Getting off of Seroquel

I’m beginning to sleep better after two weeks off 740 mgs and 16 years on Seroquel. I think that the Geodon is actually not helping me sleep that much so it looks like I might be through it. I think it’s possible with persistence and belief. Let’s keep each other updated

Hi, @anniegk — I apologize for not responding earlier, but somehow I missed getting a notification about your post! I'm wondering about how your taper off of Quetiapine (Seroquel) has been going.

I'd like to invite @derryman @IndianaScott @loveallmyboys @whereveryougothereyouare @tib85 @giacamosgirl58 @majic @hwilson7 @resolve @ronlin1948 @ginak523 and @cathy615 into this discussion to share their thoughts and experiences with Quetiapine (Seroquel)and tapering, if that applies. @gailb and @gman007 may also have some thoughts about the journey going off this medication and the side effects you've experienced.

You mentioned taking Quetiapine (Seroquel) in addition to Remeron (Mirtazapine) and then deciding to try and get off the Seroquel. Curious about what made you want to discontinue the medication? Were you having unpleasant side effects?

Hi @anniegk

I reduced from 400mg Seroquel (Slow release one) not so long ago. I was on 300mg in the morning and 100mg at night. My actual plan was to be off all medication by Christmas, but unfortunately there have been a few bends on the road. My GP and Psychiatrist weren't that happy with the idea, but I convinced them that I was able to do it. To make a long story short, I went from the 300mg in the morning right down to 100mg and 100mg at night. Yes, there are withdrawal symptoms as I was apprehensive, had a little agitation and some sweating during the day. I'm also on Mirtazapine (30mg at night) and wanted that reduced too but to no avail. They simply wouldn't allow me to stop it because of my suicidal ideation in the past and my long history of severe depression.

I'm so glad you mentioned Propranolol because I am on 40mg morning and night. The only thing I can say is that it can cause a very dry mouth, but I'm willing to put up with that because my palpatations, sweating and shaking in stressful situations ease off after I take it.

As for your Doctor, he can tell you this and that, but it's you going through the tapering so you and your body will know best. I really hope you manage to taper off without all the unpleasant symptoms that some people experience. As a person who's been on Seroquel for seven years I do know a little about it and everyone reacts differently to reducing medication doses,

Ed

I'm seeing him later on this month. I think I might need to get off the lexapro as well because when we first discussed the weight gain he took me off the seroquel and I barely lost any weight. I maintained almost all of the weight I have gained by being on the Lexapro by itself. So it's time for a change. This lexapro experiment has been going on for a year now. It's certainly helped with the depression but I'm still largely depressed. The same could be said about the seroquel.

I have gotten off 600mg Seroquel but not the XR. It was being used to help me sleep probably anti anxiety as well. It was tough and took about 6 months but I have been off it about 6 months now. Tons of nausea when I went off it but my doctor explained it absolutely is normal because it does work on some sort of anti nausea brain receptors. I got down to 25mg then stopped. I’m still completing a benzodiazepine taper but I am glad I got off the Seroquel as it fogged my thinking.

@mxyzptlk
Good evening,
I’m not a scaremonger and I’m sorry you believe I am.

I am currently tapering myself off of Seroquel. I had been put on it (without the dr tellig me all the horrendous side effects). First he put me on 100, 200, 300, 400 and then finally 500. I hate this drug!! I don't trust the dr who put me on it. I had been going through a really hard time with family, medical issues.....work..............I began dropping the dosage down slowly. I am now down to 100........and working toward 50 in a about a week.

She is not reducing by 50%. She wants to drop 50 mg from from 250 mg to 200 mg. And stop calling this a vile drug. As I said, it means the difference between life and death or sanity and insanity for millioins. This is not an antipsychiatry forum; it is the Mayo Clinic. I hope the moderator restricts messages such as this.

I tapered very showly off Benztropine. I am happy to report I have had some mild withdrawals. Hot flushing of the skin, a little itchiness, a lot irritability.
Today is my first day to withdrawal from Seroquel. I am a little bit nervous but I have tapered from 600mg down to 25 mg.

I am no longer going to the dr who perscribed Seroquel........ which in my mind has been very harmful to my well being. I am quite angry with him for his NOT telling me the long lasting side effects of Seroquel. This drug has made my life unrecognizable. As I lowered the dose I began to feel more like myself. My son told me yesterday that in the past four months this was the first time I seemed to him like my old self. There were times I wonder if I ever would find my way back. I will have about 10 days to see how I am withdrawalling from Seroquel..........before I start with the new doctor.which will involve therapy only. I believe I have PTSD and not Bipolar and that the perscribing dr made a hasty diagnosis without really talking to me first about my experiences. I don't know if I am doing the right thing or not.......... I am going off of gut feelings. I know I could no longer tolerate the person I became on this drug.

I got off it last October and have been off it since. I too have bipolar disorder and doctors don’t need to screw up our medicine. I was able to get off the Seroquel successfully with no problems.