News The Use Of Seroquel In The Treatment Of Ptsd

[Bilby]

I watched this interview yesterday. I found it quite interesting, but more from the point of view that there was very little to support the argument that the use of Seroquel in the treatment of PTSD isn't appropriate:

http://www.abc.net.au/am/content/2013/s3744902.htm

Thoughts anyone?

It seems to me that the two soldiers who were undergoing treatment may well have been over-medicated based on how they were feeling, but the opinion of the medical professional interviewed, who suggests that the use of Seroquel for the treatment of PTSD is an "indicator of poor quality treatment" just doesn't sit right with me.

 

[Deleted member 1860]

I think the interview focused on the wrong things.

It's like saying "well, we gave you ibuprofen at 2 times the recommended maximum dose and because it gave you a stomache ache, it's a BAD drug that shouldn't be used to treat pain!" Uhm, no! Try lowering the dose?

However, I am against using such drugs (antipsychotics/AP) unless other avenues have been explored first. This drug is notorious for packing on the pounds and there is a risk for diabetes. And then the class of AP's in general can cause muscle issues. Yes, I've had them. It sucks going years not knowing if it was permanent or not. And I'm still not sure if there was lasting damage.

These are probably some of the most heavy hitting of psych drugs and it sickens me that doctors hand them out like candy. Oh, your antidepressant doesnt CURE your depression? Add on an AP! (Yes, commercials in the states say pretty much that.)

If you need the medication, by all means you should take it. I'm just sad it's being treated as a first line of defense rather than a last resort. Remember, these drugs were created to treat psychosis and schizophrenia, NOT insomnia. Yes, I see a sleep doctor. What was the first thing she did? Took me off prescription sleep drugs and made me retrain my brain to sleep.

Ok I think I've gone on enough of a tangent. Bad interview, but point taken. I just wish they could've gotten the point across in a better way.

 

[Brad1980]

I didn't watch the interview. For me Seroquel helped dramatically reduce my ptsd symptoms. But like was stated I gained 100 lbs. My bad cholesterol was at 480. I had to stop it. It got through some very bad times though. It allowed me to sleep which was big thing. It makes food taste fantastic. It doesn't matter what you are eating it is the best you have ever had.

 

[heidi]

I don't think they meant to suggest that this drug has no effectiveness. I think this piece is more about the lack of time, money, resources being used to treat patients. In that sense I think it's good they are having that conversation.

But is it true that this drug is being used a great deal in Australia to tread PTSD? Is that accurate?

 

[I Can Do This]

I think it is sad because as it said in the article, the drug is used as a replacement for more effective therapies. It is not THE answer, it should be used (if at all) as a tool to help in the short-term. Going without sleep would increase PTSD symptoms - but as we all know from research - dreams are the result of unresolved issues in the subconscious. Drugs don't resolve the issue - they just drug you into a different type of sleep pattern where nothing is resolved by the subconcious. So if these soldiers are not getting the proper therapy they are just having all their problems pushed farther into their futures, and losing more of their lives.

It just makes me sad.:cry:

 

[Lucycat]

I like seroquel ( Quetiapine). I have been taking it to reduce anxiety and aid sleep for the past 3 years. I have LOST weight while taking it and sleep like a baby. No complaints. If they start refusing to prescribe it I will go back to being an out of control animal I am sure.

 

[MissMacD]

I currently take 100mg of Seroquel each night before bed. Since taking it I have definitely gained weight. It does bother me a lot but I couldn't have gotten through the past few months without it. I want to be weaned off of it soon - I already have permission from my doctor and a prescription to do so. If the side effects outweigh the benefits it's not worth taking.

I have been on the fence about this drug because it has such a horrid reputation and I have had bad side effects from it.

 

[Bilby]

But is it true that this drug is being used a great deal in Australia to tread PTSD? Is that accurate?

I'm not sure Heidi. My husband takes it as part of his PTSD medication as it helps him with anxiety, sleep, nightmares etc. I have taken it before myself (short-term) to assist with my own anxiety and sleep issues.

But like was stated I gained 100 lbs. My bad cholesterol was at 480.

Sadly, very common side effects there, Brad1980.

It makes food taste fantastic. It doesn't matter what you are eating it is the best you have ever had.

Yes - for me, I found myself waking during the night and when I'd normally just get up and go to the toilet, I'd find myself raiding the cupboards. Not a good thing. I was only on a low dose of it as well.

I guess for me, I just feel that this interview didn't look at the overall picture, and there was only one doctor consulted about it. I think it's a fairly big statement to say that it's use is an indicator of poor quality treatment, as I certainly believe that it has it's place as part of a treatment program tailored to individual needs - and that being the point, that if an individual needs it, then so be it.

 

[new gamma rays]

I take seroquel 300 mg. I took it for some eight years ago at 50 mg for sleep and to offset ssri symptoms, and it worked okay for me. I never felt comfortable goign over 100 mg. But then I landed in a psych hospital and after jacking around with all my medicines, espeially the AAPs, I ended up on 300 mg. I really wish I had lowered back down, but doing so was very hard at the time because I was extremely stressed dealing with my states court ordered treatment (whic h is besides the point)

I really can't say if its effective for ptsd because I've been on it the whole time since my trauma. It does really mess with your dream cycle. I'd say I spend three or four hours dreaming, and it can be very mentally taxing. Someone once described it as running a marathon in your sleep. Now my parents found a new psychiatrist for me, and he wants me to add zyprexa, which I am reluctant to do. But given my really explosive symptoms right now my parents think its the only thing thats going to help me. Zyprexa might have a little less of the side effects which bother me on seroquel, but except for abilify, they all pretty much do the same thing. They are like a wet blanket for your nervous system and take the edge off stress. Going down right now for me wouldn't be an option, but going up is not something I want either

(and fwiw atypical antipsychotics are seeing an exponential increase in prescription to military members, a psychiatrist wrote an editorial about it for the nytimes sunday review)