![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by yesac on February 28, 2006, at 14:53:03
I've been on Seroquel for some time (over a year). It seems to help me-- of and on-- more than anything else I've taken, and I've tried A LOT of drugs. Basically it calms my mind, reduces irritability and agitation, and lessens the intensity of depressive symptoms/ general misery and despair. I'm just not quite as distressed on Seroquel.
Right now I'm taking 600mgs of lithium and 500mgs of Seroquel. I've upped my Seroquel dose over the past 2 months. Before that I only took 50mgs.
The big problem, however, is that Seroquel makes me sleep for excessive amounts of time. At 50 mgs I slept for about 9 hours, which was annoying but somewhat bearable, but now I usually sleep for 11-12 hours per night. This really bothers me, and I feel like something needs to be done.
Has anyone had this problem and it wore off after a while? I've only been on 500mgs for about a week.
I was thinking of trying Provigil or some stimulant to see if that might help at all.
Or the other option is to try switching to something else altogether. The only atypical (besides Clozaril) that I have not tried is Geodon.
Any thoughts?
Thanks.
Posted by med_empowered on February 28, 2006, at 15:06:55
In reply to Seroquel sedation, posted by yesac on February 28, 2006, at 14:53:03
hi! Its common for seroquel to be intensely sedating. It could become less sedating with time; however, some sedation will probably remain. Geodon is a viable option, but it can also cause sedation.
I guess another option would be Moban (molindole)..its a "typical" antipsychotic, but apparently has "atypical" properties, including some antidepressant action. I think the TD risk is supposed to be lower than other typicals, but I'm not sure about that.
Provigil certainly is an option; it can reduce sedation and maybe provide some AD benefits without negating the Seroquel.
Reducing the dose could be an option. Also, you could try focusing more on Lithium and possibly anticonvulsants as mood stabilizers, instead of using a neuroleptic. Some people benefit from Lithium+(depakote, lamictal, trileptal...) combos.
Good luck!
Posted by bipolarspectrum on February 28, 2006, at 16:34:07
In reply to Seroquel sedation, posted by yesac on February 28, 2006, at 14:53:03
Hey,
Im in the exact same boat as you... I find seroquel helps me generally.. but at all dose levels it knocks me out.. 300mg is about 10 hours... ive been at 900mg and it knocks me out at least 12 hours.... i dont know any way around it, it didnt lessen with time for me either... alertec, modafinil is an option.. but im bipolar so it activating drugs tend to destabilize me but it may help you... i wish i could help more but i cant..
bps
Posted by vainamoinen on February 28, 2006, at 16:57:29
In reply to Seroquel sedation, posted by yesac on February 28, 2006, at 14:53:03
One thing you could try is adding a little Prozac or any SSRI. They pretty much all have insomnia as a side effect.
I take 60 mg of Prozac and 100 mg of Seroquel. I was taking 300 mg of Seroquel but that was too sedating.
But at 100 mg it seems like the Prozac balances it out.
Posted by med_empowered on February 28, 2006, at 19:45:25
In reply to Seroquel sedation, posted by yesac on February 28, 2006, at 14:53:03
I think adding an SSRI or something might be a good call...it can reduce depression and neuroleptic-induced fatigue. Also, since SSRIs interact w/ neuroleptics, you may be able to reduce the seroquel dosage and still get the same effects (your doc will know more).
Posted by Phillipa on February 28, 2006, at 20:41:57
In reply to Re: Seroquel sedation, posted by med_empowered on February 28, 2006, at 19:45:25
Med I doubt the doc will know more. Fondy, Phillipa
Posted by Chairman_MAO on March 3, 2006, at 21:51:59
In reply to Re: Seroquel sedation, posted by med_empowered on February 28, 2006, at 19:45:25
If you can tolerate it, Wellbutrin is a great AD for bipolars.
Parnate is a lot less likely than SSRIs to induce mania and is more activating; I would try that before an SSRI.
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.