Getting off of Seroquel

Posted by anniegk @anniegk, Jun 8, 2018

I have been on 300 mgs. Seroquel ER for over a year for augmenting my antidepressant which is 45 mgs. Of Mirtazapine. I decided to try and get off of the Seroquel. I was on 300mgs ER (extended release). I titrated down to 250 mg ER for 2 months without too many problems.than i titrated down to 200mgs ER just 5 days ago. My plan is to try to titrate off using ER tablets. My thinking is that perhaps the drug will remove its self from my system more gradually. I have had some nausea and a couple of episodes of diarrhea. I also have a very irregular heart beat and was started on 60 mgs of Propranolol ER (extended release) 4 weeks ago. It seems to be helping my heartbeat. I have wondered if the nausea and light headness is from the Propranolol, a Beta Blocker, or the dose reduction of the Seroquel. I also wonder if the way iam titrating the Seroquel is safe. My doctor says it will only take a couple of weeks...I think that is too fast of a taper after being on a drug for over a year. What do you think?

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Leonard | @jakedduck1 | Jan 21, 2020

My intent is not to frighten anyone regarding Seroquel. I believe it’s a very important and useful medication in a select group of people. However I believe that it is way over prescribed, it’s prescribed for uses that the manufacturer doesn’t think it should be used for nor do many researchers. It has extremely serious and sometimes irreversible side effects and I just believe people should be made aware of those facts, and they are facts. Admittedly some of the side effects may not happen often but they do happen. A friend of mine who has schizophrenia has been on Seroquel, he now has Seroquel induced diabetes. That’s not to say that he never should’ve been on it. Seroquel helped more than any other drug but the improvement for his schizophrenia caused him to have another serious disease, diabetes. I’m not a scaremonger and I’m sorry some believe I am. Sometime back I attended a support group meeting for people with Tardive Dyskinesia. Some of those people got it from Seroquel some got it from other antipsychotics. But the fact remains antipsychotic medications are powerful and can cause serious side effects and shouldn’t be treated with such a cavalier attitude by clinicians or patients.
Jake

rainer | @rainer | Jan 21, 2020

In reply to @jakedduck1 "My intent is not to frighten anyone regarding Seroquel. I believe it’s a very important and..." + (show)

Totally agree

azgilger4 | @azgilger4 | Jan 21, 2020

In reply to @rainer "Totally agree" + (show)

I agree 100%

azgilger4 | @azgilger4 | Jan 22, 2020

Hello? Is there any one out there with a successful story to share getting of Seroquel?

J | @jh1 | Jan 22, 2020

In reply to @azgilger4 "Hello? Is there any one out there with a successful story to share getting of Seroquel?" + (show)

I have been off it for two months. Am also coming off Geodon which I use to sleep at night. Right now I am taking a half tablet of 40mg Geodon and sleeping pretty well. My goal is to have no sleep aid but I am not able at this point.

azgilger4 | @azgilger4 | Jan 25, 2020

In reply to @jh1 "I have been off it for two months. Am also coming off Geodon which I use..." + (show)

Geodon? Helps you sleep? I am.on 400mg - 450- for insomnia. I want off seroquel so bad. I only have been on it for 3months. I pray I can get back to normal sleep at some point. Hope everything goes well for you.

J | @jh1 | Jan 25, 2020

In reply to @azgilger4 "Geodon? Helps you sleep? I am.on 400mg - 450- for insomnia. I want off seroquel so..." + (show)

Thanks, yeah the Geodon is all I have for sleep aid and it works. I'm not sure I'll be through this any time soon. This place will be the first I will write to when and if I can sleep without aid.

J | @jh1 | Jan 27, 2020

OK I have some good news. I just got back from my psychiatrist and he says that the chemical dependency on Seroquel has long since passed. He says I can't sleep because in the 16 years I have been on it, I have forgotten how to sleep on my own. Therefore, he has upped my Melatonin ( a natural substance ) to 9-12 mg instead of 3 and I am going off Geodon so I will be in monotherapy with the Latuda. I will write tomorrow after my first night on only Melatonin no matter what. Wish me luck!