Seroquel for PTSD during benzo taper - need hope

My dad took Seroquel fot agitation, but he wasn’t tappering from another med. It worked well for him.

For me, Seroquel is one of those “knock-out” meds. I take it at night to helps sleep. It’s also a mood stabilizer so it supposed to help keep my moods in check as well (I have bipolar, among other things). I imagine if you can tolerate Seroquel during the day, you should feel pretty calm. Good luck with your taper. I’ve been trying to taper Ativan as well, not an easy process. Hope you find some relief, I’m sure this has to be difficult on you.

Worked good for cptsd also helped me sleep at night good luck be feeling good soon(found it fast acting)

@celia16 Thank you so much for your reply.

@spyder05 Very helpful information thank you so much for the reply. Encouraging.

@ashleyharris728 The benzodiazepines are tough to taper. I’ve been having a hard time with anxiety during the day. I will be taking it at night and hoping it helps me calm down but not so groggy I can’t do anything. I’m starting in the lowest possible dose of 12.5 mg along with low dose of Mirtazapine for sleep to help with Valium taper. Daytime is good and not so good. But I’m hopeful to get off of these meds or for sure the Valium. Thank you for your reply. Big help.

@katnewton hopefully 12.5mg won’t make you too groggy. It really is such a small dose so I’m hopeful for you. Have you ever thought about taking Silexan (trade name in Europe where it is prescribed- available OTC in the US)? It is super helpful for anxiety, shown to be as effective as some SSRIs for anxiety in clinical studies. Very few side effects or drug interactions. Many docs aren’t super familiar with this but the brand Calm Aid is very reputable. It could help the daytime anxiety as it is not sedating. May want to think about asking your doc!

@katnewton , He also took daily Zoloft an Xanax a needed.

@katnewton
I have been trying for weeks to get my provider to taper me off of .5 mg of clonazepam that I have been on for about four months. Right now I am having rebound symptoms -- tremors and anxiety which were first only at night but now are in the day. I am told by my advocate that the med is making my anxiety worse. If I sleep at all, I wake up in a highly aroused and painful state. so I have been sitting up most of the night which is not going to be sustainable. I tried S. once and it make me loopy, scared me and I stopped after the first pill. (I am 81 ad highly sensitive to meds. Are you tapering with a doctor's supervision and able to check in regulary Right now I can't find anyone to help me with this. Would you feel comfortable sharing how much you have been tapering off of what med. and what is the schedule, and how are you feeling during this? I am at my wits end about this and very unhappy with the dr. that put me on it in the first place. I am wondering if it need to go to a detox. But I am skeptical of a 7 day program, and the 30 day ones are out of my reach finacialy. It really is a nightmare. Any help you can give me would be most welcome. Thank you!

@gunshy I started on clonazepam and I’m so sorry it’s so difficult for you right now. Please be hopeful. My doctor cross-tapered me to Valium. Valium is longer acting and the benzo of choice help with tapering off and the interdose withdrawals you describe. I’m on my third doctor now. Nothing wrong with going to someone else. Or ask for a slow switch Valium. You need help with the withdrawals you are having. I stopped my taper for now to stabilize my nervous system. If you can find another doctor or let your current one know you are in need of help. Going to hospital or rehab is an option but the will take you off quickly and not as comfortable by any means. But up to you. I would ask doctor for more to help you get comfortable or the change to Valium. Keep faith. It will get better with the right care. Some doctors are not as educated about benzo tapering as others are. My prayers are with you. You’re not alone.