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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
[email protected]Shown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by cindy lou on July 15, 2006, at 18:40:47
HI,
I tried looking at the archives on Seroquel but they scared me too much.My pdoc wants me to try Seroquel. I am not convinced I should. I react very strongly to most meds, especially those along this line. E.g., Geodon and Abilify both worked well the first few days (I was energized, better mood, more motivated, etc.), but then began to backfire and I had a LOT of anxiety attacks, agitation, irritability, etc. ... which I treated with more Klonapin, and then I took more Dexedrine to treat the fatigue from the Klonapin -- You know, ridiculous.
Now he wants to try Seroquel. Why would that be any different from Abilify or Geodon? Or from Lamictal or Lithium for that matter? It seems any "Mood stablizer" type meds I try only make me more erratic.
I have been treated for depression for many years. No one is sure if I am bipoloar or not. I don't have actual manic episodes. The only thing that works is Prozac, and then it poops out after 2 monhts. LExapro is the same way. All other SSRIs, SNRIs, etc. have side effects that are too intolerable for me (mostly extreme sedation.)
So, there is a history. If anyone could PLEASE help me I would appreciate it! Should I even try this Seroquel? Does it help depression?
THanks,
cindyPS. as i mentioned before, I do also take 0.5 mg. Klonapin at night to sleep and Dexedrine during the day for focus and energy (about 5-10 mg. as needed.)
Posted by Phillipa on July 15, 2006, at 19:28:52
In reply to Seroquel - scared to start - help, posted by cindy lou on July 15, 2006, at 18:40:47
Scroll up U gotta have hope is having great results on it. Love Phillipa
Posted by UgottaHaveHope on July 15, 2006, at 21:07:35
In reply to Seroquel - scared to start - help, posted by cindy lou on July 15, 2006, at 18:40:47
Yes, you should try Seroquel. The good thing about it is that you won't have to wait 4-6 weeks to "feel it" like the SSRIs. You will know within the first few days, if not first day.
I have taken 30+ meds (including Lamictal, Lithium) over the past nine years, and this was the only drug to touch my anxiety/depression. I know every med affects everyone differently, so results will vary. Bless your heart and I hope you find something to help.
Posted by cindy lou on July 16, 2006, at 12:32:44
In reply to Re: Seroquel is a miracle (rhymes!), posted by UgottaHaveHope on July 15, 2006, at 21:07:35
Thank you so much for your encouragement (I like your screen name too!)
So, the Seroquel has helped your depression and anxiety, as well as insomnia? (I noticed the thread above talks a lot about insomnia.) And you take it without any other meds? Are you very fatigued during the day at all? I am very sensitive to meds, so I am afraid of the side effects.
I took 12.5 mg. last night (just cut a 25 mg. in half), and was so dopey this morning that I had to go back to bed and I slept for 3 hours -- dreaming away (which I normally don't do). I am slowly waking up, and it's 1:30 pm already. Fortunately my husband is home today -- I won't have this luxury tomorrow when I am home alone with my 2 and 6 year old girls.
I am afraid to try it again tonight ...
Your post is very encouraging, though ... thank you! I am so glad that this med is working for you. How long have you been taking it?
I know there is another thread just above mine, so forgive me for any repetition here ... I will start joining in up there.
Thanks again,
cindy
Just wanted to say thank you so much to both of you!cindy
> Yes, you should try Seroquel. The good thing about it is that you won't have to wait 4-6 weeks to "feel it" like the SSRIs. You will know within the first few days, if not first day.
>
> I have taken 30+ meds (including Lamictal, Lithium) over the past nine years, and this was the only drug to touch my anxiety/depression. I know every med affects everyone differently, so results will vary. Bless your heart and I hope you find something to help.
Posted by cindy lou on July 16, 2006, at 12:34:30
In reply to Re: Seroquel - scared to start - help » cindy lou, posted by Phillipa on July 15, 2006, at 19:28:52
Thanks Phillipa! I was so overwhelmed I didn't even look at any other threads ... I appreciate you directing me to the recent thread on Seroquel ... I will join in there!
cindy
> Scroll up U gotta have hope is having great results on it. Love Phillipa
Posted by UgottaHaveHOPE on July 16, 2006, at 23:42:22
In reply to Re: Seroquel - scared to start - help » Phillipa, posted by cindy lou on July 16, 2006, at 12:34:30
My primary diagnosis is GAD, but I also have some depression and OCD (they run a little bit together). Seroquel really hits the anxiety, which in turn makes me more active and less depressed.
I take 300mg of Seroquel with 2mg of Klonopin daily. It always works better with Klonopin.
Yes, it will make you feel groggy. I combat that with caffeine, when needed.
At least you gave it a try. I told you that you would feel its effect within hours. At least you tried it and know that it is not for you. (However, I would keep around for stressful times when you cant sleep). Michael
Posted by Emme on July 17, 2006, at 7:57:04
In reply to Re: Seroquel is a miracle (rhymes!), posted by cindy lou on July 16, 2006, at 12:32:44
> I took 12.5 mg. last night (just cut a 25 mg. in half), and was so dopey this morning that I had to go back to bed and I slept for 3 hoursYou haven't gone as low as you can. Before giving up on it, cut it in quarters and try 6.25 mg. Then if you're still tired in the a.m., follow Ugotta's advice and try some coffee.
> I am afraid to try it again tonight ...
Perhaps wait until the w/e and try it again when your husband will be around in the a.m. Good luck.
emme
Posted by cindy lou on July 17, 2006, at 8:07:48
In reply to Re: Seroquel is a miracle (rhymes!) » cindy lou, posted by Emme on July 17, 2006, at 7:57:04
Thanks Emme and UGotta ...
I might give the 6.25 mg a try next weekend. I did have coffee -- LOTS of it -- and tea, and diet Coke, and Dexedrine -- and nothing cut through the fog or exhaustion yesterday. It was brutal.
Still, I won't blame it all on the Seroquel. I did have a few-week run with Abilify, and had to take extra Klonapin and Dexedrine with it (even a few Vodka and tonics), so I could be "drying out" a bit from all of that. Perhaps a week off will help, and I can try again.
Thanks again for the support!
cindy
> You haven't gone as low as you can. Before giving up on it, cut it in quarters and try 6.25 mg. Then if you're still tired in the a.m., follow Ugotta's advice and try some coffee.
>
> > I am afraid to try it again tonight ...
>
> Perhaps wait until the w/e and try it again when your husband will be around in the a.m. Good luck.
>
> emme
Posted by Jimmyboy on July 19, 2006, at 15:42:11
In reply to Re: Seroquel is a miracle (rhymes!), emme, ugotta, posted by cindy lou on July 17, 2006, at 8:07:48
Today my doctor prescribed Seroquel for bipolar depression , he is starting me off on 100 mg and said to add another 100 after 4 days and add another 100 after another 4 days. But after reading this thread I am a bit worried about taking 100 mg b/c people said they were completely " knocked cold" after taking a much smaller dose.
So my question is , for those of you who take at least 300 mg , how bad is the drowsiness? do you get used to it?
Thanks,
This is the end of the thread.
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