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  • BDD Moderators: Keif’ Richards

Seroquel and Withdrawal

J

just_visiting

Bluelighter
Joined
Dec 2, 2004
Messages
52
Location
Michigan
I was prescribed Seroquel a few years back for Bipolar II and actually liked it and thought it worked well. The only problem I had with it was that at night time it didn't really leave many options.... If I forgot to take it, I would have withdrawal and while I did take it, I am sure I shouldn't have on the nights I went out drinking. Also being a student it didn't leave an option of pulling an all nighter to study or whatever.

My psychiatrist at the time ended up moving away and I decided I didn't want to take the Seroquel any more and went through the withdrawal and stopped. I haven't seen another psychiatrist until recently. I went to him for anxiety, but he asked what my last psychiatrist had treated me for and wrote me a prescription for Seroquel.

Now, I feel like I have a better hold on any type of "swings" than I did in the past, but lately have been getting worse and am not completely opposed to trying the medicine again. My question is if there is a way to take it effectively while not having to worry about possible withdrawal?? Like if I were to take it every other day or something instead of everyday.

I am guessing it is kind of a long shot and I will just have to pick between taking it completely or not at all, but I figured it was worth a try to ask.

Thanks!
 
well really to be fair im on seroquel 200mgs at night and 2x 25mg tablets in the day and i can understand your logic but your diagnosis wont have days of if you understand thats why you have 2 take it daily to control the symptoms of your diagnosis sorry 2 be the downer but you could get into all sorts of difficulties if its taken irregulary sorry but i hope ive clarified it 4 you.
 
pluss the dosage of seroquel last approximatly 12 hours after oral intake so you could be dosing just before or just after abad spell thats why its usally taken roughly the same each day to control the immediate symptoms see what i mean.
 
Why don't you tell your doctor your problem and ask to be switched to a different antipsychotic. Olanzapine (Zyprexa) and risperidone (Risperdal) are both good substitutes for Seroquel (neither of them have withdrawal after stopping them). They are less sedative and they work great also.
 
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okay heres the thing wit antipychotics being a 12 year psych med vet bipolar 1 and skizo if u are zoomin dont take em speciallyy zyprexa it will have bad bad effects im talkin random miniblack outs while doing things the feelin of restless arms they are terrible for that and by zoomin i mean manic.
 
Are you still seeing a doctor? What do you mean by getting "worse"? Maybe you need to be seen in the clinic again? Of course there are lots of meds to try -- when it absolutely, positively needs to be shut the f down, seroquel is a good choice -- but there are others -- what about Lamictal? That is a great mood stabilizer - if you haven't tried it, it might be another option. It's a miracle for me, except I'm allergic, of course.
 
Thanks for the replies!!

-wolverhamptonian...I figured I would get that response, just trying to find a loop hole lol. I overall am happy with how Seroquel works and was trying to get the best of both worlds I guess.

-kokaino...Thanks for the suggestion! Sometimes I don't think about the obvious. I also didn't really want to go through trying a bunch of medications and their side effects out but I will talk to him next time. I think I may have actually been prescribed Risperdal along with the Seroquel from my first doctor. I couldn't remember the name of it to tell the new doctor, so thanks again.

-freedomchild...I just started seeing a new doctor. I met with him for the first time last week and he just put me back on what my previous doctor had me on (for the most part). By getting worse I just mean feeling the swings more, less in control of my emotions than I have been. I had been doing really well (I am guessing all the fun chemicals from getting in a wonderful new, stable relationship helped) but now I can feel myself slipping a little again. As for Lamictal, I am also allergic lol.
 
Damn! Lamictal -- the wonder drug that nobody, anywhere can freaking take.

I did have to stop Seroquel when I got pregnant and it was really hard, so I appreciate you not wanting to have the withdrawals. I would just print out your original post and read it to his nurse. Cant' hurt, for the most part. Although, I'm sure they would question you drinking when you're swinging, yanno?
 
I took Seroquel for 2 years, and I have TMJ side effects and can't even tolerate it now. I don't really recommend it, actually... but, I'd rather that than Olanzapine due to weight gain.

Klonopin has mood-stabilizing properties.
 
Yea I probably would leave out the drinking part, that is more just a side note rather than the real issue anyway. I would just like to have the option of forgetting or not being able to take it one night for whatever reason without having to wake up sick. I will just ask if he can suggest or try something that wouldn't have those withdrawals like kokaino said.

But now I am wondering what to do until I next see him (in about 3 weeks). I know it is an opinion thing and ultimately up to me, but I am wondering if I should just take the Seroquel for the next few weeks and then see what he says about changing it or if I just shouldn't take it at all since I am hoping to try something else. I would rather not make a special appointment to meet with him since it isn't really an emergency...

Thanks again for all the replies, lol just needed help seeing the simple answer here. :)
 
Personally, I feel strongly that there is a reason that the meds were prescribed.

It really is life and death with mental illness, esp bipolar. I know a person who was prescribed a med but their doc wanted to wait a few days until he was back in the office to properly supervise. 5 days without meds = suicide of patient.

So, that extreme but true example said, I would just call the office and have a note sent over to the doc, in the meantime, take them as prescribed.

Ask if you are authorized to take a drug holiday once or twice a week with this med or if you can switch to something that you CAN take a drug holiday from twice a week for reasons a and b.
 
freedomchild said:
Damn! Lamictal -- the wonder drug that nobody, anywhere can freaking take.

I did have to stop Seroquel when I got pregnant and it was really hard, so I appreciate you not wanting to have the withdrawals. I would just print out your original post and read it to his nurse. Cant' hurt, for the most part. Although, I'm sure they would question you drinking when you're swinging, yanno?
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Lamictal is a wonder drug for my bipolar disorder that's for sure. If i was not on it i might be dead by now. If i need a anti-psychotic i usually take risperdal or if i'm really bad zyprexa since it's not covered for me. The problem with seroquel is that it takes too long of a time to kick in at too high of a dose.
 
paranoid android said:
Lamictal is a wonder drug for my bipolar disorder that's for sure. If i was not on it i might be dead by now. If i need a anti-psychotic i usually take risperdal or if i'm really bad zyprexa since it's not covered for me. The problem with seroquel is that it takes too long of a time to kick in at too high of a dose.
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I'm also on Lamictal, it is the only mood stabilizer that works. It was a miracle because the Depakote was making me almost suicidal and Lithium made me feel like a zombie.
 
wolverhamptonian said:
well really to be fair im on seroquel 200mgs at night and 2x 25mg tablets in the day and i can understand your logic but your diagnosis wont have days of if you understand thats why you have 2 take it daily to control the symptoms of your diagnosis sorry 2 be the downer but you could get into all sorts of difficulties if its taken irregulary sorry but i hope ive clarified it 4 you.
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my 10 year old son is on this ned as well but 50 2x daily and 200 at night,,, and also is on lamictal 25 in the day and 50 ay night.. was dianosed with pdd-noc, intermitted explosive disorder and a mood disorder-nos... he has maxd out the adderall and the vyvanse... and was on zoloft and abilfy with the other two... this seems to be a lot for a little boy.. but right now he is only on these neds for about a month.. i dont see a big change him him?? still lying and stealing and food hoarding and hitting other kids including his brothers.. and closing himself off.. unless he wants to manipulate the stuation like with the docters and theropists....,mybe u can let me know if there is a light at the end of the tunnell?
 
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