![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 26 to 50 of 58. Go back in thread:
Posted by Sugarpuss on January 29, 2004, at 1:22:50
In reply to Re: Seroquel, posted by Doctor Feel Good on January 28, 2004, at 21:17:28
Wow, that's awful, Doctor Feelgood (I love that song, haha). I've taken 25mg of Seroquel three times now (I try not to use it often), and every time it's effectively put and kept me asleep, but every time except for one I've had very realistic, bizarre dreams and/or sleep paralysis. Last night after I took it I was so sure that I actually *crawled over my boyfriend and fell headfirst off of the bed* that I asked him about it when we got up and he looked at me like I was a lunatic. Fortunately even though I was SURE it had really happened, when it "happened" I was laughing, because -- well come on, picture a 23-year-old girl just randomly doing a slow-mo somersault over the side of her bed and collapsing in a fit of giggles because... well, that would be a really ridiculous thing to do!
I'm really familiar with that sort of dream and sleep paralysis though, and I've done enough research on it that it doesn't scare me anymore, so I'm okay, but obviously Seroquel isn't the answer for you. I'm sorry you had such a bad experience!
Posted by Sugarpuss on January 29, 2004, at 1:25:20
In reply to Re: Seroquel - Ambien, posted by EscherDementian on January 28, 2004, at 23:14:09
> 25mg seroquel affects me like pill-induced narcolepsy. When it was perscribed to me for anxiety, it turned the situation i was anxious about into a total fiasco or worse, because i would suddenly drop and sleep wherever i was- (airport, restaurant, and even work) -not to awaken for hours. My normally colorful and eventful dreams were weak, brown and boring.
Wow, how odd! I can see what you're saying about suddenly dropping -- I've taken it three times, and the second time I was sitting on my couch reading and was planning to move to the bed once I got sleepy and woke up, still sitting up, three hours later, quite confused, but I've never been unable to stay awake if I had to, and if anything it's made my dreams much MORE vivid.
>
> Ambien perscribed to me for sleep turned me into a furiously raging aggressor looking for someone to verbally abuse or something precious to tear up. For anyone who knows me, that is a shocking personality change that would have been thought impossible for me.Ambien just made me feel slightly hallucinogenic and didn't let me sleep for very long, although as a young teenager when I was on it I apparently had some kind of "episode" that they never told me the details of.
>
> Those are two meds that i will never never again use for those reasons.I don't blame you! Hopefully you have found/will find something that works.
>
Posted by Doctor Feel Good on January 29, 2004, at 1:51:08
In reply to Re: Seroquel, posted by Sugarpuss on January 29, 2004, at 1:22:50
At least you have a funny story. =) I've gotta call my doc tomorrow and ask what my next option is. I have a history of marijuana, cocaine, and alcohol dependence (I'm clean now, tan, and getting big from the gym which keeps me sober), so she said "Ambien would not be my first or second choice". I sure hope I can give it a try. I ordered 90 x 10mg generic ambien from Germany, but I don't intend on trying it until I've exhausted my options for sleep treatment. Right now it's 2:47am, I can't sleep and I'm watching Austin Powers 3. I'm laughing my butt off and I really don't care that I'm awake. It's so much better than last nights seroquel experience, I am just starting to notice my zombiness and sore neck going away, and I'm getting happy. Yay! ;)
Posted by EscherDementian on January 29, 2004, at 2:34:44
In reply to Re: Seroquel - Ambien » EscherDementian, posted by Doctor Feel Good on January 28, 2004, at 23:47:49
> That's awful. If Ambien did that to you, then your problems may stem from GABA anomalies.
>That's one that hasn't been suggested yet. But then, i'm a bit of a different bird, anyway...
>Perhaps you could look into Gabitril. It is prescribed for epilepsy, but I know of a couple friends who had it prescribed for anxiety, and they are doing quite well. Their anxiety was severe (they thought they were panic attacks).
>i no longer have the anxiety that i did when RXed the seroquel (a year and a half ago): my seemingly unreasonable anxiety increased (a precurser you might say) to the eventual release of full blown PTSD terror episodes. i believe that long term unrelenting childhood terror has an effect on the development of the amygdala, hippocampus, hypothalamus, etc. and causes a burnout that can make fear unrecognizable until one has the adult skills and safety to experience fear and terror. This was the case for me. In my case, the mixed blessing of erroneous RXing and my refusal of more "perscription experiments" is exactly what needed to happen when i began to experience fear, and my childhood experiences began to 'come up to be healed'. It's a rough ride -deeply- and tough work, but The Real Work, nonetheless. ~Genuine 'healing' IF done with a well-trained therapist with a honed and respectable repertoire of experience. (not kidding around: Therapist & Pdoc newbies beware) *whew* ...am still working with the tail end of it.
>Good luck buddy! P.S. Are you currently on other meds, and have u had a physical including a thyroid test?
>i could lol for a century if my answer to that question weren't so sad...
At a peak of my terrors (and before i found an appropriate therapist) i made a crisis MD apptmnt and insisted that my doc test full panel thyroid, hormones, liver, etc. AND full physical. i had not slept for 4 days and nights, and in 6 days all the liquid or food i'd been able to get down was 1/2 an orange and 1/2 a protein bar. i was in a state of extreme distress (near hysteria, shaking and frightened, uncontrollably crying) during the appointment & blood draw.
Two days later, some assistant phoned to say "Dr.____ says your test results came back and everything is 'Normal'." One-size-fits-all 'Normal'! My adrenal profile? Hormones? (the test read "female, mid-cycle")
i asked for the results to be mailed to me.
i shared the four pages of results with a Pdoc and began working with an Homeopath/MD (the tests presented an "interesting pattern" that the MDoc seemingly had no clue how to interpret...)Gosh, sorry for the rantishness.
i rarely write much here anymore, but it seems your questions opened the proverbial can of worms, dear DFG... or as i like to say: Too many kittens for not enough baskets. ;-)Or maybe i'm just glad to have my brain back,
EscherP.S.
Thank You for the excerpt and references. Good work!
Posted by Doctor Feel Good on January 29, 2004, at 2:44:37
In reply to Re: Seroquel - Ambien, posted by EscherDementian on January 29, 2004, at 2:34:44
It's great to hear that you've worked on your issues with a therapist. That's totally the way to go, and anybody who is on meds should be referred to a therapist as a requirement if undergoing med treatment. Sadly, psychiatrists feel the APA Ehethics Code does not apply to them, especially in one of its guiding principles where it is a psychiatrist/psychologist's duty to suggest other professionals who can extend the range of services/benefits to a client. I'm kinda tired to proofread this and check apa.org for the exact code, not to mention this cramped up laptop keyboard. Its 3:43am, and I still can't sleep. Best of luck to ya
Posted by EscherDementian on January 29, 2004, at 4:29:02
In reply to Re: Seroquel - Ambien » EscherDementian, posted by Doctor Feel Good on January 29, 2004, at 2:44:37
> It's great to hear that you've worked on your issues with a therapist. That's totally the way to go, and anybody who is on meds should be referred to a therapist as a requirement if undergoing med treatment.
>Thanks!
...aside: did it w/out meds.> I'm kinda tired to proofread this and check apa.org for the exact code, not to mention this cramped up laptop keyboard. Its 3:43am, and I still can't sleep. Best of luck to ya
>Thanx' again for the response and thought to proofread at all.
Hej~ try this for sleep? =-> Licorice Root tea. Best by Alvita/TwinLabs. *Sweet dreams when you finally get there,
Escher*DSCH can tell you much more (and eloquently) why it works/hp axis/etc. but i'm not sure he posts here anymore, and, like you, i'm too tired (2:30am here) to proofread, or even refer, esp. past posts...
Posted by Fourdaystil on February 11, 2004, at 1:06:05
In reply to Re: Seroquel, posted by Sugarpuss on January 18, 2004, at 11:21:47
I'm new to this board..was just searching longterm side effects of Seroquel on the internet and found this thread. Hopefully I can be of help and get some answers of my own as well!
I started taking Seroquel six years ago for bipolar disorder and anxiety issues. It was my miracle drug, didn't make me feel drugged and didn't make me feel antsy either. I slept at night (usually within 20 minutes of taking the med) and could function properly during the day.
Since then I have learned new coping techniques and have been able to decrease me dosage significantly. I've been very successful in doing this up until the final point of going medication-free. I can't kick the sleeping problems. Looking back now I realize that even before any of my emotional problems, I've had problems with insomnia.
So, now I'm stuck taking a very tiny pill every night to go to sleep. I can't sleep without it. When I started Seroquel it was brand new, so they didn't know the longterm side effects of Seroquel. My question is to anyone who took Seroquel for a long period of time and successfully went off of it. I want to know if there are any side effects that don't ever go away. For example, I have noticed that I get migraines now that I'm off of the medication, but I figure those will go away with time. It's just the withdrawl reaction of my body. But I need some better treatment for this sleeping problem.
To answer some of your questions (which it's kind of late to be answering them), these are the only side effects I've faced with Seroquel:
1) The first week of taking Seroquel, I was totally knocked out for 12-15 hours at a time. It was very difficult to get up in the morning. This wore off after the first week and I felt refreshed in the morning.
2) They say that weight gain is a side effect of Seroquel, but I have never had that problem. I stayed the same weight for most of the six years I was on the medication. I had gained a few extra pounds from Zyprexa and Zoloft previously and lost those pounds very quickly. But once I reached my normal weight, I maintained it without major diet or exercise.
3) Seroquel doesn't work well with alcohol. I usually would skip my meds if I drank, which didn't really have bad effects on me. The alcohol put me to sleep, and I woke up pretty early the next morning without so much as a hangover. People never understood how I could wake up so early in the morning after a night out, but it worked out for me. Seroquel doesn't stay in your system for long, so you can be flexible with it and your lifestyle. If you are afraid of it interacting badly with something, you can skip out on it for that time...just be careful about how long that other thing will stay in your system.
4) I think you will find that Seroquel will help with your panic disorder. Actually, I found I didn't need another medication to help with the Seroquel.It was my lifesaver for a very difficult time in my life, and I would recommend to anyone in a similar situation as I was and it sounds like you are very similar to me. Hope it works out!
Posted by Doctor Feel Good on February 11, 2004, at 1:25:31
In reply to Re: Seroquel, posted by Fourdaystil on February 11, 2004, at 1:06:05
> I'm new to this board..was just searching longterm side effects of Seroquel on the internet and found this thread. Hopefully I can be of help and get some answers of my own as well!
Welcome! Seroquel has been a life saver for way more people than as a hassle. Some like myself didnt wish I we were alive the day/week I took it from serious side effects. (i.e. paralyzation, hearing screams, seeing beasts with claws, clawing me which I felt) You are very intuitive and it is great to see you realize you had insomnia before seroquel. If u cant sleep while off it, you may need to stick with it, change medication, or excercise. Heck, if the tiny dose of seroquel works for sleep , keep it up. Long term problems stem from long term D2 Dopamine 2 blockage. There are tests your doctor can do within minutes to see if you have any TD or EPS symptoms. It sounds like you tolerated a high dosage quite nicely. It's great to hear someone doing so well. Good job, use this board for info, but you should always check with your Doctor. Good Luck!
> I started taking Seroquel six years ago for bipolar disorder and anxiety issues. It was my miracle drug, didn't make me feel drugged and didn't make me feel antsy either. I slept at night (usually within 20 minutes of taking the med) and could function properly during the day.
>
> Since then I have learned new coping techniques and have been able to decrease me dosage significantly. I've been very successful in doing this up until the final point of going medication-free. I can't kick the sleeping problems. Looking back now I realize that even before any of my emotional problems, I've had problems with insomnia.
>
> So, now I'm stuck taking a very tiny pill every night to go to sleep. I can't sleep without it. When I started Seroquel it was brand new, so they didn't know the longterm side effects of Seroquel. My question is to anyone who took Seroquel for a long period of time and successfully went off of it. I want to know if there are any side effects that don't ever go away. For example, I have noticed that I get migraines now that I'm off of the medication, but I figure those will go away with time. It's just the withdrawl reaction of my body. But I need some better treatment for this sleeping problem.
>
> To answer some of your questions (which it's kind of late to be answering them), these are the only side effects I've faced with Seroquel:
>
> 1) The first week of taking Seroquel, I was totally knocked out for 12-15 hours at a time. It was very difficult to get up in the morning. This wore off after the first week and I felt refreshed in the morning.
> 2) They say that weight gain is a side effect of Seroquel, but I have never had that problem. I stayed the same weight for most of the six years I was on the medication. I had gained a few extra pounds from Zyprexa and Zoloft previously and lost those pounds very quickly. But once I reached my normal weight, I maintained it without major diet or exercise.
> 3) Seroquel doesn't work well with alcohol. I usually would skip my meds if I drank, which didn't really have bad effects on me. The alcohol put me to sleep, and I woke up pretty early the next morning without so much as a hangover. People never understood how I could wake up so early in the morning after a night out, but it worked out for me. Seroquel doesn't stay in your system for long, so you can be flexible with it and your lifestyle. If you are afraid of it interacting badly with something, you can skip out on it for that time...just be careful about how long that other thing will stay in your system.
> 4) I think you will find that Seroquel will help with your panic disorder. Actually, I found I didn't need another medication to help with the Seroquel.
>
> It was my lifesaver for a very difficult time in my life, and I would recommend to anyone in a similar situation as I was and it sounds like you are very similar to me. Hope it works out!
>
Posted by Lyrical13 on February 12, 2004, at 6:26:26
In reply to Re: Seroquel, posted by Doctor Feel Good on February 11, 2004, at 1:25:31
Seroquel has been a miracle for me too. Back in Sept when i had maxed out my Effexor and was still having a terrible time with depression/ anxiety...couldn't even function at work..I was falling apart. Adding Seroquel turned things around in a matter of days. I got through the fall much better than I ever remember. I was actually happy about returning to work after Christmas break..usually I feel a little depressed.
Here's the question for me. Last year in the spring (approx March through June really) I was on 150mg Effexor. I was more hypomanic than I ever remember being. First time I ever felt euphoric. Lots of spending sprees and decreased need for sleep. At that time we still thought I had depression w/ GAD. Now realize it's actually BP2. Seroquel was first being used to augment Effexor for depression/GAD. Now we are increasing the dosage to use it as a mood stabilizer. Currenlty on 225mg Effexor, 75mg Seroquel. (I am very sensitive to meds and often require only pediatric dosage) Working our way up to 100-200 mg of Seroquel and then plan to decrease teh Effexor to 150 or possibly 75mg.
I have been absolutely crawling out of my skin. Hyper, can't sit still, can't shut up. Worked out yesterday afternoon and did some yoga..that helped some. But still very jumpy/antsy...flying high. I have read that Effexor can cause hypomania so I'm wondering if it is exacerbating my hypomania that's part of BP2. If Seroquel is giving the Effexor a boost is that even adding to that effect rather than stabilizing me? I left a msg for pdoc asking about decreasing Effexor now to 150mg as we continue to increase the Seroquel. Haven't heard back yet. Does that make sense to anyone else besides me? Has anyone had similar experiences or using Effexor with Seroquel to treat BP2? Thanks in advance for any feedback.
L13
Posted by Burgany on February 23, 2004, at 23:03:33
In reply to Re: Seroquel, posted by Doctor Feel Good on February 11, 2004, at 1:25:31
Hi there,
I'm new to this site but I am so glad to have found it..Its nice to find people with similar issues as I don't really talk to anyone else about this part of my life. I was diagnosed with a mood disorder recently after years of being told I was just depressed and trying numerous anti-depressants which never had any positive effects. I was originally put on Lamotrigine and Risperdal. I am currently up to 200mg of Lamotrigine and have yet to notice any effect but you increase so slowly on this drug. I just stopped the Risperdal as it seemed to make me more anxious and suffer more insomnia than before I was on it( I was prescribed it for help with sleep and it is supposed to work well with Lamotrigine.) So as a substitute I was given Seroquel...I have yet to take it but I'm a little nervous after what I have read here but the thought of a good night sleep is too good not to give this pill a shot. I too suffer from a eating disorder and am very worried about weight gain. I have heard that Seroquel can help with eating disorders. Does anyone know anything about that? My Dr suggested 50mg a night to start with maybe an increase later. Is it okay to start at 25mg? Also if anyone has any info on Lamotrigine I would love to hear as my searches haven't turned up much.
Hope everybody has a wonderful Sleep!
Posted by Doctor Feel Good on February 23, 2004, at 23:39:15
In reply to Re: Seroquel and Lamotrigine, posted by Burgany on February 23, 2004, at 23:03:33
Seroquel and risperidone are antipsychotic/anti-mania pills at high dosage. In low doses, i.e. 25mg Seroquel, they can be prescribed for sleep. Everyone is different, and medication will act differently on an indiviudual basis i.e. look up effexor, some love it, some hate it, and some have high/little/no problems coming off of it. I was always taught to slatt at the lowest dose, and titrate up (up the dosage)depending on how the client feels a week later. Of course I can not see your medcharts, therefore I would never suggest 50mg of seroquel to start. I would prefer to start them at 25mg, and then after 2-3 days suggest 50mg, unless my client called me and said "I can't take this for these reasons ________ " I know some people who broke their 25mg pill into 12.5mg to start. When it comes to psychiatric medicine, there will always be people that range from loving it to dreading it. Some info FYI: Seroquel is the newest of its class of drugs to come out, with less sideffects, and less of an EPS (Extra Pyramidal Symptom) profile. (EPS symptoms: no motivation, tardive dyskinsia, shakes, etc.) Good luck, and bring these possibilities up to you Dr. They would never have u start at 50mg unless they had a reason to, so see why. Good luck!
> Hi there,
> I'm new to this site but I am so glad to have found it..Its nice to find people with similar issues as I don't really talk to anyone else about this part of my life. I was diagnosed with a mood disorder recently after years of being told I was just depressed and trying numerous anti-depressants which never had any positive effects. I was originally put on Lamotrigine and Risperdal. I am currently up to 200mg of Lamotrigine and have yet to notice any effect but you increase so slowly on this drug. I just stopped the Risperdal as it seemed to make me more anxious and suffer more insomnia than before I was on it( I was prescribed it for help with sleep and it is supposed to work well with Lamotrigine.) So as a substitute I was given Seroquel...I have yet to take it but I'm a little nervous after what I have read here but the thought of a good night sleep is too good not to give this pill a shot. I too suffer from a eating disorder and am very worried about weight gain. I have heard that Seroquel can help with eating disorders. Does anyone know anything about that? My Dr suggested 50mg a night to start with maybe an increase later. Is it okay to start at 25mg? Also if anyone has any info on Lamotrigine I would love to hear as my searches haven't turned up much.
> Hope everybody has a wonderful Sleep!
>
>
Posted by sugarpuss on February 24, 2004, at 5:41:30
In reply to Re: Seroquel and Lamotrigine, posted by Burgany on February 23, 2004, at 23:03:33
I don't know anything about Seroquel relating to eating disorders but it seems that getting the munchies is actually a common side effect; I dig that because it's easy enough to just ignore them and I'm VERY VERY not cool with pills that make me nauseous, I'll take the munchies over queasiness ANY day.
I take Seroquel as needed for sleep, and I've never needed more than 50mg to knock me out (and 50mg will REALLY knock me out for a long time). I don't take it daily; I alternate between that and just over-the-counter sleep aids so that they'll both still work.
The first like, two times I took the stuff, it gave me very bizarre lucid dreams/sleep paralysis, which scares some people but I've experienced it before and it didn't bother me, but again, even with an increased dose that only happened the first time or two. Other than that the only side effect *I've* gotten is some morning grogginess but you get used to the medication pretty quickly and that goes away (or at least it did in my case).
It's worth a shot -- for me, I take one, and I can stay up if I want to (although I feel very "flatlined" if that makes sense) but if I lie down and close my eyes I fall asleep very quickly. If I'm sitting reading a book or something sometimes I just suddenly wake up all, what the hell?
So far it's proven the most effective prescription sleep medicine for me. Hopefully it'll help for you.
I was on Risperdal years ago and it made me a zombie -- I have to wonder if since it's the same class of drug as Seroquel if Seroquel too will increase your anxiety, but (I'm no doctor, but...) it seems weird that an anti-psychotic medication would give you anxiety. It has the opposite effect on me, that's for sure.
But give it a go -- hopefully it'll work, keep us posted!
Posted by Doctor Feel Good on February 24, 2004, at 20:50:51
In reply to Re: Seroquel and Lamotrigine, posted by sugarpuss on February 24, 2004, at 5:41:30
Seroquel is the newest antipsychotic and reports to have less of those side effects than others. Many meds including antidepressants/antipsychotics, can give anxiety for weeks because the brain needs at least 3-4 to "down regulate" which means less receptors. The more receptors you have the more stimulation u will get. That's why SSRIs claim 3-4+ weeks plus. The med works quicker, but the brain needs to reduce it's receptors due to the increased amt of serotonin. The brain creates extra receptors when there is too little, and 3-4 weeks+ it reduces the amt of receptors if there is a higher concentration of that neurotransmitter. They work (not antipsychotics) by forming a barrier in front on the transmitter, that way its only the receptor that can get serotonin, not the transmitter and receptor combined.
> I don't know anything about Seroquel relating to eating disorders but it seems that getting the munchies is actually a common side effect; I dig that because it's easy enough to just ignore them and I'm VERY VERY not cool with pills that make me nauseous, I'll take the munchies over queasiness ANY day.
>
> I take Seroquel as needed for sleep, and I've never needed more than 50mg to knock me out (and 50mg will REALLY knock me out for a long time). I don't take it daily; I alternate between that and just over-the-counter sleep aids so that they'll both still work.
>
> The first like, two times I took the stuff, it gave me very bizarre lucid dreams/sleep paralysis, which scares some people but I've experienced it before and it didn't bother me, but again, even with an increased dose that only happened the first time or two. Other than that the only side effect *I've* gotten is some morning grogginess but you get used to the medication pretty quickly and that goes away (or at least it did in my case).
>
> It's worth a shot -- for me, I take one, and I can stay up if I want to (although I feel very "flatlined" if that makes sense) but if I lie down and close my eyes I fall asleep very quickly. If I'm sitting reading a book or something sometimes I just suddenly wake up all, what the hell?
>
> So far it's proven the most effective prescription sleep medicine for me. Hopefully it'll help for you.
>
> I was on Risperdal years ago and it made me a zombie -- I have to wonder if since it's the same class of drug as Seroquel if Seroquel too will increase your anxiety, but (I'm no doctor, but...) it seems weird that an anti-psychotic medication would give you anxiety. It has the opposite effect on me, that's for sure.
>
> But give it a go -- hopefully it'll work, keep us posted!
Posted by Simus on February 24, 2004, at 21:23:46
In reply to Re: Seroquel and Lamotrigine » sugarpuss, posted by Doctor Feel Good on February 24, 2004, at 20:50:51
>Many meds including antidepressants/antipsychotics, can give anxiety for weeks because the brain needs at least 3-4 to "down regulate" which means less receptors. The more receptors you have the more stimulation u will get. That's why SSRIs claim 3-4+ weeks plus. The med works quicker, but the brain needs to reduce it's receptors due to the increased amt of serotonin. The brain creates extra receptors when there is too little, and 3-4 weeks+ it reduces the amt of receptors if there is a higher concentration of that neurotransmitter. They work (not antipsychotics) by forming a barrier in front on the transmitter, that way its only the receptor that can get serotonin, not the transmitter and receptor combined.
Dr. FG,
Do you know if any permanent damage is done by ADs? Is the AD "withdrawal" actually from "up regulating", if there is such a term? How long does this process take? Thanks in advance.
Posted by sugarpuss on February 24, 2004, at 21:29:42
In reply to Re: Seroquel and Lamotrigine » sugarpuss, posted by Doctor Feel Good on February 24, 2004, at 20:50:51
<<Seroquel is the newest antipsychotic and reports to have less of those side effects than others. Many meds including antidepressants/antipsychotics, can give anxiety for weeks because the brain needs at least 3-4 to "down regulate" which means less receptors. The more receptors you have the more stimulation u will get. That's why SSRIs claim 3-4+ weeks plus. The med works quicker, but the brain needs to reduce it's receptors due to the increased amt of serotonin. The brain creates extra receptors when there is too little, and 3-4 weeks+ it reduces the amt of receptors if there is a higher concentration of that neurotransmitter. They work (not antipsychotics) by forming a barrier in front on the transmitter, that way its only the receptor that can get serotonin, not the transmitter and receptor combined.>>
Huh, I had no idea, you learn something new every day. Perhaps the reason *I* didn't have that side effect is that I'm on Klonopin, so anxiety is hard to achieve, not that I'm complaining.
Posted by Doctor Feel Good on February 24, 2004, at 23:50:08
In reply to Re: Seroquel and Lamotrigine, posted by sugarpuss on February 24, 2004, at 21:29:42
Good call. Many people are prescribed ativan/lorazepam or clonopin/clonazepam, to get over the initial anxiety, or insomnia.
Not everyone gets side effects, or they may get different, or none.
> <<Seroquel is the newest antipsychotic and reports to have less of those side effects than others. Many meds including antidepressants/antipsychotics, can give anxiety for weeks because the brain needs at least 3-4 to "down regulate" which means less receptors. The more receptors you have the more stimulation u will get. That's why SSRIs claim 3-4+ weeks plus. The med works quicker, but the brain needs to reduce it's receptors due to the increased amt of serotonin. The brain creates extra receptors when there is too little, and 3-4 weeks+ it reduces the amt of receptors if there is a higher concentration of that neurotransmitter. They work (not antipsychotics) by forming a barrier in front on the transmitter, that way its only the receptor that can get serotonin, not the transmitter and receptor combined.>>
>
> Huh, I had no idea, you learn something new every day. Perhaps the reason *I* didn't have that side effect is that I'm on Klonopin, so anxiety is hard to achieve, not that I'm complaining.
Posted by katia on February 25, 2004, at 14:33:28
In reply to Re: Seroquel and Lamotrigine, posted by Burgany on February 23, 2004, at 23:03:33
**Hi,
I take Seroquel for sleep. The most I've ever taken has been 75mg. I started at 7mg for months. Lately I've taken 25mg and it's enough. I have had a little bit of problem with weight - just unable to get it off. Harder than before. My system is sensitive. Little does lots for me - good and bad.
It's been a great help with sleep.
katia
> Hi there,
> I'm new to this site but I am so glad to have found it..Its nice to find people with similar issues as I don't really talk to anyone else about this part of my life. I was diagnosed with a mood disorder recently after years of being told I was just depressed and trying numerous anti-depressants which never had any positive effects. I was originally put on Lamotrigine and Risperdal. I am currently up to 200mg of Lamotrigine and have yet to notice any effect but you increase so slowly on this drug. I just stopped the Risperdal as it seemed to make me more anxious and suffer more insomnia than before I was on it( I was prescribed it for help with sleep and it is supposed to work well with Lamotrigine.) So as a substitute I was given Seroquel...I have yet to take it but I'm a little nervous after what I have read here but the thought of a good night sleep is too good not to give this pill a shot. I too suffer from a eating disorder and am very worried about weight gain. I have heard that Seroquel can help with eating disorders. Does anyone know anything about that? My Dr suggested 50mg a night to start with maybe an increase later. Is it okay to start at 25mg? Also if anyone has any info on Lamotrigine I would love to hear as my searches haven't turned up much.
> Hope everybody has a wonderful Sleep!
>
>
Posted by Burgany on February 26, 2004, at 12:00:25
In reply to Re: Seroquel and Lamotrigine » Burgany, posted by katia on February 25, 2004, at 14:33:28
Thanks everyone for your input. I have taken 25mg for three nights now. I don't find that it knocks me out for quite a while but when It does I am out cold for 9 hrs or more. I find it really hard to get up but after a hour or so It wears off. As for the anxiety I have not felt any calming effects from Seroquel. Maybe the Lamotrigine will kick in soon. Sometimes I forget what it's like to be me....I'm not sure if I was better off before becoming a guinea pig. Everyday living and funtioning shouldn't be this complicated.
Posted by lauram on February 26, 2004, at 19:15:54
In reply to Re: Seroquel, posted by iso_ananda on January 18, 2004, at 13:23:52
I am on Lamictal 175mg and will go up to 200mg next week. Although I experience some anxiety with each dose increase, it eventually goes away.
I have been on Seroquel two years to help control my hypomanic episodes and it has helped. My sleep has also been great. When I first started it I was very groggy the next morning but that eventually went away. I always enjoy a good night sleep on the dose of 75mgs a night. If I take it on an empty stomach it works within 20 minutes. Sleep is very important as when I don't sleep I can feel myself starting to cycle again. My Pdoc says that they now are finding out that low doses of Seroquel are helpful for BPII in controlling rapid cycling. This is just my experience.
Posted by Lyrical13 on February 26, 2004, at 22:52:59
In reply to Re: Seroquel » iso_ananda, posted by lauram on February 26, 2004, at 19:15:54
That's good to know re: Seroquel and BP2. That's what I'm taking it for (along with Effexor). I've noticed something..I'm not sure if it's the Seroquel or if it's BP becoming more pronounced. My irritable moods are more irritable than I ever remember them. I feel like I'm possessed by a demon or something. I really just get so irritated at times I just want to rip someone's head off. Unfortunately my dh is usually the target and I feel really bad about that. I don't know how he puts up with me. Sometimes it' like this volcano rising within adn you're trying to keep it from erupting, but the lava keeps rising. Until finally you can't contain it any more.
But, anyway, does anyone have jumpy legs? Feel like you have teh heebie jeebies in lower legs and ankles? This usually happends in evening. That's also when i get majorly irritable. Maybe Serquel withdrawal?
Thanks TTFN
Posted by Doctor Feel Good on February 27, 2004, at 1:34:43
In reply to Re: Seroquel, posted by Lyrical13 on February 26, 2004, at 22:52:59
I'd really like to give you good advice. However, I need to know what you have been diagnosed with, and how long you have been taking each med. Starting dose to current dose. I wouldn't feel comfortable giving you an answer without that info. Also, if you have been to a doctor to test your thyroid level, and amylase and lipase test.
> That's good to know re: Seroquel and BP2. That's what I'm taking it for (along with Effexor). I've noticed something..I'm not sure if it's the Seroquel or if it's BP becoming more pronounced. My irritable moods are more irritable than I ever remember them. I feel like I'm possessed by a demon or something. I really just get so irritated at times I just want to rip someone's head off. Unfortunately my dh is usually the target and I feel really bad about that. I don't know how he puts up with me. Sometimes it' like this volcano rising within adn you're trying to keep it from erupting, but the lava keeps rising. Until finally you can't contain it any more.
>
> But, anyway, does anyone have jumpy legs? Feel like you have teh heebie jeebies in lower legs and ankles? This usually happends in evening. That's also when i get majorly irritable. Maybe Serquel withdrawal?
>
> Thanks TTFN
Posted by PoohBear on February 27, 2004, at 12:20:02
In reply to Re: Seroquel, posted by Lyrical13 on February 26, 2004, at 22:52:59
Effexor can cause jumpy legs and arms. It gets better with time. I'm on 150mg Effexor per day and 100mg Seroquel per night for sleep and mood. The sleep is great and my moods are more even (My pDoc thinks I'm atypical Bipolar, not Bipolar II).
Tony
> That's good to know re: Seroquel and BP2. That's what I'm taking it for (along with Effexor). I've noticed something..I'm not sure if it's the Seroquel or if it's BP becoming more pronounced. My irritable moods are more irritable than I ever remember them. I feel like I'm possessed by a demon or something. I really just get so irritated at times I just want to rip someone's head off. Unfortunately my dh is usually the target and I feel really bad about that. I don't know how he puts up with me. Sometimes it' like this volcano rising within adn you're trying to keep it from erupting, but the lava keeps rising. Until finally you can't contain it any more.
>
> But, anyway, does anyone have jumpy legs? Feel like you have teh heebie jeebies in lower legs and ankles? This usually happends in evening. That's also when i get majorly irritable. Maybe Serquel withdrawal?
>
> Thanks TTFN
Posted by bruce_w6 on March 5, 2004, at 12:17:09
In reply to Seroquel and Lamotrigine, posted by bruce_w6 on March 4, 2004, at 19:15:53
Is anyone taking this combo? I am up to 150 mg Lamictal and can't sleep well at night. I take my lamictal in the moring.
Posted by Emme on March 5, 2004, at 17:06:55
In reply to Seroquel and Lamotrigine, posted by bruce_w6 on March 5, 2004, at 12:17:09
> Is anyone taking this combo? I am up to 150 mg Lamictal and can't sleep well at night. I take my lamictal in the moring.
>
>I've taken them together, with a couple of other things. I think it can be a good combo. Just make sure you dose the seroquel carefully so that you get the desired effects without being too sedated. If you are sensitive and find 25 mg too much, go ahead and chop up the tablets.
Posted by bruce_w6 on March 5, 2004, at 18:56:04
In reply to Re: Seroquel and Lamotrigine » bruce_w6, posted by Emme on March 5, 2004, at 17:06:55
What else do you take? Have you ever heard of Lithium Orotate?
> > Is anyone taking this combo? I am up to 150 mg Lamictal and can't sleep well at night. I take my lamictal in the moring.
> >
> >
>
> I've taken them together, with a couple of other things. I think it can be a good combo. Just make sure you dose the seroquel carefully so that you get the desired effects without being too sedated. If you are sensitive and find 25 mg too much, go ahead and chop up the tablets.
>
>
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