1. < Depression & Anxiety

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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jakehun | @jakehun | Feb 16, 2020
In reply to @wickedbillie "Thank you everyone for you comments. I am starting my process to get off this med..." + (show)
@wickedbillie

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

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Goodluck on your journey, im sure you will be fine in time. One suggestion is to take a look at the forum survivingantidepressants. It is a great place for information about coming off psychiatric drugs and also has a large sympathetic community full of people going through the same thing.

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sears | @sears | Feb 16, 2020

I suggest staying off the forums such as Surviving Antidepressants. One horror story after the other. These forums scare me to death. Listen to your body and your doctor. Good luck!

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njp1013 | @njp1013 | Feb 17, 2020

journaling your own experience and sharing it with your doctor is a very good thing to do. For me, reading other people’s horror stories is not.

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rainer | @rainer | Feb 17, 2020

I've read a couple of replies that say reading other peoples horror stories isn't helpful - for me - when I was in the middle of my own horror story and needed to know that I wasn't alone - it was very helpful. I also think that once the "horror" passes, it is a good thing to move on and not dwell in that negative place.

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sears | @sears | Feb 17, 2020
In reply to @rainer "I've read a couple of replies that say reading other peoples horror stories isn't helpful -..." + (show)
@rainer

I've read a couple of replies that say reading other peoples horror stories isn't helpful - for me - when I was in the middle of my own horror story and needed to know that I wasn't alone - it was very helpful. I also think that once the "horror" passes, it is a good thing to move on and not dwell in that negative place.

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We all need to hear success stories. The majority of people on these sites are still suffering and suicidal 10 years post taper. These sites should be banned.

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njp1013 | @njp1013 | Feb 17, 2020

Rehab centers love scaring people to attract patients and collect insurance money and probably use fake personas on some forums to do it. Read about ‘the florida shuffle’.

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wickedbillie | @wickedbillie | Feb 17, 2020

So far so good. Two nights on 25mg and getting at least 5 to 6 hours sleep. Moods are pretty damn good. I do
Lie in bed for. Few hours tossing and turning but so far I’m really happy. In a couple of weeks I will try none and see how that goes.

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Moderator
Lisa Lucier, Moderator | @lisalucier | Feb 17, 2020
In reply to @wickedbillie "So far so good. Two nights on 25mg and getting at least 5 to 6 hours..." + (show)
@wickedbillie

So far so good. Two nights on 25mg and getting at least 5 to 6 hours sleep. Moods are pretty damn good. I do
Lie in bed for. Few hours tossing and turning but so far I’m really happy. In a couple of weeks I will try none and see how that goes.

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@wickedbillie - what do you typically do with the sleepless part of your night during this taper? Do you just toss and turn, read, check your phone, get up and do something?

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J | @jh1 | Feb 18, 2020
In reply to @sears "We all need to hear success stories. The majority of people on these sites are still..." + (show)
@sears

We all need to hear success stories. The majority of people on these sites are still suffering and suicidal 10 years post taper. These sites should be banned.

Jump to this post

For me, I needed concrete inspiration from someone who had come off the drug or was coming off of it. The side effects were clear to me so sharing my misery wasn't as important.

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wickedbillie | @wickedbillie | Feb 18, 2020

@lucylucier I toss and turn for a bit than get up, read or watch a tv show, and than try again. I’ve noticed this afternoon I have had a massive panic attack, so had my first negative. But I expected some reactions. Thank goodness for Xanax is all I can say.

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