Can anybody share about being on SEROQUEL?

I'm still on Seroquel and have been for at least 12 years. Works well to reduce dreadful episodes of anxiety. I went off of it briefly and had immediately return of symptoms. I think of my meds as being similar to meds for any other illness.

I was on Seroquel for about a year. Had to taper off very slowly. But it did work when I used it.
Took about 3 weeks to taper off for me.

@derryman
I came across several of your posts from 2017. I'm wondering how you are? What progress have you made?
Years ago, my psychiatrist prescribed Seroquel for treatment of insomnia and off label as an anti-depressant.
Seroquel was intolerable. I had to call 911 because I couldn't swallow. It caused such "dry mouth" that I had no saliva...no moisture within my mouth. Water didn't help. The EMTs considered it an allergic reaction, put me on an IV, and my psychiatrist tapered me off of it.
In a follow,-up Gene-site test, Seroquel was listed in the red zone--to be avoided.
I'm curious. Were you seeing a psychiatrist or a primary care provider?
I hope by now that you are well.

I have since changed psychiatrists but my last one had me taking 350mg of Seriquel an hour before bedtime which rendered me unable to walk without my wife’s assistance. Upon waking at 5:30am each day I was instructed to take another 100mg at 6am. At noon I was prescribed Adoral to counter effect the Seriquel and make the rest of the day comfortably better. I was basically being slammed down and then violently yanked in the other direction.

I was acting out in the most inappropriate ways and was hurting the very people that loved me.

I knew that I had to find a new Dr that was not a pill pusher!! My current Dr is a Harvard trained pharmacologist as well as being a well seasoned psychiatrist so both of my criteria were met. I cannot emphasize enough that your first visit to a new Dr should actually be YOU interviewing him/her until your comfort level is met.

Long story short, it has taken me about 8 months to be weaned off of the former meds and to get my life back on track.

My biggest concern right now is to mend things with all of those that I hurt (No Violence) with words… I think that it’s very possible that they were actually more painful.

@gary1316 thank you for the follow-up.
@derryman 's response was humble yet powerful

I was prescribed Seroquel by a psychiatrist and after GeneSight testing Seroquel is NOT a drug I should be taking as well as the Tramadol for pain. Weaning off both done with the Tramadol and almost off Seroquel. Now I am beginning to receive treatment at StMary’s Physiatry. She never asked me why I was feeling suicidal until my fifth teleahealth appointment (pain)by she I am referring to the psychiatrist.At Physiatry they are doing testing to help me with pain. My first test is next week a Medial Branch Block in my cervical spine.It has taken over two years and three PCP’s to get this far. A call toCrisis is how I connected with the Psychiatrist because I could not find anyone else to help and I was desperate.Seroquel sucks. I am doing much better without Seroquel.

Flow, I have been tapering off Seroquel in increments of 12.5mgs per week.The first five days are a little rough but then gets better.During those five days I don’t leave the house. I am tired of drugs that make things worse and then you are the one who has to suffer through withdrawal. You will be O.K to taper in small amounts,pamper yourself it takes courage to go through withdrawal go slowly.

I haven’t been on more than 25 mg. I don’t want to go above that. I have been on it for about 2-3 months. I heard there’s no withdrawal on that small amount. ??? Thank you.

I found that for me I cut my 25mgs in half decreased to 12.5mgs once a day for a week. I started my decrease when I was taking 50mg.
Doing that way my withdrawal consisted of nausea off and on.Insomnia for about three nights some irritability,mild headaches.After five days I was feeling much better.As withdrawal that I have had from weaning off other medications that I have taken it isn’t a picnic but it was not as bad. I hope you all the best. I am extremely sensitive to a pile of medications and I mean a huge list of medications that I can’t take.If you decide to taper I am here if you want some support. Remember I am not a medical professional just sharing my experience.When going through withdrawal no matter how mild it helps to have someone who understands.

I’ve never taken more than 25 mgs. Only a few times split in am and pm. But most of time 6.25 mg 3 times a day. I was told with that small amount I wouldn’t have to taper. Could stop it altogether. I have had nausea for awhile. Could be from low potassium or GERD. Thank you.