Just tried Seroquel last night and

[motherfooker]

WOW! this stuff is amazing! It literally knocked me out. All the years of trying benzos and z-drugs to sleep. Do you build up tolerance? I read mix reviews for tolerance. Whats a good dose to start with? Also, what side experiences do you experience?


Also does anyone know a cheaper website that sells this thats not made in India and rest of S.E. Asia?

[GoingBananas]

In my experience almost any dr will rx it if you explain the circumstances. Well, maybe not ANY but way more than benzos. As far as the side effects I could not stand the groggy feelings and the drugged dullness I get from anti-pychotics. But, to each their own and I have friends that love this stuff and it certainly seem to work for them!

[the chodesman]

Seroquel is not generic in the US. It can cause all kinds of problems, it's mostly for bipolar/schizophrenic symptoms. I stopped getting sleepy after a few weeks.

[sophie30]

I had a friend have nightmarish withdrawals after regular seroquel use, I used to take it occasionally for sleep and loved it too, I'd just say be careful how often you use it.

[cat2]

mother....

I am a healthcare professional and my area of specialty is psych. I deal with tons of folks on Seroquel. It is generally prescribed for Bipolar and for Schizophrenia. My daughter in law has schizophrenia and it works well to prevent her from hearing voices, so it is a pretty powerful medication. A side effect is that it makes patients tired and so is often prescribed at night for this reason. Other SEs include weight gain, dry mouth, and increase in cholesterol and triglycerides, constipation (just like PKs) as well as headaches...although these SEs are from patients who are required to take the med 1-4 x a day. They are not just using it for the SE of sleep. I would agree if you have symptomology MDs will prescribe because it is not considered an addictive medication. I've never taken it, and have not experience with its use strictly for the sleepiness effect.

Cat2

[randallstevens]

I'm prescribed Seroquel for its use as a "mood stabilizer," and while its been effective, I have to say I was iffy even taking it as prescribed given that there is still a good amount of uncertainty surrounding exactly why/how it works.

As a sleep aid I can tell you that you'll develop a tolerance rapidly if you take it multiple days in a row. By my 3-4th day on it, I didn't get drowsy at all. The only positive I can think of is that after a week off (6 months on) I got just as easily knocked out as I did the first night I took it.

[MaggieA]

@motherfooker, I'm not a health professional, but I have long-term experience with Seroquel, and, honestly, I <heart> Seroquel. I was first prescribed it by a psych in 2006 for a variety of calamitous things that were going on. Over time, I reduced my dose and now, what, 7? years later, I continue to take 50-100 mg/night and I sleep EVERY night. It's a miracle. A lot of the original "problems" that caused her to prescribe it to me in the first place were because I WASN'T sleeping, and that made me crazy.

In my experience, it does NOT lose it's potency, at all. I also order it for a friend, and he's been using it at 50-75 mg/night for about 3 years - same story. Maybe we're both actually psychotic! LOL. But I don't think so . . . at least, not as long as I'm sleeping every night. I often travel in India and buy it generic, OTC, very cheaply. I didn't go last year, and ordered from my stand-by for a lot of good, cheap generics - All Day Chemist. They're great. Cheap, good meds. Take cc's. 10-14 day shipping with guaranteed re-ship, which I've never had to use.

I've discovered that Seroquel (generic - quetiapine fumarate) isn't the same silver bullet for everyone that it is for me and my friend, but if it's working for you, it's a really, really good thing. I don't feel any "hangover." And even if my schedule is crazy and I only have 4-5 hours to sleep, I still take 50 mg and have no problem getting up and about. So that's my very happy story with Seroquel and with All Day Chemist as a very reliable (except for the recent pilot's strike, maybe) and inexpensive source. I can buy a year's supply for my friend and myself for around $125, I think the total came to last time. Shipping is $25, so look around and see if they have other products that you need. They'll ship them to you in a sturdy little box, very discreet. You will have to sign, but I've received from ADC several times WHILE other packages were hung-up or even lost. I sound like a shill, huh? But not at all, I promise. I PREFER being able to go to India and buy everything at the pharmacy!!!

[chris100]

I take 600mg at night and still wake up 2 or 3 times a night. When i first go to bed im out like a light. But about 2hrs into my sleep i start waking up. IM seeing my psych doctor June 5th and im going to ask him for a sleeping pill instead of taking Seroquel. It does nothing for my moods or my anxitey. Just helps me sleep a little at first. Its time for me to lay the law down with my psych. Im sick of all these AD HE IS GIVING ME. They dont help me. Its time to go down another road with him. And if he dies not like it, then its timw to find someone else that will understand what im going through. Life is tuff but you have to find the right doctor.

*This post was auto-merged. The following text was added 4 minutes after the last post:*

Is there a sleeping pill stronger than seroquel that you can take at night and feel ok in the morning?

[ssj.long]

Please understand the risk of tardive dyskinesia before taking quetiapine.

There have been many lawsuits for failure to disclose this potentially debilitating, irreversible side effect. It's rare, and symptoms generally build gradually so you can discontinue the medication. Still, very much worth noting.

Healthcare is in a very ugly place right now so many people are diagnosing if not prescribing for themselves. This isn't a soapbox, I'm in support of individuals' rights, I just like information to be as available as possible so you make informed decisions.

(..I think I'm going to add that little bit to my signature.)

[Kellison]

I've been on it(to help sleeping), for about 2 months. And ya, that first time you take it....get dizzy, you all of a sudden can't think. Just trying to crawl to bed before you pass out is an tough task. If you have insomnia i'd recommend you still keep your options open. I feel like i'm building a tolerance. Where you sometimes wanna take 2 instead of 1 to get a really good nights sleep. I can see how this will eventually lead to 6+ like @chris100 mentioned.
Also your appetite will increase. I get crazy hungry sometimes and seem to eat with no end. Finding balance is tough. Good luck

[chris100]

I've been on it(to help sleeping), for about 2 months. And ya, that first time you take it....get dizzy, you all of a sudden can't think. Just trying to crawl to bed before you pass out is an tough task. If you have insomnia i'd recommend you still keep your options open. I feel like i'm building a tolerance. Where you sometimes wanna take 2 instead of 1 to get a really good nights sleep. I can see how this will eventually lead to 6+ like @chris100 mentioned.
Also your appetite will increase. I get crazy hungry sometimes and seem to eat with no end. Finding balance is tough. Good luck

I think what i have to do is get off this medication and just try a sleeping pill. Im sure it will have less side effects than what im taking now. Thats what im going to tell my psych tomorrow. Lets get off the seroquel and start sleeping pills for my sleep. THE Seroquel does nothing for my moods at all. But doctors want people to take this for sleep and mood disorder. Its not helping with my mood disorder 100%. Its time for a change.

[TenaciousE]

Please understand the risk of tardive dyskinesia before taking quetiapine.

There have been many lawsuits for failure to disclose this potentially debilitating, irreversible side effect. It's rare, and symptoms generally build gradually so you can discontinue the medication. Still, very much worth noting.

Healthcare is in a very ugly place right now so many people are diagnosing if not prescribing for themselves. This isn't a soapbox, I'm in support of individuals' rights, I just like information to be as available as possible so you make informed decisions.

(..I think I'm going to add that little bit to my signature.)

Exactly BIG time lawsuits with this class of medications.

Another "failure to disclose" side effect of anti-psychotics (Seroquel, Zyprexa, Abilify) is diabetes.

Unless you chose to stay on these drugs forever, when you decide to stop you cannot quit cold turkey. Withdrawal from anti-psychotics must be done slowly in order to avoid unbearable WD symptoms including anxiety, insomnia, tremors and GI problems.

[Alternate]

I was offered this as an off label usage for regular anxiety disorder. Not panic but just anxiety. I refused.

Thanks @Aven for mentioning the side effect of metabolic syndrome or diabetes, people need to be aware of this.

This also is possible with anti depressants. Abilify was supposed to be the one that did not do this. I just don't trust these drugs personally. For those that really need them - that is great it is working as long as they monitor the side effects and have a Dr. giving these.

Re: other sleep aid - try Ambien - that works pretty well, but watch the first time you try it - some people have 'sleepwalking, driving and eating and shopping' problems on it.

[ClaraBell]

I took seroquel (300mg a day) for a while and never got used to its effects. If sleep is your only aim in taking it, I'd try doxlamine if you haven't already. I find it knocks me out in the same way, and while I do wake up a little groggy, I don't have the day long sedation that I did on seroquel. Doxylamine also has the advantage of being unscheduled and cheap.

By the by, I developed hypothyroidism whilst I was on seroquel; you need regular blood tests to check for this and a few other things if you're going to take it reasonably often.

[tirednurse]

I would use extreme caution with the use of seroquel. Do not use if you have a history of seizures or suicidal ideation. This medication also has a host of adverse reactions such as cognitive impairment, extrapyramidal symptoms, tardive dyskinesia, heart Palpitations, edema and weight gain just to name a few. I have had one patient that started on a low dose and then needed to be hospitalized soon after the first dose for she had become unresponsive. IMHO I would be afraid to self medicate with this drug.

[TenaciousE]

Was the Seroquel suggested by a doctor?

IME typically the first line prescription for insomnia other than benzos or Z-drugs is Trazadone.

[betsky]

@motherfooker

I was prescribed serequil back in 2005. I've discovered that ssri's do not work for me. They give me terrible mood swings, lethargy and worse of all with this one was I discovered myself having suicidal ideation for the first time in my life This was scripted for depression/anxiety, and not situational but endogenous.
Although I struggled with depression for many years this"miracle drug was
no miracle for me.
It is good to remember that everbody has the same general body parts etc.. but
the reactions to any medication will be highly variable person to person.

Drug trials are conducted by the pharmecuitical companies, supposedly
in a placebo blind study. I am not a consiracy theorist in any way, but the money spent to develop a new drug is atronomical and these companies are not going to introduce possible subjects who have the potential to develop those side effects which would prevent the FDA from approving their meds
when at all possible to use subjects not prone to these effects.
As to sleep effectiveness, as i said,this too would be variable depending on
the way your brain interacts chemically with the drug. If it works to help you sleep, Great.
I would simply caution any increasing dosages if the sedative effects were to wear off as mentioned by a few members previously. It's not the dosage , persay, but the way your brain may adapt to the sedating qualities of serequil, should
its effectiveness to put you to sleep slow down or stop.
As always these are imho and based on personal experiences
Betsky
P.S. one of the main reasons I agreed to try this med was its chance for weight gain. with M.S. I have struggled to maintain a healthy weight, so if you do NOT want to add a few pounds/kilos this is just a friendly reminder of a potential S.E.

[Perromaldido]

I don't think much of quietapine because the one and only time I wanted out from a complicated addiction caused by 100mgs vals + Gbl -Gamma Butyrolcatone- 25cc day I couldn't sleep for 10+ days in a row , seroquel was doing nothing forme. I was inapatient and finally the doc decided she'd stop q'pine and tapered me down on vals + IIRC phenobarb for GBL and that eventually worked, though it took 1 full month. Once out of thr climic I was prescribed gabapentin and that did it job. Since then I never screwed again with G and never again came even close to 10x10mg Vals/day

Perromaldido

[cat2]

I especially appreciate the comments of @tirednurse and @betsky...Along with lots of others...since increasing dosages without an MD supervising (simply for the reason that sleep effects are dimishing) could be so dangerous. The lethargy that seroquel may initially provide as a SE is intended to decrease over time, so that people who have to take the med daily to maintain sanity (bipolar or schizophrenics) can still lead a normal life and not walk around sedated all the time making them non-functional. I know that many of us on this board self-medicate, but I'm a bit of a wuss...I have fear and respect for meds that I have never been prescribed that have a potential for such dangerous SEs. I really want for readers here to use caution for your own wellbeing, so I appreciate that others have contributed valuable input and experience.

Cat2

[chris100]

Well today is the day i go see my psych doctor and tell him stop with the anti Depressants already. I have had enough and they dont work. I have a feeling im going to walk out of there today. He is not getting what im telling him, so we will see. I have tried it his way for the last 4 months so now he is going to try it my way. But i still get the feeling he is going to try Trazadone on me today. Thats the only one he has not tried on me yet. I need a quick fix for my anxitey. I have to figure out how to explain that to him.