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