Question:
I was just prescribed Desyrel to treat my insomnia that I have been dealing
with for several years. (Best sleeping pill I've tried is Ambien, but doctor
says I can't take it long term) I've never taken an antidepressant before.
WILL IT MAKE ME GAIN WEIGHT? WHAT ARE ITS SIDE EFFECTS? I'd appreciate any
info on the drug, or any other suggestions about how to treat insomnia.
Answer:
I described some things to take
for insomnia. Have you ever used valarian root for insomnia? How about
high quality calcium/magnesium supplements? Personally, the best drug
Ive tried for insomnia is Remeron...knocks you out stone cold when you
take it. I seriously doubt you would have anymore insomnia if you went
on Remeron. But it is a strong drug though and can make you gain some
weight. Other than that, no real side effects. I did read it can make
your cholesterol go up. If the trazadone does not work...ask your doc
for 15 mg Remeron. Your insomnia troubles will be gone the first pill
you take...hehehe. Its my favorite drug even though it no longer works
for my depression.
Desyrel is the brand name for trazodone which is an antidepressant with strong
sedative properties. Side effects include nausea, unpleasant taste, nervousness,
lightheadedness, dry mouth, and stomach changes (diarrhea or constipation).
Weight gain is not one of the listed side effects.
For more information on desyrel, visit Planet Rx : www.planetrx.com and and a
site for depression: www.depression.com. Type in desyrel or trazodone in the
search engines.
To help with insomnia, it's important to practice good sleep hygiene. This
includes, sleeping and waking up at the same time each day, not reading in bed,
and not drinking caffeine after 4pm each day. It's also important to maintain a
good sleep environment such as keeping the room dark, quiet and at a comfortable
temperature. If you don't sleep right away (within 15-30 minutes), get out of
bed, walk around, and read a book. Then when you feel drowsy, get back into bed
and try to fall asleep again. Keep doing this until you actually fall asleep.
For more information on sleep hygiene and insomnia, visit:
http://www.pslgroup.com/insomnia.HTM
or visit the yahoo health site: health.yahoo.com/health/Diseases_and_Conditions/
type insomnia in the search engine, and it should bring up useful
pages.
I hope the information I suggested is helpful to you, but I cannot make any
guarantees as to its accuracy, completeness, usefulness, or relevance to your
particular situation. There is no substitute for having an ongoing, two-way
dialogue with a licensed health professional who you know and trust.
I've recently switched from Celexa (40mg.) to Paxil(10 mg) and take 50
to 75mg. of Desyrel to help with sleep. The Deseryl works great for me,
and no groggy feeling the next day. Only problem is that I wake up
during the night with these huge coughing attacks! I've definitely
linked this to the Desyrel (no Desyrel, no coughing). The coughing
spells last about 10 minutes or so. Don't know what's going on. Has
anyone had this experience? My doctor had never heard of this side
effect. This side effect was the same whether I was taking Celexa or
Paxil. Don't want to give up my Desyrel!! Any suggestions? (Just tried
Ambien, but feel terrible the next day).
