DOSE:

5 mg

oral

prazosin

(daily)

BODY WEIGHT:

125 lb

I've had PTSD since I was assaulted five years ago. It resulted in night terrors -- I would wake up from deep sleep, not a dream, convinced that something horrible was either happening or about to happen.

Over time my doctor has built me up from 1mg to 5mg of prazosin. It stops cold those kind of adrenaline surges in sleep for me.

I still have nightmares, but they aren't as bad as without the medication. Because prazosin is a blood pressure pill, and mine already ran low, the dose had to be carefully titrated. I now run 85/55 instead of 110/70.

I have to be very careful getting out of bed in the middle of the night to avoid dizziness and falls/fainting. If I sit up first, wait a minute, then stand, I don't have that problem.

It's great for helping me avoid benzo/z-drug dependence. I'm able to use my small Xanax prescription only when I have panic attacks, instead of taking one every night for a decent night's sleep, and still avoid waking up screaming (which disturbs both bedmates and roommates).

It also reduces my startle reflex if someone wakes me up. Without it, I will jerk upright then, similar to cataplexy, involuntarily fall back down.

Even with the blood pressure side effects, this medication has improved my life significantly.

Exp Year: 2017	ExpID: 109865
Gender: Female
Age at time of experience: 37
Published: May 28, 2017	Views: 2,951
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prazosin (627) : Therapeutic Intent or Outcome (49), Medical Use (47), Alone (16)