Seroquel

[Deleted member 1860]

I'm not on seroquel myself b/c I wanted to try other antipsychotics first due to the side effects. Everyone I've known personally who has been on seroquel has had major problems with weight gain.

 

[fin]

I have not had a major problem with weight gain on Seroquel, but I have only been on them since last September-October, and I have also been on a low dosage. I don't know of anybody else taking them so I can't add anything to this. And I will be coming off them over the next couple of weeks also.

I do know though; that some of the ingredients that are use to bind the chemicals themselves can cause hunger pangs and increase appetite. I found a few years back while taking Venlafaxine-Effexor that changes in Brand altered my apetite, gave me cravings and temporarliy changed my metabolism. So having worked through this with my pharmacist I was able to stay with a brand that did not contain those same binders. I am NOT talking about the chemical composition of these meds here; but the content that is used to make the chemicals into tablet form so that we are able to take and ingest them. It was this difference between brands that I found to be the problem that I had.

I hope that this will help you.

~fin

I would like to say again, ask, and also try to listen and learn what your body is saying to you. But never be afraid to ask questions please try to find your own voice, because everyone is different, and we all react to medications differently, what is good or bad for one may not be for all. PLease try to remember that we are all individual and as such we need to try to be seen this way by doctors also, because sometimes they forget and sometimes it is up to us to remind them.

 

[freya]

Freya I think Tlight is saying here that she has been prescribed and despite not being keen on meds she is finding it helps. I would not suggest ever changing doses with a doctor being involved, as it can and is a dangerous thing to do.

Fin, I never suggested to lower meds without a doctor's consent.

I do feel that sometimes a person needs to take a certain medication for say one or two years to regain stability, and after that lowering them can be considered. WITH consent of a good doctor.

With regard to weight gain; I managed to lose a lot of weight while taking a low dosage of seroquel.
Not everyone gets fat on it. You will have to weigh the pro's and contra's carefully for yourself.
I know that I stuck with psychiatric medications even when they had bad side effect because I valued how they helped me mentally.

Something that helped me with the urge to eat more was developing a habit of taking fruit or carrots and celery sticks rather than to binge on other foods.

Freya

 

[TLight]

Freya;
Thanks for the advice and congrats on losing weight while on it.

The last couple of days my appetite seems to be more under control than it was previously, so I'm relieved.

 

[fin]

Freya I did not suggest that you had recommended coming off meds without a doctor, I was trying to reiterate something I did not think I had been clear on previously. I have seen first hand what harm people can do to themselves if they do not regulate their medication, and it is something I feel strongly enough to repeat each time I try to answer any question regarding meds. I am sorry if it did not come across that way or I did not make myself clear enough.

I was trying to explain that from how I understood TLights first post she seemed to be getting on with the Seroquel fine so far.

And I also did not gain weight on Seroquel Freya. I wrote that sometimes the binder used in the manufacture of tablets can cause unusual apetite changes, and carbohydrate cravings. And that I found could depend on the brand.

I am sorry if that was not clear.

 

[Footprints in the sand]

Hey, I have been taking Seroquel for three years now. I started taking 100mgs and have now worked my way up to 175mgs. I was not aware of anything about this drug my doctor just said it would help me sleep. I have gained 100 pounds, and when I wake up in the morning it takes me hours just to be able to think. I feel like I am not myself anymore so I am trying to lower it down slowly by 25mgs. I hope I can get off the drug. But I'm also a bit worried because it helps me slow and helps my anxiety but I guess we'll see what happens. Write me back what you think.

 

[yell]

I have had a VERY similar experience to Fin's first post in this thread. The doses and names vary, but my experience with seroquel began in the hospital trauma unit last summer. I was taking approximately 600mg-700mg a day. Needless to say I was over medicated and under educated about my condition and treatment. When I was kicked out of the unit they essentially gave me a weeks supply of meds and said go see your doctor. Well, I was in no condition to do anything for myself yet and after the insane withdrawal symptoms I started to experience, I ended back in the emergency room.
-I do not understand why so many competent doctors seem to ignore withdrawal problems. Med changes are hard enough, but the withdrawal symptoms can knock you down for awhile.
Anyways, today I have some back-up seroquel (25mg doses) for when flashbacks get overwhelming and I can't get back to reality. However, I rarely use it because I don't want to sleep all the time and it makes me too groggy to work. My problem with sleep is that the nightmares are too exhausting that I am more tired when I get up in the morning. What I have chosen instead is to use marijuana. It helps me slow down, relax, think only a few thoughts at a time and dull the pain of physical flashbacks. I am not suggesting this for everyone and my doctors do know about my medication choice. I do agree with Fin that being involved in all parts of your recovery can only make your recovery better. I have had to defer to the doctors orders at times (such as getting rest or with meds), but I have also learned how to listen to my body first and often, and take those cues seriously.
Prior to seroquel my doctor convinced me to take a few different anti-axieties by explaining that in my then condition, the side effects were not as important as me getting relief. This same statement was said at the hospital and while I agree with it to some extent (as I was suicidal), I think that the doctors just went to the meds and thought that would take care of most of it...and it doesn't.
I am glad to know that you are getting relief. Between lorazapam/ativan, clonazepam, diazepam, seroquel and whatever else I had, I do like the seroquel the best for how it works with the least amount of side effects. Diazepam gave me the weirdest nightmares.
It's awesome you're asking questions.
Take care

 

[a3a2]

TLight, I am curious if your headache is completely one-sided. If yes, you may want to check out hemicrania-continua, a rare form (and often misdiagnosed) of migraine.

 

[sigh]

I was on it for a short bit. I stay on the way low side of anti-psychotics too. If it helps you sort things out, think clearly, and sleep better, then I'm all for it.

I got a little chubb on mine.

 

[Keenbean]

Hi all! I am on seroquel for my bipolar and have been for a few years now. I am currently on 750mg per day, which is a pretty huge dosage and is usually only used for people with bipolar or schizophrenia.

Whilst it has kept me reasonably well compared to all the other types of medication I have been on, I only really take it as a last resort. It is really strong stuff and knocks me out every time I take it. I take the whole dose at bedtime, but am still very sedated for most of each morning, which is pretty inconvenient. In addition, it has ruined my thyroid function and I am now on permanent medication for hypothyroidism as well. I also put on some weight with this medication- it sounds like most people do. I eat well and exercise every day but it is quite hard to maintain my weight. Quite frustrating, especially given that I have been treated for eating disorders in the past.

I have come off seroquel several times because I am concerned about the long term side effects. It is linked to diabetes and also high cholesterol, which in turn is linked to no end of other health issues. Whenever I came off it I became ill again, and now I acccept that I will probably have to take it forever. I simply cannot stay well without it.

I think a low dose just for use with anxiety or as a sleep aid is probably not too dangerous, but even so I would use it sparingly where possible. I would think it would only be used with a very low dose for PTSD, and wouldn't do too much harm....if it makes it easier to cope then I wouldn't worry too much about taking it for a while. But I would try not to become dependent on it- as others have mentioned, the withdrawal symptoms are awful.

Best wishes, KB