MSUE Posted July 18, 2009 Share Posted July 18, 2009 Ok guys, I have been taking Seroquel for years and its been the only thing that helps with my sleeping disorder and the occasional manic state...the problem is I tak a very large dose...while most people I know take 50 to a 100 mg's I take a nice 600 to 800 mgs of course under proper medical care...last visit with my Dr. we agreed to slowly come off of it...I'm panicking...I guess I just realized I'm highly addicted to it psychologically...and physically...I take it all day long at times when my anxiety gets out of wack or when I just plain and simple want to be knocked out cause I'm bored or overly stressed...Please no judgment replies...I just want to know how others that take it or have taken it in the past feel and if anyone shares similar experiences. Link to post Share on other sites
EddieN Posted July 21, 2009 Share Posted July 21, 2009 I take 200 mg nightly for mood stabilization. Honestly, I'm a bit worried, because I've been taking it for so long that I almost need it to sleep. I don't see how you can take that stuff during the day, though. An hour after taking my 200 mg, I'm nearly knocked out. Best solution is to work with your doctor and slowly come off of it, or at least lower it. I had no idea you could take so much. You don't actually take 600 or 800 mg at one time, right? Link to post Share on other sites
luvbugged Posted July 21, 2009 Share Posted July 21, 2009 I was taking eventually 300mg of Seroquel for about six weeks... it didn't work for me as either a mood stabilizer or a nighttime sedative; in fact although I was groggy and tired during the day, it stopped helping me sleep at night once I reached 300. I didn't take it long enough to really have problems coming off of it - I didn't have to phase off, if I remember correctly - but I hope that you are able to come off of the Seroquel without too much trouble. I don't know why your doctor is phasing you off of Seroquel but I'm guessing that it's not quite working out for you? I'm surprised that he had you taking so much of it stretched out over the course of a day. The positive is that there are other formulations which may work for you at lower dosages. There are certainly more effective medications for anxiety than Seroquel. Link to post Share on other sites
D-Lish Posted July 21, 2009 Share Posted July 21, 2009 That's one heavy, heavy drug. My doc prescribed it for me as a sleeping agent, so I only took it at night. It made me sleep alright- it knocked the piss out of me. I stopped taking it after a week. I couldn't imagine taking that during the day. Anyone I have know that has been on this drug has gained a ton of weight, lost motivation to do anything, just lived life as a zombie. Link to post Share on other sites
carhill Posted July 21, 2009 Share Posted July 21, 2009 Have your doctor map a reverse titration schedule and follow it exactly. I'd also suggest, depending on the specifics of your health, doing some baseline blood tests, as your body/brain chemistry will be changing as you come off the med. Watch your blood sugars, even if they've been normal (which I hope you've monitored). Inquire from the doctor about short-term additions to get over the hump as you come down. Even though GABA modifiers like Xanax (a benzodiazepine) are addictive, sometimes a very low dose can help. Your doctor and/or pharmacist can assist. IMO, it's better to come down clean but you still have to function. Exercise and a healthy diet will help. Try non-drug sleep aids like Melatonin. I used Seroquel and later Xyprexa to manage my mother's psychosis prior to admitting her to a locked facility. IIRC, I used Seroquel 50mg qid (200mg per day) near the end (140lb female patient), which took the edge off the psychosis, limiting aggressive physical agitation. Good luck Link to post Share on other sites
mark982 Posted July 21, 2009 Share Posted July 21, 2009 i've had sleep disorder since early teens. finally in early 40's dr put me on it. started out at 100mg,presently on 200mg a night. i love this stuff,after living most of my life on 3-4 hours sleep a night,it's nice to get some decent sleep. dr. had me try to use it as a mood enchancer in the day time (50mg) that just made me a really nasty person. Link to post Share on other sites
Author MSUE Posted July 24, 2009 Author Share Posted July 24, 2009 Eddie I do take 600 to 800 at night any less won't do it...it is a lot and I want to get off of it...and I do take some during thr day if I'm really anxious or manic ...my boyfriend is also very concerned he tried a 300 mg pill one night that he couldn't sleep and he slept for 18 hours...never again did he touch it...but its made him very concerned...I have no clue how am I going to sleep without it...ambien gives me night terros...the worst nightmares so bad that I wakeup in sweat and screaming and lunesta does **** for me absolutely nothing...I think my past drug use and abuse...(I've been clean for over 7 years now)... has affected my tolerance dramatically...and I'm a tiny lil thing...Its crazy that I can handle so much...my dr has suggested to go on depakote but that means my lamictal needs to go cause the 2 together are a terrible combo...I'm scared that i'll lose my cool...my sanity as I call it during the trancision...but the amount of seroquel I'm taking is a large dose that was once needed cause of a terrible state of mania Britney style about 3 years ago so now that I'm stable its time to switch it up and I'm ready but scared Link to post Share on other sites
Author MSUE Posted July 24, 2009 Author Share Posted July 24, 2009 Benzodiasepans I've tried most of them the problem is they are highly addictive physically I went trough hell coming of klonopin...I had mini parkinsons disease for almost 2 months...it was terrible...that was a different DR though...he was a real idiot and non reliable...and would not return calls to the hospital while on my stay...I'm guessing cause he knew he was going to get grilled for the ridiculous amounts and combination of medicines...in all reality I Could have sued him for what he did...8 months on klonopin? 4 and 5 mgs a day? now that was intense and sadly I trusted him...meantime looking back...his terrible practice and care are probably responsible for landing me in the hospital for weeks Link to post Share on other sites
lizzylizliz Posted July 24, 2009 Share Posted July 24, 2009 I am. I've been on it for the past 6 months, 300 mg a day, because it controls my Borderline (yes, I'm a certified crazy ) and stops me hallucinating and having crazy mood swings. I'm set to be on it for the rest of my life, which means I can't have kids unless I come off it temporarily...sucks when you're 22 and hope to have a family one day, but we'll have to wait and see. I used to have Diazepam too because of my anxiety. I hated coming off that, it was great for whenever I wanted a sleep Good luck with coming off Seroquel....I wouldn't be able to function without it personally, tis the only thing between me and having enough manic episodes to lose me my job, and just about everything else in my life. Best of luck! Link to post Share on other sites
BUENG1 Posted July 25, 2009 Share Posted July 25, 2009 My brother has taken it and he has gained a ton of weight. Link to post Share on other sites
mark982 Posted July 25, 2009 Share Posted July 25, 2009 msue, if seroquels working for you, why do you want to come off? while agree 6-800 mg a day is high,but if it's working why rock the boat. Link to post Share on other sites
Author MSUE Posted July 26, 2009 Author Share Posted July 26, 2009 want to come off of it cause its made it hard to drop a few pounds...I'm a size 6 still ...lol but normal me is a 2...but most importantly I would likr to try for baby very soon...I can't imagine being off of it but gotta do it someway somehow Link to post Share on other sites
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