Went to see my doctor about getting off sleep meds; prescribes me bupropion and trazodone

Long post ahead but I'm lost and don't know what to do.

I've been dealing with chronic insomnia for decades. As I get older (just turned 58), the insomnia has really become unbearable. On a good night, I get maybe four or five hours of sleep and I can function pretty well throughout the day. But there are many bad nights when I get little to NO sleep at all. The days following those nights are unbearable.

So about six months ago, I convinced my PCM to let me try some sleeping pills. I was prescribed with Lunexa - 3mg, daily. But as is well known, the Lunexa worked fine initially but as my tolerance to the drug built up my insomnia returned. Lately, there have been nights when I've taken 3, 4 or even 6mg of Lunexa and it had no effect on me.

The lack of sleep has made me a very unhappy person to be around. I snap at the slightest things. One recent event: I took a trip to New Orleans to visit friends in a cancer support group I belong to. When I got to my destination, I went to the car rental counter where I had reserved a car. When I got to the counter, there was no car. Although the guy behind the counter tried to help, I went ballistic. I was screaming and yelling, I was making a scene, etc. My wife was scared, she thought I was going to get arrested. I've always had a 'bad temper' but this was a nightmare. Reflecting on it now, I can't believe I was like that.

So almost two weeks ago, I stopped the taking the Lunexa and I went back to see my doctor looking for help. The Lunesta was no longer working and my insomnia was taking a toll not only on me, but those around me.

After filling out questionnaires asking me my medical history and talking with the doc for a bit, the doctor felt I had the classic signs of mild depression and generalized anxiety disorder. Accordingly, I've been prescribed bupropion, 150 mg each morning, along with 100mg of trazodone, which I am to take each night to help me sleep.

In addition to the trazodone at bedtime, I am also taking 1.5mg of melatonin ('Midnite' sleep aid, also contains lemon balm, chamomile and lavender) as well as some CBD tincture that I picked up at my local dispensary (one eye-dropper full under the tongue at bedtime).

You would think with the trazodone, melatonin, and CBD tincture that I should easily fall asleep when i head to bed at 10:00 p.m. each night. But, nope, I rarely even feel drowsy. I cannot understand how nothing seems to help.

I've been using an app on my phone to track my sleep. Here's what I've been dealing with for the past week:

Nov 9 - 3 hours of sleep
Nov 10 - 4 hours of sleep
Nov 11 - 4.5 hours of sleep
Nov 12 - 40 minutes of sleep
Nov 13 - 4.5 hours of sleep
Nov 14 - 2 hours of sleep

I am unable to concentrate or focus at work. I'm a software engineer / computer programmer by trade so this is not good. Additionally, I have to drive to the office two days a week, 1.5 hours each way. Today while driving to work, I felt uncomfortable and unsafe. I'm worried that I'm going to get into an accident and hurt myself or others.

I don't know what to do. I know these drugs can take several weeks in order to start working but shouldn't I feel at least something by now?. I'm approaching two weeks on these drugs and so far I am not feeling any therapeutic effects. None. I don't know how much longer I can keep this up.
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John - Colorado Springs, CO

you are not sleeping despite the meds because your dr was right about your mild depression. I went tru exactly same senerio and even ambien wasn't putting me out for the entire nite. once your depression lifts-normal sleep will return. trazadone is hit or miss for many. didn't work at all for me. what did was doxepin. its in the sAME class as trazadone but really put me out. a real heavy weight is remerion. will knock a horse out but you will have trouble functioning next day. now that I am depression and anxiety free -o sleep like a baby every night -all night. I suffered tru insomnia for months and know what you are going tru. . getting drs to prescribe real sleep meds is hard these days and trazadone is their go to drug . doxepin was MUCH better for me you may want to ask about it if no success with traz. its an old antidepressant and when used in low doses is effective for insomnia. traz is the same kind of drug.

The bupropion can take six to eight weeks to reach full potential. My husband takes melatonin but takes it at 6:00 pm. He takes 10mg and it works. The cbd can take awhile to start working too. Give it all a chance. What mg of melatonin are you taking and at what time?

It can all be so complicated. Do you ever meditate? I meditate in bed before I fall asleep. And it works.

I wish you the very best.

Hugs, Karen...

PS I can't tolerate high doses of bupropion as it gives me insomnia. I think that was with 300mg.

Hi John, Have you tried ashwaganda?I used to have terrible chronic insomnia. It'll literally make someone nuts... Wasn't long after I quit taking all prescribed drugs and more normal sleep patterns returned. Now I take a smaller dose of ashwaganda at night if I feel anxious or not tired. It works. Also use Traditional Medicinals brand of Nighty-Night tea sometimes. Have to let it soak in a covered-mug for 20 minutes but it works surprisingly well. The drugs they gave me for depression, pain, sleep & anxiety just made me feel worse. They made me feel confused, daytime groggy, more depressed,cranky, dumb, heavy-feeling legs. It's like torture trying to function & work when your brain's 1/2 asleep & your body feels like collapsing. Sometimes, I go to bed early & just lay there reading after taking the herbal remedies and that helps. Hope you start sleeping well soon.

UPDATE:

Something strange happened last night. I SLEPT FOR 6.5 HOURS!

Last night, I had to do some remote work for my job and did not get to bed until 11:00 p.m. In addition to that, I took 5mg of melatonin when I went to bed. I was asleep by 11:30.

I don't know if it was the lack of sleep that finally pushed me over the edge, whether it was the later bedtime, or if it was the 5mg of melatonin. Or maybe it was all of the above?

I will try the same again tonight:
(1) 100mg of trazodone at 10:00 p.m.
(2) Bedtime at 11:00 p.m.
(3) 5mg of melatonin at bedtime.
(4) Out of bed at 6:00 a.m.

Wish me the best!
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John - Colorado Springs

I highly recommend you try Remeron. It will work on the first night and should knock you out for 9 or more hours. Trazadone kept me up the one time I tried it and made me feel really weird; it was not a pleasant experience. Melatonin does nothing for me (it seemed to keep me awake, if anything). And Wellbutrin can cause insomnia, in addition to really crappy sleep filled with strange dreams and nightmares.

You might try taking the trazodone earlier than 10 pm. I take trazodone as a sleep aid and my psychiatrist has recommended taking it 1.5–2 hours before bedtime.

I tried Wellbutrin and had to stop as it made me incredibly anxious. I agree that it might be contributing to your anxiety and sleep problems.

Good luck!
Lisa

Post Edited (ld2186) : 11/19/2019 4:15:35 PM (GMT-7)

hd ryder-sorry not to answer sooner. what cured my anxiety and depression and insomnia is celexa. its a weaker form of Lexapro. it took 8 weeks to take effect but I am totally anxiety -depression free and sleep like a baby. even take naps in afternoon. someone suggested Remeron -yes its extremely effective but VERY strong. chances are you WILL sleep but be quite hung over next day. the usual dose is 15-start with 7.5 and see how it goes. you can take the other half if you awake after only 2 hrs or so. that's how I did it. someone also suggested a stronger dose of melantoian-yes ! safe to take up to 10mg at once . 6 usually worked for me. with my severe insomnia I would go 2 days with little sleep-then by 3rd day I was so exhausted I would sleep 5 or 6 . repeat cycle over and over. truly a terrible situation. keep us informed how things go

Glad to hear your sleep has improved! I was wondering how you were doing. I think insomnia can make anyone feel depressed and/or anxious.