Trazodone for PLMD

[cyclist56]

I was diagnosed with mild sleep apnea a couple of months ago (7AHI, mostly hypopneas) and have been using a Resmed Airsense10 APAP for over 3 weeks. I'm not feeling any better when I wake in the a.m. My events per hour have been between 5 and 13 the last week. Not what I hoped, but I suspect that some of the "events" are not actually apneas but some nasal congestion that interferes with my breathing through the nasal pillow mask from time to time, some when I'm still awake. Leak rate has only exceeded 24l/hr. once or twice. I'm getting 6 hours or better of sleep per night. I feel like I should be feeing better by now, but my other diagnosis was severe PLMD. I've posted in another thread that I don't want to take klonopin, which was recommended, because of its addictive properties. I've read that trazodone, which is often prescribed for sleep, can reduce PLMD. Interestingly, the best I've felt in the last 8 months was when I was taking trazodone for sleep. My psychiatrist took me off trazodone after a couple of months because I developed tinnitus after starting it, and it did not seem to be working as well. The tinnitus did not go away after stopping, so I'm considering trying it again to treat PLMD. Anyone used trazodone for PLMD? Any thoughts?

[Julie]

It's really not a good idea... maybe he was thinking of temazepam which some members have found helpful and less problematic. Trazadone is known to have respiratory side effects among others - not something you want if you need Cpap, plus it's too sedating for any long term use.

[cyclist56]

It's really not a good idea... maybe he was thinking of temazepam which some members have found helpful and less problematic. Trazadone is known to have respiratory side effects among others - not something you want if you need Cpap, plus it's too sedating for any long term use.

Just to be clear, I was taking trazodone before I had the sleep study done. Hence, it was not prescribed for PLMD, but to aid in sleep. I was not sleeping at the time. Trazodone is quite commonly prescribed for sleep these days. It is not used for depression any longer because of the sedating effects. It can be taken before bed without hangover the next day. My experience with it was good overall.

[Goofproof]

It's really not a good idea... maybe he was thinking of temazepam which some members have found helpful and less problematic. Trazadone is known to have respiratory side effects among others - not something you want if you need Cpap, plus it's too sedating for any long term use.

Just to be clear, I was taking trazodone before I had the sleep study done. Hence, it was not prescribed for PLMD, but to aid in sleep. I was not sleeping at the time. Trazodone is quite commonly prescribed for sleep these days. It is not used for depression any longer because of the sedating effects. It can be taken before bed without hangover the next day. My experience with it was good overall.

So good, you stopped taking it, yea. Jim

Try Calcum, magnesium, Zinc tablet supplements! It helps my restless legs and the wife's too. Low cost, I use Sam's Club, Member Mark! I use one, may take more! Potassium may be needed, I take a blood test to control that.

[cyclist56]

It's really not a good idea... maybe he was thinking of temazepam which some members have found helpful and less problematic. Trazadone is known to have respiratory side effects among others - not something you want if you need Cpap, plus it's too sedating for any long term use.

Just to be clear, I was taking trazodone before I had the sleep study done. Hence, it was not prescribed for PLMD, but to aid in sleep. I was not sleeping at the time. Trazodone is quite commonly prescribed for sleep these days. It is not used for depression any longer because of the sedating effects. It can be taken before bed without hangover the next day. My experience with it was good overall.

So good you stopped taking it, yea. Jim

Maybe you misunderstood. I posted here seeking information, maybe from someone who has tried it for PLMD. Smart ass retorts are not informative. Have a nice day.

[Goofproof]

Information added in edit.

[kaiasgram]

It's really not a good idea... maybe he was thinking of temazepam which some members have found helpful and less problematic. Trazadone is known to have respiratory side effects among others - not something you want if you need Cpap, plus it's too sedating for any long term use.

Just to be clear, I was taking trazodone before I had the sleep study done. Hence, it was not prescribed for PLMD, but to aid in sleep. I was not sleeping at the time. Trazodone is quite commonly prescribed for sleep these days. It is not used for depression any longer because of the sedating effects. It can be taken before bed without hangover the next day. My experience with it was good overall.

Cyclist56 is correct about trazodone. It is commonly prescribed for sleep for a number of reasons. Respiratory depression is not a common side effect of trazodone, and used in doses appropriate for sleep it is not overly sedating. Long-term use of trazodone is not a concern inasmuch as it does not have dependence/addiction properties.

Temazepam (brand name Restoril), on the other hand, is a benzodiazepine (a Schedule IV controlled substance) which does have addictive potential and is recommended only for short-term use. Benzodiazepines can have respiratory depression side effects.

[tedburnsIII]

It's really not a good idea... maybe he was thinking of temazepam which some members have found helpful and less problematic. Trazadone is known to have respiratory side effects among others - not something you want if you need Cpap, plus it's too sedating for any long term use.

Just to be clear, I was taking trazodone before I had the sleep study done. Hence, it was not prescribed for PLMD, but to aid in sleep. I was not sleeping at the time. Trazodone is quite commonly prescribed for sleep these days. It is not used for depression any longer because of the sedating effects. It can be taken before bed without hangover the next day. My experience with it was good overall.

Underlined, above. That I seriously doubt. It is first and foremost a psychotropic anti-depressant, been around forever, and has other properties that may aid in depression with insomnia.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22712761

http://www.insomnia.net/medications/trazodone/

[JDS74]

cyclist56:

My neurologist prescribes Pramipexole for PLMD. My rate went from 70+ per hour to less that 2. He indicated that it is an older med with very low addictive properties unlike Klonopin which is. As part of the process, he ordered a new sleep study the measure the effect. If you and your doctor go this way, then take the med early in the evening so it mostly clears by mid morning.

[LadyK]

I've had sleep problems practically all my life. I used Trazodone for years starting with 50 mgs and finally went up to 150 mgs. Trazodone is NON-ADDICTING. It was the best and safest sleep medication I have ever used (and I have used a lot). The problem for me was that my body started to become immune to the sedating affects and the doctor had to keep prescribing higher doses to get the same affect until eventually it would not work for me at all. I took Trazodone for about 5 to six years. The doctor(s) told me this was very common with Trazodone. Let me make it very clear to those who say Trazodone is not very safe. Other than Benadryl (Diphenhydramine) Trazodone is one of the safest sleep meds prescribed today. Of course your doctor knows what's best for you but I would ask him to try it again an the 50 mg (low dose). Some people might be shocked at what my doctor prescribes for me to take every night to get and stay asleep. However, overall my CPAP numbers are very good. If you need to take a sleep medication and your CPAP numbers are bad , get you doctor to update the pressures on your machine (DA!!!) Of course you should never take any sleep medication without the OK of your doctor but I think a lot of people overreact when it come to sleep medications and particularly how it affect their CPAP numbers. Anyway, good luck . I hope you find something that works safely for you.

[Julie]

"The problem for me was that my body started to become immune to the sedating affects and the doctor had to keep prescribing higher doses to get the same affect until eventually it would not work for me at all."

That's a definition of addictive if I ever heard one.

And Kaiasgram is a certified psychiatrist.

[49er]

"The problem for me was that my body started to become immune to the sedating affects and the doctor had to keep prescribing higher doses to get the same affect until eventually it would not work for me at all."

That's a definition of addictive if I ever heard one.

And Kaiasgram is a certified psychiatrist.

Totally agree Julie. And the folks on the Surviving Antidepressant website who have had a horrible time getting off of Trazadone would definitely agree with you.

Kaiasgram is not a psychiatrist but works in the mental health field.

Anyway, this isn't an issue of being pro meds vs. anti meds but to be fully informed about the ones that are prescribed for you.

49er

[cyclist56]

I've had sleep problems practically all my life. I used Trazodone for years starting with 50 mgs and finally went up to 150 mgs. Trazodone is NON-ADDICTING. It was the best and safest sleep medication I have ever used (and I have used a lot). The problem for me was that my body started to become immune to the sedating affects and the doctor had to keep prescribing higher doses to get the same affect until eventually it would not work for me at all. I took Trazodone for about 5 to six years. The doctor(s) told me this was very common with Trazodone. Let me make it very clear to those who say Trazodone is not very safe. Other than Benadryl (Diphenhydramine) Trazodone is one of the safest sleep meds prescribed today. Of course your doctor knows what's best for you but I would ask him to try it again an the 50 mg (low dose). Some people might be shocked at what my doctor prescribes for me to take every night to get and stay asleep. However, overall my CPAP numbers are very good. If you need to take a sleep medication and your CPAP numbers are bad , get you doctor to update the pressures on your machine (DA!!!) Of course you should never take any sleep medication without the OK of your doctor but I think a lot of people overreact when it come to sleep medications and particularly how it affect their CPAP numbers. Anyway, good luck . I hope you find something that works safely for you.

Thanks for your perspective. IMO, it is relatively benign compared to almost all other sleep medications. I have a friend who takes it at 50 mg and sleeps well. Both my internist and Psychiatrist have patients taking trazodone for sleep. Still not sure what I'll do. I have a week to think about it before my next appointment.

[ChicagoGranny]

I'm not feeling any better when I wake in the a.m. My events per hour have been between 5 and 13 the last week. Not what I hoped, but I suspect that some of the "events" are not actually apneas but some nasal congestion that interferes with my breathing through the nasal pillow mask from time to time, some when I'm still awake.

I feel good and have a lot of energy. But, if my AHI is over 3.0, I don't feel good and the energy is gone.

If my AHI was between 5 and 13 - ouch!!

Be careful not to try covering up a mediocre CPAP therapy with drugs.

I suspect that some of the "events" are not actually apneas

Best to start studying the SleepyHead detailed reports and not make assumptions where data is available. Look at the breath waveforms leading up to, during and after the events that are suspect in your mind.

Don't get discouraged. It is normal to take some time to get your CPAP therapy optimized.

[ChicagoGranny]

I also forgot to say that you should have your serum ferritin level checked. In patients with RLS or PLMD, the level needs to be a bit higher (around 100+) as compared to patients where the conditions are absent.

If it is below the recommended level, there is a protocol for supplementation - it is not just a matter of buying a bottle of ferrous sulfate tablets and taking according to bottle directions. Member Sheffey will give you details if you PM him.