Trazadone for sleep

JM27

Hi all,

Has anyone had experience with Trazadone for sleep with the PWD. My LO stays up till 4 or 5am and then sleeps till almost 2pm if we don’t get him up and going.

The Dr prescribed 50mg of Trazadone for sleep. I’m reluctant because of all the side effects.

I have previously trying to wake him earlier and get him on a schedule but that has been unsuccessful.

Any suggestions?

Quilting brings calm

Trazadone for sleep didn’t work all that well for my mom. The doctor switched her to mirtrazipine.

JM27

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/comment/231294#Comment_231294

I wonder if it works well there are a lot of side effect almost that would not help sleep if he reacts with side effects.

Thank you for sharing

caregiver36

> @"Quilting brings calm" said:
> Trazadone for sleep didn’t work all that well for my mom. The doctor switched her to mirtrazipine.

Trazadone isnt working for my dad either. Can you tell me more about mirtrazipine? Is is anti-anxiety? Did it work better for your mom?

Quilting brings calm

@caregiver36

mirtrazipine is generic Remeron. It’s an antidepressant, and also helps with sleep and anxiety. It does sometimes have a side effect of weight gain. Mom didn’t have that side effect. It did work better for her. However at some point, we also added sertraline ( generic Zoloft).

After she went on hospice, they added Ativan too. She got extremely anxious about being on hospice.

JM27

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/comment/231636#Comment_231636

Thank you for that. Currently he is on 5mg of Lexipro for depression and anxiety. But he needed something for sleep and Trazadone was prescribed. I’m reluctant to try it because I’m worried of it causing anxiety upsets ect.

housefinch

Is his anxiety/upset inadequately managed? Wondering because of your worry that adding a medication will increase it. Maybe bringing a video of challenging behavior would be helpful if the doctor is not seeing those behaviors at the appointment.

JM27

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/comment/231650#Comment_231650

Thank you. That is a good idea.

JM27

He anxiety upsets have went away since Lexipro was prescribed.

eaglemom

Can I ask what is he doing during that time, from midnight until 4:00 or 5:00am? During the part of the day he isn't in bed, is he active? Are there lots of naps on the sofa or in his favorite chair? I'm just trying to get a feel of what a 'day' really is for him.

Could him being awake be because of a medication he's taken later in the day? I know you've done it, but I'd dust off my detective hat and really watch (and document) what several of his days are like. Then slowly change a thing or two and see if it has any factor in changing the sleep cycle. If nothing works then I'd discuss it again with either the neurologist or PCP.

eagle

JM27

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/comment/231674#Comment_231674

Hi yes, he lays in bed and I believe he falls asleep and wakes several times or just lays there and stares at pictures or the calendar on his phone.

For the day he doesn’t get up before noon unless I wake him up. He generally gets up takes about an hour to shower and get dressed then he eats and his medicine is given. He takes medication for blood pressure and high cholesterol and the Lexipro.

We usually go out to the lake for a walk or an outing to the store so he gets about 30 minutes to an hour of walking and once return home he wants to sit in front of the tv.

I have tried to engage him in other activities and he really doesn’t want to participate.

I have also tried giving the blood pressure and cholesterol medication at night and that does not help.