Getting off of Seroquel

@val56 Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect, a place to give and get support.

I agree with you. Taping off a medication like Seroquel on your own should not happen. If your provider will not be of assistance then it's important to find a new provider.

I know that is a barrier for many people, finding a new provider. I'm well aware. It isn't easy to navigate the medical system. In times like these it's important to use any support you have, like family, friends, social workers, insurance providers, patient advocates, the office of patient experience, etc. etc.

May I ask if you have experience in taping from Seroquel?

I'm on day 2 of seroquel withdrawal, the best way to do it so I've heard is to taper off, slowly , I have bipolar 1 effective dissorder and have been hospitalised with s horrific psychotic episode , they put me on olsnzopine then switched it. I went in the hospital a UK dress size 8 (us 4) and came out a UK dress size 14 (us 10), I was having like siezures and blackouts but the doc basically told me to f off, still 155lb but I do martial arts almost every day, so am fit at this weight, but it's not glam. Lol the restless legs are from hell, they're in my legs, arms, head even a few times. I'm suplimenting my withdrawal with 5htp, magnesium threonate, the only magnesium that crosses the blood brain barrier x I'm getting some melatonin too soon and a product called niacinamide, which I have on order which apparently acts on benzo receptors, and oh yeah, actual benzos lol, the benzos I feel are my safety net to not slipping back into psycosis until hopefully the niacinamide arrives and hopefully does what it says on the tin, I feel like quetiapine is shortening my lifespan for some reason and I just wanna fall into a natural sleep. The sleep deprivation is the worst though x

@val56 Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect, a place to give and get support.

I agree with you. Taping off a medication like Seroquel on your own should not happen. If your provider will not be of assistance then it's important to find a new provider.

I know that is a barrier for many people, finding a new provider. I'm well aware. It isn't easy to navigate the medical system. In times like these it's important to use any support you have, like family, friends, social workers, insurance providers, patient advocates, the office of patient experience, etc. etc.

May I ask if you have experience in taping from Seroquel?

How are you doing now?

I tapered for 75mg to 50mg then 25mg my doctor told me how but I know it was too fast. I went off twice then had to get back on due to restlessness and agitation both times. My doctor said there are now withdrawals at 25 mg because it’s a low dose. That’s not correct though. So now I’m back on and I saw the link in the Facebook group Seroquel (quetiapine) should be illegal. They have a lot of information there.

@val56 There are typically standard tapering schedules but they can usually be adjusted to minimize withdraw symptoms. It is important to taper with a provider's guidance. I'm wondering if you've considered switching providers or getting a second opinion? There should be trust and collaboration between patient and provider and what I'm hearing is that you don't trust the provider is working in your best interest. Did I get that right?

Hello and thank you for your reply. Yes, I am going to fire my current provider as he continues to misdiagnose my issues and I've found a doctor level psychitrist. Again, thank you and I hope you have a happy holiday.

They have a group on Facebook called Seroquel (Quetapine) should be illegal. They have a file on how to taper off

@val56
I disagree that either Effexor or Seroquel should be illegal. They are beneficial to many. I know a man who has schizophrenia who takes Seroquel and although he did develop Seroquel Induced Diabetes from it his Schizophrenia has been controlled so he chooses to continue taking it. If I were you I would use the 5 to 10% method and if possible use a Compounding Pharmacy to assure accuracy.
Another option is Cinderella therapeutics in the Netherlands. Below is there Seroquel tapering strips page.
https://cdn.taperingstrip.org/presordfrm/antipsychotics/QTPN_bestel_GB.pdf
Here is some additional information about Cinderella therapeutics
https://www.taperingstrip.com/prescribing-and-ordering/
Unfortunately, most physicians aren't adequately trained or just don't care about the differences in metabolism in different people.
Although doctors aren't always to blame. Patients have a responsibility to know what they are taking and not automatically assume doctors are incapable of making mistakes. Patients are frequently in a hurry to stop medications. One lady here took Effexor for 30 years and quit cold turkey and had a stroke. What's the rush?
Best of luck to you,
Jake

Try asking your pharmacist to make a liquid solution of Seroquel. Then you titrate down in very small decrements.