I know that doctors would like for us to be on anti-depressants for their use in pain relief, and that some can help with sleep. I do understand that many RSDer's do get depressed, and need them for that also.

I have never felt I have been depressed. RSD is a downer, but I feel I have "handled" it pretty well.

Yet, in my years of having chronic pain from numerous back injuries, myofacial pain and possible fibromyalgia, I have been put on various anti-depressants. The outcome is usually that I get depressed. I don't feel myself, and become very down, wanting to stay home and not participate in the world at all. That, and I usually have a lot of side effects. I would guess, without adding them up that I have tried at least 15 anti-depressants in the last 5-7 years. Maybe even 20. It seems that they generally have the opposite effect on me.

I have asked my family doctor a few times about Trazodone, as I have read about it in the RSD information. She kept saying it is so old, there are many newer ones! Well, in our discussion about my lack of sleep each night (normal days sleep for me was 2-1/2 to 3 hours per 24 hour period) I took in some info for her to read about trazodone, and asked if we could try it. She commented that it is known for morning grogginess. I said, well, I work 2nd shift, so it should not matter. She finally said, ok.

I was to take 1/2 of a 50 mg pill for 2 weeks at bedtime, then go to a full pill.

It's been 3 weeks, and I am still taking the half pill - my choice - and I must say, I feel better!!! My pain is down, my sleep is up. I have actually had a couple dreams! I can't remember having a dream since having RSD !! I must be finally having REM sleep! YEA!!! I slept 4 hours last night, then was up for 3, then slept another 3. It has been ages since I slept 7 hours in a single day.

Side effect so far is that I have stopped losing weight - not good for me, as I am trying to lose. I need to lose some more... this is one reason I have decided to stay at half a pill. I am afraid if I go to a whole pill, I might start to gain. Trazodone is not supposed to make you gain, but I gained a LOT on some of the others... even Cymbata. And, I have been a bit constipated. Also not good. Normal for me is a bit the other direction. I eat a lot of fresh veggies and fiber foods, and I don't want to have to go to laxitives. Have been trying to take extra vitamen C to see if that will help. May have to go buy some magnesium supplements - maybe it will help.

The best part??? Some of the other anti-depressants, like Cymbalta were my max co-pay of $30 to $40 per month (depending if I went for 90 day mail in or 30 day at the pharmacy fills)... trazodone was less than $5 for a month for the first prescription.

I found that the Clonadine patch was top $$ co-pay, but the pill was really cheap... about $6.50 a month. Every little bit helps! I love it when I can get the meds that help A LOT for very little $$ !!!

So -- putting in that disclaimer..... I am not a doctor, have never played one... but I sure have seen a lot of them! LOL... but if you have not tried trazodone, and could use a break on your monthly prescription costs... you might try it! Sure works better than the Cymbata did for me!

Even co-workers have said "Are you feeling better? You look better!"

Jules

i'm so glad its working for you!!! it helped me for a while, i was taking 75 mgs... but i got used to it..

I've been on it for about 6 years. I'm on 100mg. I love it. I do think it's very important for us to have a good night sleep.


Take my night time meds which include Traz. & I'm asleep in 20 minutes! I wake up at 6am, ready to work. But I dream funny dreams...and sometimes even a few nightmares thrown in to keep things interesting!

i've taken traz for 5 yrs. 100 mg.
works great....but no dreams

(am i missin anything )

hope

I have noticed that the dreams have been a bit odd.... not as strange as Zanaflex ones though! LOL... at least I am asleep when I have these! With Zanaflex I didn't have to be asleep to have strange dreams! (Twilight zone music)

It would sure help my blood pressure, knees, and pre-diabetes if I could loose some more weight. I managed to lose 30 lbs over the summer, after stopping my use of Flexeril. I was taking Flexeril at night for 5 years to help with sleep due to the myofacial pain, and could NOT lose any weight at all during that time, and every time I was on Neurontin, or any anti-depressant, I gained. As soon as I stopped the flexeril, I was able to lose without changing my diet. Go figure! I TOLD the doctor I had been following a good diet!

Now, with my loss stopped after starting this small amount of Trazodone, I do have to wonder if it's going to be the same way. I think flexeril was an anti-depressent to start with to, but most people think of it as a muscle relaxant.

So..... Did any of you notice weight gain with Trazodone? I know it's hard to tell, with all the other meds we take that can cause it....

Thanks...
Jules

Hi there folks..
I am now on 150 mg trazadone and that along with extra baclofen and my gabs I sleep like the dead..
I had been gaining weight nastily on amitriptyline like crazy so they switched me over to trazadone but it did not work well till they upped the doseage, I have stopped gaining weight now and have actualy dropped a few pounds this summer.
Take care,
Sandra