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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 22 of 22. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Sabina on July 15, 2003, at 16:28:08
i have been taking seroquel for under a week, 25mg am and 25mg pm. i was supposed to increase the pm dosage to 50mg, but even 8 hours after a dose i'm still far too stoned to function. i can't drive or get anything done. i'm taking it for anxiety and have been led to think from my research that i should expect to be taken up to (at least) 150mg/day.
http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/generic2/quetiap_ids.htm
i'm practically nodding off as it is. i've also been having unpleasantly vivid dreams, abdominal pain, a constant headache, and lower back pain. some of these *could* be attributed to the fibromyalgia, but i feel they are largely related to the medication at this point.
can i expect to have SE's diminish over time, even if i keep upping my dosage? i can't keep going on living in this stupor for much longer. if i can't bear raising the dosage, will i still be able to reap the benefits of the drug at a dosage considered below therapeutic levels? it has been difficult finding sufficient information on this drug as to these questions. thank you for any help or advice you may offer.
Posted by crazychickuk on July 15, 2003, at 16:30:39
In reply to stoned on seroquel...please help, posted by Sabina on July 15, 2003, at 16:28:08
hey give it another week till the side effects wear off, stick at the dose u r already at.. are u taking this meds @ night? do u take any other meds along with it also?
Posted by Sabina on July 15, 2003, at 16:50:47
In reply to Re: stoned on seroquel...please help, posted by crazychickuk on July 15, 2003, at 16:30:39
no other meds at this point, outside of the occasional xanax when i'm extremely agitated. i'm so very zonked on the seroquel, but i still can't relax; twitching, frightened, etc. i was told to take them twice a day, morning and night. i stay stoned all through the day, then take it again before bed and yet can't rest well. i just find it difficult to imagine that i'll ever be able to take a higher dosage than i am now without slipping into a coma!
Posted by Sabina on July 15, 2003, at 16:57:09
In reply to Re: stoned on seroquel...please help, posted by crazychickuk on July 15, 2003, at 16:30:39
Posted by crazychickuk on July 15, 2003, at 17:39:23
In reply to Re: anybody actually (taken) taking seroquel? (nm) » crazychickuk, posted by Sabina on July 15, 2003, at 16:57:09
is this med a trylic?
Posted by Sabina on July 15, 2003, at 17:59:54
In reply to Re: anybody actually (taken) taking seroquel?, posted by crazychickuk on July 15, 2003, at 17:39:23
Nope...an antipsychotic typically perscribed for schizophrenia.
Posted by Sabina on July 15, 2003, at 18:05:28
In reply to Re: anybody actually (taken) taking seroquel?, posted by Sabina on July 15, 2003, at 17:59:54
Posted by Maximus on July 15, 2003, at 18:25:51
In reply to Re: anybody actually (taken) taking seroquel?, posted by Sabina on July 15, 2003, at 17:59:54
May i know, if you mind, why on earth are you taking an AP for the treatment of anxiety?
Did you ever try benzodiazepines? Klonopin, Xanax, etc.?
Did you ever try an SSRI? Paxil, Celexa, etc.?
Did you ever try the combination of the two? Ex: Paxil + Klonopin
Did you ever try an anticonvulsant like Neurontin, Depakote or Lamictal?
It's astonishing. I'm speechless.
Posted by Dinah on July 15, 2003, at 18:30:26
In reply to Re: not my business but... » Sabina, posted by Maximus on July 15, 2003, at 18:25:51
Speaking for myself,
Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, and Yes
Risperdal worked better than any of them
Course, I developed diabetes II and had a tongue thrusting incident.
But other than that....
Posted by jlo820 on July 15, 2003, at 20:58:30
In reply to stoned on seroquel...please help, posted by Sabina on July 15, 2003, at 16:28:08
Sabina -
I was on Serquel - 100 mg a day. I had to go off of it because it made me feel and act like a zombie - I just wanted to sleep all the time. My parents inisted that I go off it, to the point of taking the medication from me. They said it made me a different person. I took it for about three weeks.
Posted by Janelle on July 15, 2003, at 21:13:03
In reply to stoned on seroquel...please help, posted by Sabina on July 15, 2003, at 16:28:08
I know TWO people, one male and one female, who each take, get this - 900, yes 900 mg of Seroquel a day with NO side effects!
Me, I can tolerate *only* 100 mg at night for sleep - it works wonderfully, the only med of the ones I tried that gets me to fall asleep and stay asleep.
I would echo some of the advice you have already received here - give it another week and if the side effects don't wear off, call your pdoc. You may need to reduce the dose or Seroquel may not be right for you.
Posted by jlo820 on July 15, 2003, at 22:24:52
In reply to This thread is fascinating because..., posted by Janelle on July 15, 2003, at 21:13:03
I think this is the difference for treating people who are acutley psychotic and for those of us who are prescriped Seroquel (or other antipsychotics for that matter) for anxiety or sleep, etc.
Posted by Sabina on July 15, 2003, at 22:41:02
In reply to Re: not my business but... » Sabina, posted by Maximus on July 15, 2003, at 18:25:51
> May i know, if you mind, why on earth are you taking an AP for the treatment of anxiety?
The tone of your first question, coupled with your final comment suggested that I was in some way amiss in taking a medication that was given to me by a psychiatrist who has evaluated me thoroughly and is monitoring me carefully. I am not proud for allowing myself to feel put down by this perceived implication and I will try to believe that your intentions toward me were kind and concerned, if perhaps a bit brusque. To expound on the Dx, I suspect that my pdoc harbors an idea that I have (an)other disorder(s), but I originally presented to him with anxiety and fibromyalgia.
>
> Did you ever try benzodiazepines? Klonopin, Xanax, etc.?Yes, but they didn't manage me effectively, though good for sleep and flare-up episodes
>
> Did you ever try an SSRI? Paxil, Celexa, etc.?Yes, many. They made me quickly and invariably psychotic and suicidal...even Lexapro at 5mg.
>
> Did you ever try the combination of the two? Ex: Paxil + KlonopinCan't tolerate SSRI's at all.
>
> Did you ever try an anticonvulsant like Neurontin, Depakote or Lamictal?No, it hasn't been mentioned by the doctors I've seen. Also, I've heard such violently differing opinions on them and am nearly at the end of my rope as it is, so I'm quite wary of them.
>
> It's astonishing. I'm speechless.Thank you for your comments. If I am guilty of being overly sensitive to your words, then please accept my apologies. I am, admittedly, not in a high functioning state just now.
Kind regards,
Sabina
Posted by Maximus on July 15, 2003, at 23:46:31
In reply to Re: not my business but...it's the way you said it » Maximus, posted by Sabina on July 15, 2003, at 22:41:02
First of all, my apologies if i hurt you. Sincerely. English is not my native language. I do my best to write directly (without translator) in english but sadly i can't manage yet the tone nor the nuancies of my sentences.
So now i understand much better your DX and your trials of medication. It is not easy to find a good one and even so their effect doesn't last very long.
Let say that an AP is very unusual for the treatment of anxiety. BUT if that is what you need AND that works for you, then bingo! Yeah! After all i'm just a patient myself and not a doctor.
Finally, (it is just me but) if you can afford it, try to get a second opinion. Just the fact that he didn't present to you the possibility to take a mood stabilizer like Depakote or Lamictal sounds suspect. Moreover your reactivity may be a clue. Who knows?
Anyway, good luck and keep us in touch!
Posted by Sabina on July 16, 2003, at 0:50:44
In reply to Re: yes that's the way i said it... but » Sabina, posted by Maximus on July 15, 2003, at 23:46:31
I appreciate your apology, even though it wasn't necessary. It's difficult to effectively navigate the realm of meaning and intention, even in one's native language and at the best of times; much less when some of us are rather emotionally fragile.
Unfortunately, I cannot afford to get a second opinion at this time (I'm trying to meet a high deductible whilst unemployed), but I will broach the subject of a mood stabilizer with him tomorrow.
Thanks again for your kindness and support.
Bina
Posted by LisaP on July 16, 2003, at 21:22:08
In reply to stoned on seroquel...please help, posted by Sabina on July 15, 2003, at 16:28:08
Hi. I had muscle spasams on the Geodon and switched to Serequel mid-Feb. I started at 50mg the first night and felt really lousy, so I cut it back to 25 mg/nite for 2 weeks, then 50 mg, 100, 150, 200. I also had some vivid nightmares in the beginning too, but those eventually stopped happening so frequently. I only took the Serequel at night since I have to get up at 6am. I was really worried about weight gain, and counted every calorie for a few months and ended up losing 2lb. Since then I have gained 7.5lb due to overeating (rather than the Serequel I think) but hopefully will be able to lose it soon.
I've been put on the max dose of a drug instantly and it was always an awful experience. I found things to be much better when I increased the Serequel when I felt ready to w/o being pressured to do so before I was ready.
I can now run an hour per day, without problems. The Serequel would knock me out at night until I adjusted to it, but I usually felt fine by morning, if I took it early enough.
I hope this helps a bit, and if you have other q's I could try answering them. And I don't feel like a zombie anymore - the Serequel doesn't impair my ability to get work, studying, or anything done.
Lisa
Posted by Sabina on July 17, 2003, at 11:09:15
In reply to Serequel . . ., posted by LisaP on July 16, 2003, at 21:22:08
thanks for your input! indeed, the grogginess seems to be subsiding (if slowly), and my pdoc is being very cool about me increasing the dosage at my own pace. i think he's shooting for 25mg am and 100mg pm and eventually add a mood stabiliser. i work from home and keep quite odd hours, so i'm getting better at working my doses around what passes for my sleep cycle. i still don't drive unless i absolutely must, though. i'm not at all worried about weight gain, not because i'm so fit, but because my only goal at this point is to feel better! please do post again if it stops working for you, or if you add something to it, etc.
Posted by Temmie on July 17, 2003, at 14:35:55
In reply to stoned on seroquel...please help, posted by Sabina on July 15, 2003, at 16:28:08
Oh dear. I take Seroquel for sleep only, usually only two (25 mg.) per night. My doc suggested four, but then it's too hard to wake/function. She also said I might try it during the day (as some found relief from anxiety with this Rx). Perhaps your doc would be willing to write an Rx for something else. Xanax works great for me, and I only use it when I need it -- which lately, has been rare. Take care.
Posted by whiterabbit on July 18, 2003, at 1:34:05
In reply to stoned on seroquel...please help, posted by Sabina on July 15, 2003, at 16:28:08
It doesn't sound like you're ready to increase the Seroquel dosage at this point. It's a VERY sedating drug at first and takes quite some time to adjust to...you seem to be particularly sensitive and will need to increase dosage with care. Keep your doctor informed, drink lots of water and rest when you can. Eventually you WILL adjust to the dosage you're taking...meaning that you won't notice ANY effect from your regular dosage. When you get to that point, then it's time to increase the dosage and you have to go through some more "down time" while your body adjusts to this new level.
If you've ever read the excellent book "Into Thin Air", you're somewhat acquainted with the process of adapting the body to an unfamiliar condition. If a spacecraft picked you up at sea level and dropped you off at the top of Mount Everest, you would collapse and die quickly from the direct change in altitude and oxygen alone.
It's necessary to climb the mountain using a specific series of camps at different levels, resting at each level while the body attempts to adjust to the higher altitude.Seroquel is prescribed in much the same way. The optimum dose of Seroquel would drop you like a shot if went from zero to sixty in one dose. The gradual adjustment to increased dosage is still no picnic - as you're experiencing - but it's
do-able. Your tolerance level is low, so you're going to need more time than "average" to adjust to dosage increase. My experience was that each period of adjustment was shorter and easier than the last.Is it worth all the trouble? It was to me. My anxiety level dropped, the panic attacks stopped, the insomnia went away, the mania and mood swings leveled off. This drug saved my life.
-Gracie
Posted by Sabina on July 18, 2003, at 19:53:47
In reply to Re: stoned on seroquel...please help, posted by whiterabbit on July 18, 2003, at 1:34:05
now that my pdoc's office has closed for the weekend, but here goes: i'm supposed to be increasing seroquel at my own pace, in a "when waking and before bed" schedule. i'm having to go so very slow on the higher, evening dose due to ever intensifying and disturbing dreams. frankly, i'd rather be stoned throughout the day and could increase with less trouble by adding a midday dose. soo....can anyone think of any reason i shouldn't be able to space out my dosages more throughout the day? i couldn't find anything on the Internet that advised a particular need for strict b.i.d. protocol. any help or personal experience with med scheduling would be appreciated.
Posted by whiterabbit on July 18, 2003, at 22:10:12
In reply to Re: stupid time for a dosage question..., posted by Sabina on July 18, 2003, at 19:53:47
It's only stupid to not question; we're all here to learn.
Jeeezzz aren't I the hookah-smoking caterpiller on the mushroom, dear Alice. Don't mind me.
There's no specific standard, graph or schedule you must adhere to while you're adjusting to the Seroquel. I know this is an uncomfortable concept
in reference to medicine, where dosage is usually prescribed in exacting terms.As I tried to explain in my last post, at this time you're not taking the optimal dosage of Seroquel. In order for a drug like this to produce maximal benefits, you must take the optimum dosage for a continued period of time.
This is so important and so not-understood by patients, it bears repeating:
YOU MUST TAKE THE OPTIMAL DOSAGE OF MEDICATION FOR A CONTINUED PERIOD OF TIME TO GAIN FULL ADVANTAGE FROM THAT MEDICATION.
However, a drug powerful enough to improve the quality of your life to such a degree - how you remembered feeling as a child, maybe, or how you always WANTED to feel but had never experienced -
a drug powerful enough to do THAT is a powerful drug indeed, a potion from Lord of the Rings.It's not quick or easy or painless in the usual American way, but it does work and I'm living proof. It takes much longer than we want and requires a great deal of more old-fashioned endurance than we expected or even knew that we had, but there is always a reward for such patience and persistence.
Hard to describe the reward...it's not like winning the jackpot or striking oil. It's more like - going home, when you always believed there was no home to go to.
-Gracie
Posted by Sabina on July 18, 2003, at 23:57:01
In reply to There are no stupid questions, posted by whiterabbit on July 18, 2003, at 22:10:12
I see you doing so much good for so many people here, and I really appreciate you for answering me. I'm being so particular about this dosing thing for the very reasons that you mentioned about the propect of finally feeling like I'm home. That is, for the first time in my life, I feel the *beginnings* of hope and calm on Seroquel. I guess I feel the way anyone feels in a new relationship: I think that this could be good and I don't want *anything* to screw it up...so I keep asking for advice. Point well taken about the optimal, therapeutic levels. I will continue to increase dosage, when and as well as I can. I will keep you posted, probably on the Social Board. Since Seroquel and through treatment, self examination, etc., I am almost to the point of accepting and actually admitting a diagnosis I never even saw coming. Thanks again, and have a good weekend.
This is the end of the thread.
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