![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
[email protected]Shown: posts 1 to 25 of 34. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by ttt on November 13, 2001, at 20:57:40
Does anyone know what are the withdrawal syndromes of Seroquel?
Posted by Gracie2 on November 14, 2001, at 19:23:18
In reply to seroquel withdrawal syndromes?, posted by ttt on November 13, 2001, at 20:57:40
Couldn't sleep.
Couldn't sleep.
Couldn't sleep.
Posted by ttt on November 14, 2001, at 19:43:39
In reply to Re: seroquel withdrawal syndromes?, posted by Gracie2 on November 14, 2001, at 19:23:18
Now I am stuck!!!
I stopped Zyprexa and suffered chronic insomnia.
I had no sleeping problem or any physical problem before zyprexa. Felt like dying when I stopped zyprexa, couldn't stand it and finally took seroquel only for sleep since no sleeping med seemed to help and be safe. Now I am stuck on seroquel. I reduced by 5mg and had 0 sleep.
Am I stuck on seroquel forever?
Will seroquel make insomnia worse?Have you managed to cure your insomnia? If you know a cure for this insomnia and be able to restore sleep pattern and be able to sleep without depend on med, please share the info and will thank you forever and ever.
Posted by ttt on November 14, 2001, at 19:52:40
In reply to Re: seroquel withdrawal syndromes?, posted by ttt on November 14, 2001, at 19:43:39
Does anyone know how zyprexa or seroquel work on the brain chemical to cause sleep and when we stop it, we get chronic insomnia?
Or is it caused by some other condition or illnesses.
I did not have insomnia before zyprexa. If insomnia is caused by other illnesses then does this mean that zyprexa somehow activate or transform the illness?
How do I get out of this zyprexa/seroquel hidden dependency? I'm getting desperate now.
Posted by Tony P on November 16, 2001, at 2:37:17
In reply to Re: seroquel withdrawal syndromes?, posted by ttt on November 14, 2001, at 19:52:40
> Does anyone know how zyprexa or seroquel work on the brain chemical to cause sleep and when we stop it, we get chronic insomnia?
> Or is it caused by some other condition or illnesses.
> I did not have insomnia before zyprexa. If insomnia is caused by other illnesses then does this mean that zyprexa somehow activate or transform the illness?
> How do I get out of this zyprexa/seroquel hidden dependency? I'm getting desperate now.I am not familiar with zyprexa or seroquel myself, but have had a lot of drug- and anxiety-induced insomnia.
What you may need, and what I'm also trying to find, is one or meds that will replace what you've been taking - but then be easier to withdraw from without as much insomnia rebound.
Trazodone (Desyrel) is effective for many people, very safe, and reasonably easy to taper off from I believe. It works slowly, and can last quite a while for some people - I find I'm still dopey next morning after 50 mg. But worth a try.
Zopiclone (Imovane (sp?)) is the opposite - works very quickly, but wears off quickly - with it alone I wake up about 4 or 5 AM. Also said to have easier withdrawal than most other sleeping meds.
I take the two together some of the time, and am now trying to taper off, as I also reduce other meds, some of which were causing the insomnia.
Kava-kava works for some people - I find it tends to excite me first for an hour or so, so it's not ideal. But also, no withdrawal problems.
There are also other herbal remedies and many non-medical ways of coping with insomnia - plenty of books and articles on the web are available. But my experience has been that if your insomnia has been severe and drug-induced, you will need medical help.
Good luck!
Tony P.
Posted by ttt on November 17, 2001, at 16:18:39
In reply to Re: seroquel withdrawal syndromes? » ttt, posted by Tony P on November 16, 2001, at 2:37:17
I know trazodone has sedative effect. But will it build up natural sleep pattern even after we ween it off? Or is it just a temporary sleep solution?
Trazodone is a depression med and it works on the brain chemical where as many other sleeping pills do not change brain chemical.
I want to give trazodone a try sometime but then again I am so very fearful of giving anything a try since I have learned a hard lesson.
Posted by Gracie2 on November 22, 2001, at 3:10:53
In reply to Re: seroquel withdrawal syndromes?, posted by ttt on November 17, 2001, at 16:18:39
I bought a book called 5-HTP: Nature's Serotonin
Solution by Dr. Ray Sahelian. It might be worth investigating; according to the good doctor, 5-HTP
can be useful for insomnia, depression and appetite control, when used correctly.
5-HTP did nothing for my insomnia, but I completely lost interest in food. Without trying, I lost almost 10 pounds in 2 weeks. Unfortunately it almost seemed to aggravate my insomnia, as I need carbohydrates to sleep well.
However, since everyone doesn't react the same way, prehaps 5-HTP would help you sleep. It couldn't hurt to give it a try.
-Gracie
Posted by helloieeees on March 15, 2002, at 23:01:07
In reply to Re: seroquel withdrawal syndromes? » ttt, posted by Tony P on November 16, 2001, at 2:37:17
> > Does anyone know how zyprexa or seroquel work on the brain chemical to cause sleep and when we stop it, we get chronic insomnia?
> > Or is it caused by some other condition or illnesses.
> > I did not have insomnia before zyprexa. If insomnia is caused by other illnesses then does this mean that zyprexa somehow activate or transform the illness?
> > How do I get out of this zyprexa/seroquel hidden dependency? I'm getting desperate now.
hi, and helloieees ;)
I just registered to post on this site (03-15-2002) and found a couple of old posts from nov. 2001 regarding seroquel withdrawl symptoms via the google.com search engineBefore my experience in dealing with antipsychotics (particularly the atypical ones, risperdal, zyprexa, seroquel and clozaril)for "depression with psychotic features" to my present dx bipolar disorder (with ultridian cycling! ugh) - i always had problems with regulating my sleep patterns, cycles of oversleeping and close to none at times. It seemed at the time that the sleep distress perhaps was a symptom of the deep depressions I was having.
over the past 3 years or so, i've been on and off of seroquel, initially on "low" doses from 25mg to no more than 100mg (due to the really horrific sedative side effects i'd have throughout the day, not only at night) up until last oct.-my sleep patterns have always been pretty off, and essentially directly related to my "wellness." and i've always relied on "pills" to sedate me at night.
This of course has brought me solace in the beginning when i could sleep at night, but in the end has bothered me (perhaps it's my lack of acceptance of the illness)Come August to October of last year, not intentionally, or not blatant non-compliance, I didn't take the seroquel that zealously skipping a dose here, and there because i wanted to "stay up and do my homework all throughout the night"; i always felt limited by the seroquel, causing me to sleep too much, better yet the cognitive effects of topamax really killed my concentration, i felt sooooooo dumb. I also feel until now depersonalized.
eventually i plummeted into a horrible mixed state predominantly manic, (the type of manic that's not "high," nice or seductive...) where people would ask "what the heck are you talking about? slow down! You make no sense!" and where the thoughts race faster than you can grasp. I was hospitalized for the month of november 2001 and they increased my seroquel up to 450mg. (currently i'm i the post manic depression, it really sucks)
nevertheless, my concentration improved, i became coherant again and my neurosis (or even psychosis) was halted. HOWEVER, the notion of me having a sleep disorder really bothered me. I thought taking all of these pills which were sedating for the time being was just kind of denying that i realy suffer from some sort of wacked out part of me that doesn't achieve sleep naturally and "normally."
even though, i will probably be on seroquel for a long time, tapering down seroquel in past totally left me an insomniac...
and more importantly NOW (i know that the seroquel is therapeutic in some important ways and that i was teasing myself and being at such a relatively low dose) if i miss just ONE dose of seroquel, if i take it a little late, or if i go more than like 24 hours w/out it
i get so nauseated, dizzy and headachy i feel like i want to die literally and pass out, i cannot be in anything moving or have anything moving near me or i will puke my brains outthere was one day where i didn't take my seroquel at night... fell asleep from exaustion from the hectic mondays - and the next day on the train to school i was literally dying, i barely made it to school, stumbling on the sidewalk and spent the whole time while i was in school on the toilet. luckily, later in the day, I found the seroquel on me. Once i took the dose, i felt fine in like 30 minutes, then of course fell asleep in that zombifying sedation. (waking me up, and getting home was a mess)
-one can say this is probably a good thing, that it will force me to take my meds on time, but there's no flexibility, absolutely none, (what if i accidentally forget it, and it's 5am, not even , say 1am? i can't take it then, or i'll fall asleep) and i still face the issue of having to take it at 10pm, if i want to get up in the morning, leaving me literally no time for school work or leisure time. i have no probs increasing the drug, in fact it feels good oddly for 2 days after an increase, but any decrease kills me.
- this huge dependance scares me, i feel like a drug addict, or on toxic doses of lithium!! and I worry if the time comes to taper it off, i wont be able to do so... i hate this dependency, and of course, accepting the fact that i'll have to take pills for a chronic illness is one issue, but the dependency is freaking me out, what if i don't have seroquel one day? is it still beneficial despite all of this and the dependency?
-oh yeah, have any of you experienced BINGE EATING on seroquel, or ANY antipsychotic? Once i'm in that state of sedation, it's like i'm hypnotized to put anything and everything in my mouth (i don't have to be hungry at all), it's really hard to hold myself back. Sometimes now, when i take it, i just want to eat until my stomach hurts whether or not i'm hungry... it's almost replaced my cutting (that's another story.)
- in the hospital i've noticed that any of the girls taking a PRN to calm them down (thorazine .. SUPER SUPER SUPER elephant tranquilizer lol!) their eyes get all baggy like mine do on seroquel and they all just want candy and food. it's weird, but there's definitely a connection.
-i've had my share of weight altering drugs, and i'm definitely tired of it. but i guess it's better to fluctuate up and down in weight than be psychotic.so anyway thanx for reading (if you actually got this far ) i know it was long
any feed back would sooooooo be appreciated;)
annie.
Posted by crepuscular on March 16, 2002, at 14:09:35
In reply to Re: seroquel withdrawal syndromes? (side effects ) » Tony P, posted by helloieeees on March 15, 2002, at 23:01:07
hey fellow seroquel types,
i would imagine that there is a discontinuation effect of seroquel, and yet, this has been the case for every drug i have ever been on except lithium. So far, stopping elavil was the absolute worst - nausea central.on the other hand, i've been in manic/sleepless states all on my own, just good old fashioned bipolar disorder doing its own thing. i have to say i have found seroquel to be fairly benign in terms of side effects. the anti-epileptic mood stabilizers seem to have caused more cognitive problems for me, almost like i'm having early onset dementia. so aside from sedation - which is somewhat welcome - seroquel does not feel this way.
the medication circus is a pain in the ass, and bipolar folks have a very rough time indeed due to the push/pull effect of the very meds used to treat the disorder. but my impression 4 months into seroquel keeps improving and the mood cycling slowing down. to me this seems like progress, heck, almost like there's some actual repair going on up there in the noggin.
i have to think that a sustained experience of good sleep and ongoing mood stability is physically good for my brain. we know that over time our neurons display amazing plasticity, so if that spinning wheel in my head has found a good balance, without massive side effects, maybe i should jsut feel fortunate for the treatment and stick with it. at this point i don't see a reason to stop therapy with seroquel.
maybe this will be for life. maybe it should be. maybe i will go places & do things i never thought possible. and maybe my life won't end in suicide as i have been almost certain it would.
sometimes it's good to put drug therapy in the social context of how otheres perceive you. at my job, everyone can tell i'm doing better. i'm a better co-worker, and they benefit from not having have an explosive, stormy, then by turns brooding & suicidal person around. if i went off the meds, they would again suffer too. so what is the point of that? kind of selfish i'd say.
> > > Does anyone know how zyprexa or seroquel work on the brain chemical to cause sleep and when we stop it, we get chronic insomnia?
Posted by debijaiden on December 29, 2003, at 19:27:36
In reply to Re: seroquel withdrawal syndromes? (side effects ) » Tony P, posted by helloieeees on March 15, 2002, at 23:01:07
In response to helloieeees on March 15, 2002, at 23:01:07...
I've been on 200 mg of seroquel for about 2 years.. and YES..about 20 minutes after I take the med, I have to eat.. and eat.. and eat. The problem is.. one of the side affects of the med is that I have trouble swallowing. These two "side affects" are part of the reason I stopped the med... I did this a week and a half ago.. I've never felt so bad in my life. Vertigo.. itching.. irritable. I'll never go back on it... I dont care if I dont sleep for weeks. I've been treated for BPMD for 10 years... I've been on scores of meds... experienced withdrawals from several different types.. (anti depressents... anti-anxiety... mood stabilizers.. etc.) and I've NEVER felt this bad when I've stopped anything before. If anyone has any ideas on how to deal with these withdrawal symptoms, I'd be GLAD to hear your advice. Yes.. it's been a week + and I STILL feel like my head is reeling. I also stopped effexor (150 mg)... so I'm not completely sure that all the symptoms are from the seroquel alone. All I DO know .. without a doubt.. is that I'd not recommend this med for anyone. I hate it.. hated the way it made me a zombie.. hated the way it made me a slave to it. I like sleeping.. but I also like waking up as myself and not a lifeless puppet. There's no quality of life in that.. at least not for me.
Posted by Lyrical13 on January 10, 2004, at 7:10:01
In reply to Re: seroquel withdrawal syndromes? (side effects ), posted by crepuscular on March 16, 2002, at 14:09:35
Hi
I was looking for info on side effects when tapering off Seroquel and then I noticed several of you mentioned taking Seroquel for BP. My pdoc and I have just realized that I do not have depression w/ GAD but rather BP2. It's been in the back of my head for several years, but I didn't want to accept it. And I didn't even know there was more than one type of BP. But the more I read about BP2 it sounds like me.Here's the confusion...my pdoc is taking me OFF of Seroquel now that he thinks it's BP2. He says it's not the way he would go for that dx. I was originally put on it to boost the effects of Effexor for depression. I'm also on Synthroid for the same purpose. His plan is to get me off of Seroquel and Synthroid and start me on Lamictal as a mood stabilizer. The predicted end result is Lamictal alone or perhaps with a lower dose of Effexor to help with depression. So now I"m wondering...it sounds like you are taking Seroquel for BP but my pdoc says not for BP so now I don't really understand how that med works and for what dx.
The other thing is, I plan to taper down my Seroquel. My pdoc had said just to stop it, but I'm leery of stopping any med cold turkey. I am only on 50mg but I tend to be very sensitive to meds. I felt awful when I first started it at 25mg. The first 3 days I was nauseous and wiped out. I haven't had problems since then. Well, actually when I increased to 50mg I was so groggy that I fell down the last few stairs when I was coming down to let the dog out early in the morning. I called my pdoc and told him that I wanted to start tapering the Seroquel. He seemed unconcerned but said it was OK with him. I have an appt with him on Jan 21 so I wanted to start the taper now and see how I am then.
anyone have any thoughts on any of this?
thanks for listening
Posted by Sabina on January 10, 2004, at 15:11:42
In reply to seroquel BP2, posted by Lyrical13 on January 10, 2004, at 7:10:01
i'm on seroquel and topamax (100mgs each) for BPII. they're working great for me. i have ZERO tolerance for any ssri's and seroquel has been a real blessing for me. i have read posts by other BP's on this board who have also mentioned taking seroquel, so i'm not certain what your pdoc's bias against it could be. i can't speak to going off the med, but if/when i do, it certainly won't be immediate. good luck to you.
Posted by Lyrical13 on January 12, 2004, at 4:27:15
In reply to Re: seroquel BP2 » Lyrical13, posted by Sabina on January 10, 2004, at 15:11:42
Anyone know any reason why I can't still be on Seroquel when I start the Lamictal next week? I started tapering the Seroquel SAt night..took 25mg instead of 50mg. My sleep has been affected in a big way. I've been awake off and on since about 1am (went to bed at 11) and finally got up at 5am instead of lying there wide awake. My pdoc wanted to just stop the Seroquel cold turkey when I start the Lamictal but I'm not comfortabe with that. That's why I started to taper off now. But I really need my sleep. Thinking about going back up to 50mg tonight.
L13
Posted by CareBear04 on January 12, 2004, at 11:21:47
In reply to Re: seroquel and lamictal, posted by Lyrical13 on January 12, 2004, at 4:27:15
What is a really small dose of Seroquel, approximately equivalent to 2.5 of Zyprexa? If anyone knows, please post.
Posted by Emme on January 12, 2004, at 14:57:09
In reply to Re: seroquel and lamictal, posted by Lyrical13 on January 12, 2004, at 4:27:15
> Anyone know any reason why I can't still be on Seroquel when I start the Lamictal next week? I started tapering the Seroquel SAt night..took 25mg instead of 50mg. My sleep has been affected in a big way. I've been awake off and on since about 1am (went to bed at 11) and finally got up at 5am instead of lying there wide awake. My pdoc wanted to just stop the Seroquel cold turkey when I start the Lamictal but I'm not comfortabe with that. That's why I started to taper off now. But I really need my sleep. Thinking about going back up to 50mg tonight.
>
> L13
My pdoc had me start Seroquel to help with insomnia caused by Lamictal. She said it would also have some moood stabilizing properties. A crumb of it helps with intense anixety. I use it very sporadically, though for a time I was using it fairly regularly. Aside from having to dose carefully so I wouldn't be too zonked, I had no problems. I'm not sure why your doctor would think that you cannot take both. Did she/he say why?Emme
Posted by Lyrical13 on January 14, 2004, at 5:57:31
In reply to Re: seroquel and lamictal » Lyrical13, posted by Emme on January 12, 2004, at 14:57:09
So were you able to take it PRN for restless/ anxious feelings? Did it zonk you or make you nauseous? Those are SEs I had when initially starting on it. I'm still keeping my dose at 25mg despite the sleep problems. I'm getting about 6 hours so it's not too bad. Maybe it would be better if I went to bed before midnight but I'm so wide awake! I did doze a bit on the couch while watching TV with hubby. But wide awake at 6am though I usually get up at 7am.
I decided to ride it out since I see my pdoc next week and am supposed to start Lamictal then. Functionally pretty well and no mood problems.
L13
Posted by Laree on January 14, 2004, at 21:09:49
In reply to seroquel occasionally, posted by Lyrical13 on January 14, 2004, at 5:57:31
I was taking a low dose of Seroquel on an "as needed" basis for insomnia for a while--actually, i still do when I am absolutely desperate for sleep and my mind won't shut off! It definitely works--i have been on many sleep meds, and this has been the most potent for me by far. It's strength far outshines that of any benzodiazepine i have ever tried (valium, xanax, serax, ambien) & any sleeping aid, rx or not, for that matter...
It definitely zonks me out at doses of 50 mg.-100 mg./night. Sometimes even at 25 mg. i find that soon after i take it i have a hard time keeping my eyes open, and i have marked insomnia (sometimes not getting a wink of sleep all night/morning). I have ADHD and my mind tends to be hyperactive--and when I lay down to go to sleep at night I think it just runs off and does it's own thing or something ;P I also have perfectionistic tendencies and am a bonafied worrywart...haha...
I usually feel a bit hung-over the next day, but if I take it early enough (ie: 10 p.m.) the hangover is not nearly as bad.
Oh, and it makes me hungry, not nauseous!! :)
Best,
L.
> So were you able to take it PRN for restless/ anxious feelings? Did it zonk you or make you nauseous? Those are SEs I had when initially starting on it. I'm still keeping my dose at 25mg despite the sleep problems. I'm getting about 6 hours so it's not too bad. Maybe it would be better if I went to bed before midnight but I'm so wide awake! I did doze a bit on the couch while watching TV with hubby. But wide awake at 6am though I usually get up at 7am.
>
> I decided to ride it out since I see my pdoc next week and am supposed to start Lamictal then. Functionally pretty well and no mood problems.
>
> L13
Posted by Fifner on May 14, 2004, at 12:41:53
In reply to seroquel withdrawal syndromes?, posted by ttt on November 13, 2001, at 20:57:40
With regards to insomnia from seroquel withdrawal....
My wife is currently trying to stop seroquel and she took her last dose of 75mg three days ago. She has suffered from poor sleep, increased anxiety and itchiness... it was so bad last night that she believed bugs were on her. I took her to emergency and she was given Atavan. This helped her sleep. Atavan can be addictive for many people. As well, I read a really interesting book several months ago called 'The Melatonin Miracle'. I suggest that you look up melatonin on the internet. It helps regulate our sleep and is produced by our pinial glands. In the U.S melatonin can be purchased over the counter. Many people find it very effective for inducing sleep. If you do decide to try it.. start with a very small dose, because I have talked to two different people that started with slightly larger doses and although they slept like a log they both suffered from strange dreams and nightmares.
Posted by ramsea on May 15, 2004, at 11:02:14
In reply to Re: seroquel withdrawal syndromes?, posted by Fifner on May 14, 2004, at 12:41:53
If your wife can't take anymore Seroquel at all then stopping it abrubtly is all you can do. I would personally go down another week to 50, see how that is. Then after a week or so 25, then 12mgs. Slowlu down the tapering has helped me avoid the sickness (headache, irritatibility, anxiety, restless syndrome, etc)that usually comes with sudden withdrawl of anti-psychotics.
Posted by RobertPalsing on May 17, 2004, at 5:32:05
In reply to Re: seroquel withdrawal syndromes? » Fifner, posted by ramsea on May 15, 2004, at 11:02:14
Seroquel is a strongly sedating drug. One night I missed my dosage altogether and could not sleep the night, though I felt not sedated and it was refreshing.
It went away within a few days for me, however, withdrawal from an antipsychotic can have lasting effects (4 weeks+) so hopefully you have started something else?
Good luck,
"Bob"
Posted by Stina on May 29, 2004, at 17:07:41
In reply to Re: seroquel withdrawal syndromes? » Fifner, posted by ramsea on May 15, 2004, at 11:02:14
I was taking Seroquel for many months. Well my aunt thought that I was addicted to it so she stopped me cold turkey. I have been VERY VERY SICk... I can't sleep I can't eat. She did this about2 and half weeks b-4 my doctors appt. I don't know what to do. I thought that your doctor had to take you off of your meds and he is the one that determines if you are addicted or not. I have MPD and it helps me fall asleep without the people talking in my head. Is the way I am feeling very very sick and everything because it is withdraws or is it sleep deprovation? Can anyone please help me??
Stina
Posted by shadows721 on May 29, 2004, at 17:26:13
In reply to Re: seroquel withdrawal syndromes? » ramsea, posted by Stina on May 29, 2004, at 17:07:41
I don't ever think it's a wise idea to go cold turkey off of these meds unless someone has an adverse reaction or allergic reaction to them. Your aunt isn't your doctor and is making a medical judgment. If the med is helping you, why do you need to go with out it? I too have MPD, but I don't find it quiets the voices at all. It does help me sleep which helps my overall functioning. Sleep deprevation can make your condition worsen. I am confused. How does she think that going without a good night sleep would help your condition? You must have been put on it, because you couldn't sleep. I am sorry, but I just don't understand that at all. Why does she think your addicted? There is a difference between physical dependency and addiction. I never heard of anyone craving this med. Perhaps, she doesn't understand the serverity of your condition and that it does require medication to help you function.
Posted by RobertPalsing on May 29, 2004, at 21:28:24
In reply to Re: seroquel withdrawal syndromes?, posted by shadows721 on May 29, 2004, at 17:26:13
Listen:
You cannot go cold turkey off of these medications. It is very dangerous and the withdrawal effects will very likely make you feel worse than before you started. I have done it. Do not do it. This is one of those "thank God for psychobabble" things. If you are hoping to discontinue with the antipsychotic class of meds altogether and must get off your current one, have your doctor replace your current one with a similar one, and then begin tapering it.
Stopping antipsychotics is (from my experience) an all together terrifying and life changing experience. I had never experienced more fear or intense joy, more emotional pain or bliss, all on opposite tokens of the same pill. As good as they can make you feel, they can make you feel just as bad.
Odds are, if you have felt good at some point during your treatment but have had trouble with antipsychotics recently, you do not need medicine that strong. I was incorrectly prescribed APs and suffered from their withdrawal more than any other mental illness of my own doing. Antidepressants and mood stabilizers are generally less volatile drugs to ingest, and will be safer in the long run.
Please save yourself the pain and take as much care in stopping a med as you would starting it. You wouldn't begin your med at full dose would you?
Good luck, take care.
"Bob"
Posted by ramsea on May 30, 2004, at 4:58:44
In reply to Re: seroquel withdrawal syndromes? » ramsea, posted by Stina on May 29, 2004, at 17:07:41
It's common practice to taper someone off an anti-psych med cause though they aren't addictive (as anyone knows who has had them) the body does get used to their presence and the nevous system can get way whacked out by stopping the meds abrubtly. Not only can original symptoms reappear, but there is a flu0like syndrome that has to be endured and as I went through this once, when I stopped without medical advice, it made me feel so weirdly ill it is hard to describe--sick and horribly anxious too. It was terrible. Your relative may have been trying to help but if she isn;t a doctor, she may not realize that Seroquel might well have been doing you a great service. You really do need good doctoring at this point. I hope you are able to bring your aunt along so she can ask questions too, and maybe learn more. I hope you are feeling a but better now. My misery lasted about three days.
Posted by TJO on May 31, 2004, at 7:07:27
In reply to Re: seroquel withdrawal syndromes? » Stina, posted by ramsea on May 30, 2004, at 4:58:44
Hi,
I take Seroquel so I felt like adding my 2 cents to this. I was taking 3 antipsychotics for a short time-Abilify, Risperdal and Seroquel. The Dr tapered me off of the Risperdal gradually while bringing up my dose of Seroquel. I needed to go up to 700 mg of Seroquel to feel well. At 600mg I was a very sick and groggy person. I was sleepy for about 2 months (more sleepy than normal)and would wake up around 11am.
I feel great at present and my sleep cycle is finally normal. I go to bed at around 10pm and get up at around 6 am feeling rested. The people around me say that I'm doing much better.
My meds are-Wellbutrin 150mg at night, Neurontin 1200mg, 600 in the am and 600 at night, Abilify 30 mg in the am and Seroquel 700 mg-300 in the am and 400 at night. I am considering tapering off on the Abilify but everything seems about right now and I don't want to fix it if it isn't broken.
I have had some dry mouth occasionally from the Seroquel. The sleepiness I had was intolerable (Who wants to be a zombie all the time?) and I was seriously considering stopping the drug when it started to work. My plan then was to gradually add the Risperdal back and then taper off of the Seroquel. I wonder if I would have had W/D symptoms or if adding another atypical antipsychotic until it reaches a thereapeutic dose and then tapering off on the Seroquel is the way to avoid those nasty withdrawal symptoms.Tammy
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