Getting off of Seroquel

Detox has been ongoing for a while. The last few days felt great, practically back to normal. But yesterday and last night, crashed and burned. Haven't felt that bad in a long time. I have been on a better diet, vitamins, and exercise daily.

Would need a doctor to chime in but I think it's rebound syndrome. The Seroquel did help with sleep and mood, but I quit because of side effects. Its entirety possible that the original symptoms are back, and I'm only on 10mg of paxil. I upped the Klonopin to 0.75 and it's manageable. Will take another one tonight. I've resisted benzo use for the last month, but maybe I need it to take the edge off.

Hi, @chrisjc - you are really dealing with a lot of harsh symptoms. Glad that others here are offering their input. I'd also like to invite @jimhd @gingerw @jakedduck1 to join in this discussion for any thoughts they may have as you are facing symptoms like feeling delirious, vomiting, sweating, etc. with your taper.

Have you had the chance to contact your doctor this morning about what you are experiencing and to get some direction for your taper given the symptoms? If so, what did she or he suggest?

I'm making an appointment with her asap. Up until yesterday, my nights were slowly progressing and the days have been fine. The vomiting and panic attacks are limited to night and the early hours of the morning. Currently, Before bed there were no more vomiting episodes and mornings were limited to one, maybe two. I was able to sleep about four hours a night.

I was prescribed seroquel because of a sleep disorder and it worked but I had to quit due to side effects. Like I said I think it could be rebound syndrome.

Here we go, I found my log:

Friday night: slept 7pm-12am. One barfing episode saturday morning, none last night. Anxiety issues early this mornng, not much stomach problems. Anxiety faded by 7am. Day was good, two hour walk in the park, got a lot done around the house.

Saturday night: Sick at 4am, nothing last night. Slept 11-4am. Anxiety and mood improved by noon. Mood worsened by 4pm.

Sunday night: Insomnia all night, sick all night.

It seems like Seroquel and Effexor are harder to taper off than Benzos. Any thoughts on this? I’m also starting to believe Benzos are safer.

For me, Klonopin was a lot easier to withdraw from because of the Ashton manual. It was boring, cutting and weighing pills every night. I was only at 1.3mg but it still took six months. Seroquel just eats you from the inside out. Vomiting, flu symptoms, insomnia, and it feels like it's never going to end. The worst part is you can taper all you want but the real nightmare doesn't begin until you're off the pills.

Are benzos safe? They're a tool, like any other. They can be a benefit or a hazard. If used responsibly for a documented, severe condition at the lowest dose needed, it can make a difference between wellness and insanity.

Think I found the problem: Rebound symptoms. The Seroquel was treating a very bad sleep/panic disorder at night, and after the worst withdrawals were gone and my days mostly went back to normal, the panic disorder came back.

Last night was much better. I took a normal dose of Klonopin (0.75) then had an intense appetite for once. After dinner, slept for about 10 hours and just woke up. Felt some anxiety in my chest, took another 0.25 and I don't think it's working yet but I feel better. No more sickness, no panics, no vomiting.

My days were slowly getting better, first it was a few hours but this progressed to all day. Nights were completely horrible. The one symptom was this: I would feel fine, lay down then close my eyes. And like a bucket of cold water, a surging panic attack would jolt me and lead to throwing up, feeling overheated, trapped, shivering. Then 10 minutes later it's like it never happened, lay back down and the process repeats itself. All night long.

Hey @chrisjc I have not commented lately but have been following your updates. I'm so glad you are figuring out your meds and feeling better. I also take Klonopin (the generic--clonazepam), and I would be lost without it. I usually take 1 MG at night and 1/2 MG in the morning because it tends to make me sleepy, and I don't need any help feeling sleepy! If mid-day several hours after morning dose I am struggling, I add the other 1/2 MG. I can take up to 2 mg per day, but I try to take less if possible. Have you tried Cymbalta or has your doc mentioned it. Honestly, it does make some people a bit wonky, but not all, and it helps a lot for me with pain and anxiety in addition to depression. I don't want to put an idea in your head that will put you through more withdrawals because I went cold turkey off Cymbalta--was fine for two days and then major pain and anxiety attack. Sometimes we don't realize how much meds are helping us until we go off them, and my doc told me no way should I go off Cymbalta without adding another antidepressant and tapering. Take care!

Agreed, this is not the first time Klonopin has saved my life. Another day of feeling normal again. Went places, got work done, socialized a bit. Felt fine except for one minor episode of feeling overheated, but I was feeling stressed over something.. Ate very well today, three big meals. Took 0.25 this morning and then 0.5 tonight. It takes the edge off so I'm not dry heaving and trembling and feels sorta relaxing but not stoned.

In hindsight I wish I would have known the old symptoms would be returning after stopping the Seroquel, but that's ok. I was very suspicious when my days were fine but nights ruined due to panic attack.

@chrisjc

I've been taking 1mg of Clonazepam at bedtime for 14 years. My prescription is for two per day, but I rarely take a second one. I did try to taper off it a few years ago, but after a few nights with no sleep I decided it wasn't worth the effort. I have sleep apnea and use a Bipap machine, so if a medication is sedating I'm happy to have the help.

There will be people who love it and people who think that no one should ever take it. For me, if it works, why would I change it?

I hope you continue to have improved sleep and appetite.

Jim