and a sense of terror that's really hard to explain. All that being said, I can still function well enough to do what I need to do with kids, family etc but it's deeply challenging. Where I am right now is this kind of limbo where I don't know if it's time to jump or not. Is the tiny dose relevant anymore? Am I underestimating the drug? Is my fear about stopping delaying my recovery as I continue to put this poison in my body? I know you can't answer a lot of this but I really just need some guidance on how to know when to just stop and deal with the consequences until they resolve. Going from 150mg to 7mg over 7 months seems like a point to consider stopping but I also don't want to end up at the hospital again... I was on Trazodone 4 momths before I started tapering. 

[Jt713]

@LotusRisingI also wanted to add, I've got this weird head pressure "floaty" "nothingness" kind of thing going that I can't even explain properly, that seems to never go away. 

[LotusRising]

20 hours ago, Jt713 said:

've got this weird head pressure "floaty" "nothingness"

These feelings are both common and will resolve. 

 

20 hours ago, Jt713 said:

Is the tiny dose relevant anymore? Am I underestimating the drug? Is my fear about stopping delaying my recovery as I continue to put this poison in my body?

If it were me, I would continue tapering. I think you should never underestimate how strong these drugs can be, even at the lowest doses. This is when they can have the most impact. I don't think your fear is delaying your recovery. It's my feeling that the body/nervous system is always working toward homeostasis. You could argue that FULL healing won't happen until you're off the medication, but given your situation and destabilized state, I would encourage you to continue tapering. I know it's tedious, but erring on the side of caution seems prudent to me.

 

You might also read through the following to help you come to a decision:

 

 

[Jt713]

@LotusRisingThank you for your insight. Also curious about rapid tapering. Is there any benefit to rapid tapering at this point versus jumping? For example, If I dropped a milligram a day for 6 days to get to zero, have you seen or heard of this being a softer landing than jumping? I know it's fast but it's something I've been putting thought to just to get it overwith and deal with the aftermath as best I can.

[LotusRising]

2 minutes ago, Jt713 said:

For example, If I dropped a milligram a day for 6 days to get to zero, have you seen or heard of this being a softer landing than jumping?

It would be a softer landing than jumping altogether, but as I mentioned, these drugs can have a greater impact on lower doses. 

 

It's up to you, but let us know how it goes, whatever you decide. Here to support either way.

[Jt713]

@LotusRisingI will. If I’m being honest, this feels like I’m dying a slow death. I had no idea these drugs could be utterly debilitating. I almost wish there was a place I could go to do this last part. 

[LotusRising]

2 hours ago, Jt713 said:

If I’m being honest, this feels like I’m dying a slow death. I had no idea these drugs could be utterly debilitating. I almost wish there was a place I could go to do this last part. 

I know, I understand. I remember feeling this way too, but there isn't really anywhere to go. If you were to go to hospital, they would likely take you right off and replace it with something else.

 

I'm sorry, I wish there was a better answer. 

[Jt713]

@LotusRisingmade it down to 5mg 2 nights ago. My insomnia has been up and down (never great) but 48 hrs after making a 1mg drop I lost an entire night of sleep. And still don’t feel tired. Depression ratcheting up. Hopelessness and suicidal ideation also worsening. I just can’t believe I can’t get off this stuff. Does it make sense to just hold here for a while. I feel extremely unstable, and unsafe frankly. Getting panicky. 

[LotusRising]

1 hour ago, Jt713 said:

Does it make sense to just hold here for a while.

Yes, absolutely hold if you need to. If it's only been two days, you could also go back to your last dose. 

 

1 hour ago, Jt713 said:

I just can’t believe I can’t get off this stuff.

You will @Jt713. It sounds like you need some time to stabilize.

[Jt713]

@LotusRisingI've been noticing over the last few weeks that around 2:30-3pm everday, I'm considerably worse than between 6am-1pm. It's like clockwork. Every day. Trazodone has such a short half life, I feel like it's the part of the day where I don't have much in my system, especially on this tiny dose. What have you found helpful for people trying to get off these drugs that have shorter half lives? 

[Jt713]

@LotusRisingTo add to my last post, it feels like this weight comes over me where it's hard to muster up any motivation or desire to do anything other than distract myself. It's a feeling of complete emptiness. It's still there in the mornings but not as heavy. I feel like this is giving me a glimpse into what it's going to be like when I'm off...

[LotusRising]

@Jt713

 

What time do you take it?

[Jt713]

@LotusRising 8:45-9pm. Right at bedtime. 

[LotusRising]

If it's a new pattern, it could be related to moving too quickly with reductions. Meaning, it could be your withdrawal symptom pattern. 

 

59 minutes ago, Jt713 said:

I've been noticing over the last few weeks that around 2:30-3pm everday

How long does this feeling last?

[Jt713]

@LotusRising Lasts all the way the way through bedtime and fluctuates in intensity. Mornings and early afternoons seem to be easier. 

[LotusRising]

@Jt713 Do you feel like it improves after you take your dose?

[Jt713]

@LotusRisingIt’s hard to say with any certainty because that’s when I’m “asleep”. My insomnia is so bad, if I don’t sleep well, all my symptoms go into overdrive but when I do feel like I’ve gotten adequate sleep, I feel well enough to do the things I need to do until about 2:30. This would also happen when I made dose drops at higher doses. I would feel it like clockwork the next afternoon. My instinct is that the small dose staves off the withdrawal intensity until mid day, and when the levels in my blood drop, I just sink into despair. Short answer is, yes, but “improves” is a tricky work because I’ve felt horrible on this drug since day 1. I’m still holding at 5mg. Gonna stick here until first week of October. That will be a much longer hold than more normal 10 days. 

[LotusRising]

@Jt713 

 

Ok, yes, I hear what you're saying. 

 

This could be interdose withdrawal, but as you said, it's difficult to know for sure because you fall asleep afterward.

 

One option would be to split your dose and take it twice daily, ideally 12 hours apart. 

[Jt713]

@LotusRising made it down to 4mg last night. I held at 5mg for 21 days. Nothing seemed to change much throughout that period symptom wise outside of sleep disturbances. Seems like every dose between 5-7 was generally the same experience. The insomnia is really really challenging. I’m getting worried that losing so much sleep is going to add to cognitive decline or at worse send me into some kind of psychosis. Is that possible? Am I overthinking it? I can have 3 days where I sleep a total of about 8 hours over 72 hours and then get about 5 hours a night for almost a week and then back to 2-3 hours a night. Is this a normal withdrawal pattern? I just can’t predict how I’m going to sleep lately. It’s the worst symptom I have. What is going on that’s not allowing me to sleep?

[Jt713]

@LotusRisingto add to my last post, why do I never feel tired or unable to nap even if I go all night without sleeping? I just can’t wrap my head around my mind and body not perceiving tiredness anymore. 

[LotusRising]

52 minutes ago, Jt713 said:

The insomnia is really really challenging. I’m getting worried that losing so much sleep is going to add to cognitive decline or at worse send me into some kind of psychosis. Is that possible? Am I overthinking it?

Insomnia is for sure really challenging! I struggled with it for over a year and had long stretches with very little sleep, just like you. It's easy to overthink everything, especially with very little sleep. Try to constantly remind yourself that it's temporary. What do you do on the nights you can't sleep? 

 

42 minutes ago, Jt713 said:

to add to my last post, why do I never feel tired or unable to nap even if I go all night without sleeping? I just can’t wrap my head around my mind and body not perceiving tiredness anymore. 

The nervous system is in a dysregulated state while trying to regain equilibrium-this affects hormones, neurotransmitters etc. I think part of the problem is due to high levels of cortisol and adrenaline. Since withdrawal is a stressor on the body, cortisol can remain elevated. This contributes to the inability to nap, sleep.

 

It will definitely balance out. You might notice a decline in your cognitive abilities temporarily, but this will get better. I would try to stick with a consistent night routine and early morning routine. 

[Jt713]

@LotusRisingon nights I can’t sleep much, I really just lay there and try to rest at the very least (even though I feel like I’m never really at rest). Some have mentioned to me to try to get up and do something but I feel like that just activates me even more. Is it possible to start sleeping better again while continuing to taper or will this not resolve until I’ve been off the drug for months?

[LotusRising]

3 hours ago, Jt713 said:

Is it possible to start sleeping better again while continuing to taper or will this not resolve until I’ve been off the drug for months?

It's very different for everyone. Mine started improving while I was tapering. 

 

I did the same thing. I just rested, or listened to sleep meditations. 

 

It will get better!

[Jt713]

@LotusRisingsorry if this is too personal of a question - did you have suicidal ideation? How did you manage it if so? I see a therapist but withdrawal makes it feel almost futile…

[LotusRising]

42 minutes ago, Jt713 said:

did you have suicidal ideation

I did while I was tapering, but never before in my life. It's really scary, I know. They are very real feelings; I recommend talking about them with someone you trust, whether that be your therapist, a friend or a family member. Talking can help shift your perspective. 

 

I focused a LOT on success stories. And then slowly I started getting very short windows, which was an indicator to me that improvement was happening. I clung to that.  I also have an amazing support system. On the days it was really bad, I forced myself to do something - a quick yoga session, a walk around the block, anything to change my perspective, at least momentarily. Do you have family or friends that you can lean on?

 

You might have a look through this thread too:

 

 

 

[Jt713]

@LotusRisingyes, plenty of understanding friends and family and my mother has been through a horrific benzo withdrawal. I think they’re all just as exhausted as me trying to help and be supportive. This has been extremely stressful for my wife and I have 2 very young kids. The support has been as good as you can ask for but the experience has just been downright terrifying regardless. 

[LotusRising]

@Jt713

 

Yeah, I can empathize for sure. It's very hard on everyone. Keep focusing on your kids, they will help you get through ❤️ Mine were my biggest motivator to keep going and keep improving.

[Jt713]

@LotusRisingIve had a pleasant little window today despite a horrifying last couple weeks. Seems like when I get these little windows they don’t last any longer than a day, if that. But I’m about as close to myself as I’ve been in a while symptom wise. I just can’t put any faith in it lasting long.