Getting off of Seroquel

Sorry to hear that.How long has it been like that?

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@jameshoward
Too long, I can’t remember.
After stopping Seroquil are you feeling better, or weren’t you bothered by any side effects?
Jake

Hi All looking for advice,

On the 6th of Jan2020 i was prescribed 25mg seroquel for very mild insomnia. I took this dose for the next month and it worked a charm.

Now come 6th of Feb2020 i stopped seroquel due to lapse of my prescription, the next few days my sleep started to worsen from 6hours for two days then no sleep at all on the 9th.

I went back to my doctor about this the next day, he gave me no instructions or warnings and just prescribed the same dose of seroquel and 15mg of mirtazapine as i requested.

My sleep timeline then follows:

10th: tried to sleep with no medication whatsoever i caved at 2am and took 7.5mg of mirtazapine and was able to sleep.

11th: I slept surprisingly well for 8 hours with no medication.

12th: Slept for a maximum of 1 hour

I really do no want to be on sleep drugs anymore. But should i try and start retaking seroquel then taper off to ease the withdrawals or is it too late for that?

Im quite frighten that i have permanently ruined myself by taking seroquel after doing research on it.

I am feeling better in general but had about a two month mania from stopping. Only side effects from replacement medicine. Also insomnia which has pretty much subsided, despite early wakenings.

I don't think you permanently ruined anything. I took Seroquel in large doses for 15 years and was able to get off it with no problems. The sleep will come eventually. They said that to me but I didn't believe it. Looks like you are alternating sleep and wake days, which is normal. It seems unwise to suddenly stop Seroquel but perhaps you were on a low dosage? ( 25 mg).

Thanks for your reply James, your story gives me hope. I'm going to try reinstating myself at 12.5mg to attempt stabilization, then taper myself down over the next couple weeks.

Hi James I was wondering if you could share at what dosage did you get off Seroquel?

I was at 750 mg from November 2018 to November 2019. Had been on 400 mg for several years prior but had gone through periods where I didn't take it, without recommendation from my doctor. My doctor titrated me by 200 mg each week so 750 first week, 500, 300, 100. Then I used a week each for the last 25 mg steps, 100, 75, 50, and 25. After I went off the last 25 mg I had severe insomnia which I relieved with another medication, gradually replacing Melatonin and then withdrawing the Melatonin when I got daytime sleepiness.

Thank you everyone for you comments. I am starting my process to get off this med after 17 years on it and all the comments have helped me to be be prepared for what’s to come and how to try and combat the sleep issue. @james really appreciated all your advice to other. I used to take 800mgs a day and than down to 200mg. Have been taking 50mgs for about 7 years now. Bit worried about not sleeping but think the benefits will be better overall for me. Keep you all updated