Getting off of Seroquel

Welcome @sabi. I'm sorry to hear that your taper was too fast and that you're suffering with the symptoms of withdrawal syndrome. You'll notice that I moved your message to this existing discussion that @anniegk started on the same topic.
– Getting off of Seroquel https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/seroquel-withdrawal/

I did this so you can read past posts and connect more easily with members who can offer tips and share their experineces like @anniegk @jh1 @jimhd @chrisjc and others.

This related discussion may also offer some helpful advice:
- How can I support my girlfriend who has to come off Seroquel? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/seroquel-withdrawal/

Have you talked to your doctor about tapering more slowly or a bridge medication?

Seroquel. I’ve had four root canals within one year. I have been on 400 mg Seroquel for 2 years. I think Seroquel could cause tooth decay because it causes dry mouth, elevated blood sugar, bruxism and maybe something else. I believe it can also cause alveolar bone loss which is causing more space at the base of my teeth. Has anybody had tooth decay from Seroquel? There is some information about Seroquel and tooth decay online.

Now I want to get off the Seroquel. I’m on 50 mg ER and 350 mg regular at bedtime. If I reduce the dosage it’s hard to sleep. I think even cutting by 12.5 mg per month will be difficult. Does anybody have experience or recommendations on how to get off Seroquel? Perhaps I could use Ambien, Ativan, benzodiazepines, Remeron and or liquid magnesium while I am quitting Seroquel. Any recommendations?

Is there any relationship between Seroquel and tooth decay?

I’m currently tapering off seroquel and experiencing rebound mania, but I feel like a new woman! I wanted to reply to this post because, YES, it absolutely can be possible to be free from mood stabilizers. In 2015 I went through a 5 day medically supervised alcohol withdrawal program. Tried AA for a while but what really changed my life was a local WRAP class. Mary Ellen Copeland was taking lithium in the 80s for her bipolar, developed toxicity to it and had to figure out to manage her life without medication. She ended up developing the Wellness Recovery Action Plan program. I took the class 5 times then trained to be a facilitator for it. Anyway more recently I have found that Keto diet really helped stabilize my moods. Best wishes!

I have bipolar and was using a low-dose of Seroquel (100-150mg) in addition to my regular meds (at the time, Latuda and Trileptal) for sleep. I realized after a period of time that it was no longer helping and made the decision to stop taking it. My doctor said that was fine. I did experience some rebound insomnia. The first night I was off it, I slept 3 hours. And felt more restored in those 3 hours than in 8 hours with it. I also gained 35 pounds. And I was doing a lot of caffeine to overcome the grogginess.

I now take melatonin and some hydroxyzine (can't do OTC benedryl). Like you, I feel like a new woman. I also take Omegas which can help stabilize mood. I did my thesis in my MS (nutrition) program on mental health diet. So much can be done there. For bipolar, a probiotic will help, as will the B-vitamins. But of course working with your doctor. I'm interested in the WRAP program.

Please forgive me for zeroing in on one aspect only of your post - the Seroquel. You said you took 100-150 Seroquel for sleep. That's just how much I take and why.

When you said you gained 35 lbs did you mean before or after quitting it?

Thank you.

Hello! I was wondering if there was any advice to how to safely remove myself from Seroquel. I was put on Seroquel at 100mg once a day at night. The pill after about 5 days really started to negativly effect me, and ive been trying to ever since take myself off of it ever since. The doctor that perscribed me the pill and the hostpital that I had to go to for the increasing withdrawal effects have told me different things on how to remove myself, my psychiatrist told me to not taper off at all and stop cold turkey, while the hostpital said to do it gradually. I have been off for 3 days and would love advice on how to remove myself safely and who to trust

Welcome @adam27314, I moved your question about getting off Seroquel to this existing discussion:
- Getting off of Seroquel: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/getting-off-of-seroquel/

I did this so you can read previous posts and connect with members who have been there like @anniegk @jh1 @jimhd @chrisjc @insomniac @funkymanatee @catmomma and many others.

Adam, am I understanding that you took Seroquel for only 5 days?

Listen to the hospital just to be on the safe side. Our doctors have failed us when it comes to getting off these physchiatric drugs. We’re pretty much on our own.

I hate Seroquel and want to get off it so badly.

History: 57 yo white male, had OCD my whole life, but wasn't officially diagnosed and put on meds until 22 years ago. Was never on any meds prior to this except for antibiotics. Never even tried any recreational drugs, non-smoker, former recreational drinker, hardly drinking now.

Chronological meds = 
* 3 years of various SSRIs and really low levels (0.25mg) of nightly Xanax. Psychiatrist had no clue what she was doing.
* 5 more years of Paxil and really low levels (1mg) of nightly Ativan. New psychiatrist also had no clue what she was doing, but felt Ativan was sufficient for my anxiety at night to help me sleep, and would be less addictive than Xanax. I was actually never addicted to either, but just listened to my doctor.
* 13 years of Luvox and Seroquel (300mg), after checking into a outpatient program after suicidal intent, when the psychiatrist that was part of that outpatient program saw how badly I needed Luvox for the OCD, and wanted me off the Ativan just because it was a benzo. I had been on it for 5+ years, but had no symptoms of any type of addiction, and just stopped taking it immediately with no issues. He chose Seroquel because he said it had drowsy effects and would help me sleep, since sleeping pills like Ambien, etc., did not agree with me.

The Luvox helped significantly with my OCD, and the Seroquel definitely helped me sleep at night in the beginning. Shortly afterwards, the fast weight gain happened, my libido was diminished to nearly nothing, and I'm not able to get much restorative sleep. Attempts at getting off Seroquel with the aid of my psychiatrist at the time (who I was referred to from the outpatient clinic) were futile, especially since he was insistent that this could be done in 2 weeks, even though I had emphasized how sensitive I was to meds, and felt like I would need more time. So, back on I went, even though I hated being on it. 

About 3 years ago, I tried to go off Seroquel on my own, by cutting my pills to basically shave off tiny bits at a time, stretched out over many weeks and months. That was a bad move, because I started getting psychotic and detached from reality, so had to go back on.

Shortly afterwards, I found a different psychiatrist who was willing to help me go off the Seroquel with the help of 1mg of Ativan to help with my sleep, which was the main purpose of Seroquel for me. We've been able to go down to 150mg over the course of 9 months or so, but anything lower than that, and I start losing it again.

I was taken off the Ativan because it was considered a benzo, and benzos are highly addictive. Yet, I stopped it cold turkey after taking it for 5 years, and had no negative side effects from it.

Meanwhile, I was put on Seroquel with no hesitation, and my body is so reliant on it, that I cannot go lower than 150mg without getting delusional. I've gained about 75 lbs from it, have lost my libido, and feel like a prisoner from it.

How is that deemed safe and not addictive?

If you've read this far, thank you! My wife helped me type this because she's much faster than I am. I'd love to hear success stories from people who were in positions similar to mine, because I need to take my life back.

Thanks!