Does anyone else have experience with this improving with time?
And frankly, does anyone know when you're supposed to start feeling "better" from the medications?
I keep waiting for "better".....
| Author | Comment | ||
|---|---|---|---|
Lucy Tills |
Question about Seroquel |
Lead | |
|
I am a recently diagnosed Bipolar taking Seroquel (at night) and Lamictal (in the morning). My doctor prepared me for the initial side effects of the
Seroquel, but I've been taking it for about three weeks now and the effects (extreme sleepiness) are just as strong. Once I take the Seroquel, I am DONE
for the day within about twenty minutes.
Does anyone else have experience with this improving with time? And frankly, does anyone know when you're supposed to start feeling "better" from the medications? I keep waiting for "better"..... |
|||
lorilovewell |
|||
|
I've only taken seroquel for short periods because I was so drugged I couldn't function on it. You should let your doctor know that the side effects
are not getting better. Not everybody can handle medication the same way and there are other ones he can put you on. Plus the "better" may not come
with this combo, if you feel just as bad as before it is a good sign that you should talk to the doctor and have him look into changing you to something else.
It took a long time for me to find a combo that helped, and I had to change meds over and over. Hang in there. This is a journey and unfortunately doctors
don't know what is best for us. It's pretty much trial and error. For this reason it is extremely important to be vocal about how you are feeling
regarding medications. You don't have to settle for the first medication they put you on and you are in control of your treatment. The docs like us to
think that they know best but honestly, it's your body, you know when something isn't working right.
Good luck. I hope things get figured out for you. Lori |
|||
Lucy Tills |
|||
|
Well, facing crisis (breakthrough mania), I finally went in for an emergency appointment with my doctor, mood chart in hand (which he didn't even look at).
He simply doubled my dosage of Seroquel.
I have never felt so frustrated with a doctor in my life. He didn't listen to anything I or my husband were saying to him about what I've been experiencing. He forbid me from taking either the Ativan or the Klonopin, which are frankly the only things keeping me on this planet. So what am I to do now, sit and wait peacefully until the feeling of wanting to kill myself just magically passes I suppose? |
|||
lorilovewell |
|||
|
You shouldn't have to take this. Your doc sounds like a jerk. Look for another one! I have been through quite a few doctors as well. Hang in there
sweetie. I'm here for you. You must be exhausted right not on double the dose of seroquel. Make sure you keep checking in and let me know how you are
feeling. I wish you the best.
Lori |
|||
Lucy Tills |
|||
|
Thanks - I'm going to go back in today (by myself, as he told me last time that my husband was "not to come" to my appointments anymore (he just
sits and listens and helps me remember details, etc.)
I've had a terrible week. Absolutely no relief from any of the medications - three weeks on the Lamictal and a week on the doubled dose of Seroquel and no help, no improvement. I'll keep you posted on what he decides to do. I'm giving him this one last appointment to treat me respectfully and listen to my concerns. |
|||
Lucy Tills |
|||
|
Well, I went in for my appointment yesterday and I told him how bad things have been, how badly I've been feeling and how manic I've been. Nearly in
tears, I begged him for help and said "I can't go on like this" and his response was a condescending "well, what are the options?" He
said this knowing I've had two suicide attempts during manic episodes. A real charmer, great bedside manner, huh?
So anyway, he ended up doubling my dose again (now up to 200 mg) and told me that would not likely help any and that I was still likely a long way from what my theraputic dose would be, but he had to bring me up me slowly. He offered nothing in the interim to calm me or make life more manageable. So I guess I'm in for at least another week of mania...at least my house is really clean and my yard looks nice... Tonight, I see my therapist and I'm going to talk with him about all of this and about his suggestions for changing psychiatrists. |
|||
jacs.mentalhealth |
|||
|
Hello, I have just found this site and am a wee bit late in replying. I just wanted to say that i had a manic episode in the summer of 2005. I was sleeping
less than 2 hours a night amongst just about every other symptom of mania. I was admitted to hospital and put on seroquel. Just 50 mgs let me sleep a full 8
hours. However - i still as very manic after a few hours of having my morning dose. My seroquel was gradually increased to 400 mgs 2 x day. I was a zombie and
felt exhausted and doped up for a whole year!! I sat in my day hospital with my eyes closed and half sleeping every day. I am doing better now with the
sedation. I hope you're feeling better now. Jacqui x
I don't suffer from insanity, I enjoy it <>
|
|||
jacs.mentalhealth |
|||
|
OOps - I'm not a mod here but am on antother Yuku board - i am not sure how to delete that. If any one can do it - please feel free. Thanks.
I don't suffer from insanity, I enjoy it <>
|
|||
MyMetamorphasis |
|||
|
I had not slept in almost two weeks and was hallucinating I was put in 30pills a day (i don't remember what doesage) and still could not sleep. I just felt
in a stuper all the timebut still no sleep. On top of that between that and a short stent on (seroquel &) zeprexa I gained 90 pounds. The only thing that
helped me to relax and try to sleep and to lose the weight (i lost 60 of those lbs) was acupuncture. It was a life saver. But now my medicare/medicaid
doesn't cover it and I can not longer afford to go. But when I did it really changed my moods (and helped w/ weight loss) it was wonderfull. I just know I
would never take that seroquel again. And I have heard that if you stay on a large dose such that I was on it can not only make you gain weight but it can give
you diabetes, too. Becarefeul with how mauch you get put on. And I would seriously look at getting a new dr too id that one is not listening to you. I went
thru 10 years from dr to dr who did not listen to me or even diagnose me with the proper diadnosis (all because they woulnd't open their ears it was so
obvious I was bipolar!!)
Meta |
|||
MyMetamorphasis |
|||
|
I had not slept in almost two weeks and was hallucinating I was put in 30pills a day (i don't remember what doesage) and still could not sleep. I just felt
in a stuper all the timebut still no sleep. On top of that between that and a short stent on (seroquel &) zeprexa I gained 90 pounds. The only thing that
helped me to relax and try to sleep and to lose the weight (i lost 60 of those lbs) was acupuncture. It was a life saver. But now my medicare/medicaid
doesn't cover it and I can not longer afford to go. But when I did it really changed my moods (and helped w/ weight loss) it was wonderfull. I just know I
would never take that seroquel again. And I have heard that if you stay on a large dose such that I was on it can not only make you gain weight but it can give
you diabetes, too. Becarefeul with how mauch you get put on. And I would seriously look at getting a new dr too id that one is not listening to you. I went
thru 10 years from dr to dr who did not listen to me or even diagnose me with the proper diadnosis (all because they woulnd't open their ears it was so
obvious I was bipolar!!)
Meta |
|||
linnyo |
Seroquel | ||
|
I too have began 300mg Seroquel. I t does make me very tired and lasts into the following morning. I am also taking 1mg Ativan not to exceed 3, and 200mg
Trazodone at night, Citalopram 40 mg and increasing, 50 mg Hydroxyzine, 6 times a day. I feel your pain as I have recently started with a doctor who wants
to take away the Ativan. I also take 50mg Seroquel during day, Ativan is also my saving as it works like nothing else does or ever has. I have extreme
anxiety attacks that cripple my ability to work or simply take care of things at home. He says that the Seroquel should help with the
anxiety,"Right" I think you should go to a doctor who will work with you on what is going on with you. Who will know better than you? I would tell
him you want to participate in you treatment and if he isn't willing then go someplace else. This illness is just to complicated to have some hard nose
doctor making all the calls. Since most of them only see us 15-30 minutes a couple times a month. The medications and how you react to them is different with
everyone, he needs to help you find yours with information on side effects and long term benefits,
Hope this helps, Linda |
|||
piecesofme |
|||
|
Has Seroquel worked well for anyone? I am losing hope.
|
|||