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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pistol128 | @pistol128 | Oct 20, 2020

I'm not sure what you're concerned about I was on 300 mg of Seroquel myself for a few years for sleep when I got clean and sober after 40 plus years of drinking and drugging. Anyway, I got off of them because of the side effects that it had on my weight and glucose levels in my blood. I was prediabetic according to my doctor's opinion and blood work. All I had to do was go onto 150 mg.'s of Doxopein for sleep doctors subscribed and taken as prescribed of course. After that, I was good to go.

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1 reply
mayo337xxx | @mayo337xxx | Oct 20, 2020
In reply to @jakedduck1 "@mayo337xxx If I made that statement it was because I was dictating and I didn’t check..." + (show)
@jakedduck1

@mayo337xxx
If I made that statement it was because I was dictating and I didn’t check what I wrote it was unintentional believe me. I’m sorry that ever happened because I understood from the beginning that was not the case.
Take care and hopefully the new medication will work better. Surely it can’t work any worse.
Take care,
Jake

Jump to this post

No harm no foul ....

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Leonard | @jakedduck1 | Oct 20, 2020

@pistol128
Hello,
Neuroleptic drugs are very powerful and in my own personal opinion I believe they should be taken only for the reasons they were initially developed.
I’m not saying it’s always right or wrong and I personally don’t always believe that medications that have not been approved by the FDA should nor be prescribed for off-label use.
I visited a support group for people who took neuroleptic drugs and saw long term and life long Irreversible side effects including Akathisia
(a movement disorder), Tartdive dyskinesia, Diabetes, significant weight gain, Parkinsonism among other horrifc side effects from these Neuroleptics. My Cousin being one and a close friend.
Obviously I cant say everyone who takes these types of medications will develop any of these side effects however it is a risk that many many people are unfamiliar with. Personally I don’t take medications without knowing the risks and I don’t have surgery without knowing the risks nor do I have medical procedures done without being aware of the risks. If you choose to that certainly is your right and I am happy that you didn’t suffer any side effects but that doesn’t mean mean many others are as fortunate as you. We can only speak to potential consequences or how we did on a particular medicine just because we did well that doesn’t mean everyone is going to do well as you can read on this forum.
I hope you’re healthy now and I wish you the best,
Jake

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1 reply
Leonard | @jakedduck1 | Oct 20, 2020

@annieb0188
You asked if Serquel was for your anxiety which obviously I’m not qualified to answer however last I heard it hadn’t been approved by the FDA for that purpose. I certainly would never take an antipsychotic medication for anxiety unless I tried every other medication and then none worked and the anxiety was through the roof. There are many anti-anxiety drugs specifically approved by the FDA for that purpose.
Take care,
Jake

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bustrbrwn22 | @bustrbrwn22 | Oct 21, 2020
In reply to @jakedduck1 "@pistol128 Hello, Neuroleptic drugs are very powerful and in my own personal opinion I believe they..." + (show)
@jakedduck1

@pistol128
Hello,
Neuroleptic drugs are very powerful and in my own personal opinion I believe they should be taken only for the reasons they were initially developed.
I’m not saying it’s always right or wrong and I personally don’t always believe that medications that have not been approved by the FDA should nor be prescribed for off-label use.
I visited a support group for people who took neuroleptic drugs and saw long term and life long Irreversible side effects including Akathisia
(a movement disorder), Tartdive dyskinesia, Diabetes, significant weight gain, Parkinsonism among other horrifc side effects from these Neuroleptics. My Cousin being one and a close friend.
Obviously I cant say everyone who takes these types of medications will develop any of these side effects however it is a risk that many many people are unfamiliar with. Personally I don’t take medications without knowing the risks and I don’t have surgery without knowing the risks nor do I have medical procedures done without being aware of the risks. If you choose to that certainly is your right and I am happy that you didn’t suffer any side effects but that doesn’t mean mean many others are as fortunate as you. We can only speak to potential consequences or how we did on a particular medicine just because we did well that doesn’t mean everyone is going to do well as you can read on this forum.
I hope you’re healthy now and I wish you the best,
Jake

Jump to this post

@jakedduck1 i was prescribed Seroquel for depression and anxiety. I did suffer from uncontrollable muscle movements and gained over 30 pounds in a year before I work up and said no more. I also started having manic episodes. I would stay away from Seroquel and some of the other newer anti psychotics being used off label

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Erika | @erikas | Oct 21, 2020
In reply to @pistol128 "I'm not sure what you're concerned about I was on 300 mg of Seroquel myself for..." + (show)
@pistol128

I'm not sure what you're concerned about I was on 300 mg of Seroquel myself for a few years for sleep when I got clean and sober after 40 plus years of drinking and drugging. Anyway, I got off of them because of the side effects that it had on my weight and glucose levels in my blood. I was prediabetic according to my doctor's opinion and blood work. All I had to do was go onto 150 mg.'s of Doxopein for sleep doctors subscribed and taken as prescribed of course. After that, I was good to go.

Jump to this post

@pistol128 Welcome to Mayo Connect. Congratulations on your sobriety! The side effects of Seroquel must have been difficult but I'm happy to hear that you were able to ween off safely with the added use of Doxopein. You mentioned that you were in recovery. I'd like to invite you to join the discussions in the Addiction and Recovery Group.

- Addiction & Recovery Group https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/addiction-recovery/

You may find it helpful to connect with members like @caseygirlx0xmv @rossjt @gingerw and @marjou

May I ask what brings you to Connect? Do you have a particular concern or are you looking to connect with people like yourself?

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mayo337xxx | @mayo337xxx | Oct 22, 2020
In reply to @ginak523 "I just stopped it cold turkey and feel much better ! Thank you for responding ." + (show)
@ginak523

I just stopped it cold turkey and feel much better ! Thank you for responding .

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U stopped cold turkey ?
How many mg daily ?
I was on 200 daily , titrated to 50 then bottom fell out
Went cold turkey : been awake 97% of the last 3 weeks ; took 50mg 3 days ago got about four hours sleep 2 days ago 50 mg no sleep
Last night nothing ; no sleep
This is worst than opiates and benzodiazepines which are both difficult
I guess the doctor forgot to mention consequences of cessation
I hate this drug ...
If I don’t take anymore when should I expect freedom

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4 replies
Leonard | @jakedduck1 | Oct 22, 2020

@mayo337xxx
My recommendation would be to go see your physician and describe all your issues and see what his suggestions are. As long as the lithium is working I’d stick with it. I take it for a month or so to give it a good chance of working although it will probably be effective well before then.
But the question you’re asking “If I don’t take anymore when should I expect freedom”
I think that a question that nobody knows the answer to. How when and why medication works is so individualized if anyone does offer an answer I I’d be willing to guess it would be a guess at best. Personally I wouldn’t wasnt to speculate. Perhaps others will be a long who have gone through the same thing and went through a specific time of withdrawals although that won’t necessarily mean that’s how long it’ll take you to get through it.
Take care of yourself. Best of luck,
Jake

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1 reply
mayo337xxx | @mayo337xxx | Oct 22, 2020
In reply to @maclodge "Hi I was put on 800 mg of quetiapine 7 years ago. Over the years I..." + (show)
@maclodge

Hi I was put on 800 mg of quetiapine 7 years ago. Over the years I slowly got it down to 150mg. I thought things were going great so I lowered it to 100 then 50mg . I had no side affects.....then bam it's like I've hit a brick wall, feel horrendous, dizzy, depressed, very anxious and agitated 😥. I feel I need to put them back up sadly. But so want off this meds! Anyone else having a nightmare reducing ? Tia

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Miserable substance to get off
The worst !!
Weaning is ridiculous and cold turkey horrid
Glad u got down to 150 from 800 must of been hard... I’m still in antipsychotic withdrawal syndrome myself
Good luck

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mayo337xxx | @mayo337xxx | Oct 22, 2020
In reply to @jakedduck1 "@mayo337xxx My recommendation would be to go see your physician and describe all your issues and..." + (show)
@jakedduck1

@mayo337xxx
My recommendation would be to go see your physician and describe all your issues and see what his suggestions are. As long as the lithium is working I’d stick with it. I take it for a month or so to give it a good chance of working although it will probably be effective well before then.
But the question you’re asking “If I don’t take anymore when should I expect freedom”
I think that a question that nobody knows the answer to. How when and why medication works is so individualized if anyone does offer an answer I I’d be willing to guess it would be a guess at best. Personally I wouldn’t wasnt to speculate. Perhaps others will be a long who have gone through the same thing and went through a specific time of withdrawals although that won’t necessarily mean that’s how long it’ll take you to get through it.
Take care of yourself. Best of luck,
Jake

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Thanks jake !!

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