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Using seroquel for husband's anxiety: Concerned, any experiences?
My sweet hubby was diagnosed with Lewy Body Dementia in 2018. He does know me, but often needs reminders that I am his wife and frequent prompts to remember names, even mine. We have been happily, dreamily married for 31 years. He is 67, golfs once a week, exercises with a trainer twice a week, we walk at least 2.5 miles a couple of times a week and he does all of the yard work. (The yard work is getting harder.) He has been hallucinating more lately, some of them are frightening. He is having breathing problems when he exercises (even on our walks), and he has lost 20 pounds in about 9 weeks while eating regular foods, but he doesn't seem to be able to eat the amount he used to eat. He feels full quickly. (I eat the same foods and have not lost a pound.) We did do a cardiac stress test and are awaiting results. He did have an abdominal CT scan and it came back normal. He was given an albuterol inhaler to help with breathing and that produced horrible hallucinations that lasted several days. Now the doctors have prescribed 12.5 mg of seroquel to be taken at bedtime only and at other times if he is exhibiting severe anxiety. I am afraid of giving this to him. Does anyone have any experience with this medication or the breathing problems or weight loss? I love him so much and want to be the best and do the best for him today and always. Thanks in advance for any help!
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Good morning @teacher502 I was sorry to read of your husband’s journey. My wife took Seroquel for several years during her illness and it was a significant help for her.
I know each person is different, but I wanted to share my wife’s experience.
Strength, Courage, & Peace
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7 ReactionsThank you for this reply......I guess it won't hurt to try it for a week. Your comment gave me hope for the moment....
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2 Reactions@teacher502 I remember that with my wife it took some time for the medicine to reach what they call therapeutic levels in her blood, so it took some time to reach its full potential for her.
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3 ReactionsThank you, Scott! I will remember this when we try it.....feeling grateful for this reply.
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1 Reactionour doctor just increased the seroquel from 12 mg at 3 times a day to double it to 25 mg at 3 times a day. my husband tolerates most medications pretty well but this time i am seeing more anxiety and not less. any ideas of what we should do?
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2 ReactionsI think if the 12.5 was working well, I would go back to that dosage until I could get back with the doctor. I do know that our neurologist at Mayo said to go very slow because some LBD patients cannot take seroquel even at the low dose and adjusting it has to be done with caution. Hope you find a great solution very soon.
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3 ReactionsWith something this important, I’d say consult with your husband’s doctor.
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7 Reactions@teacher502, can you share more about what your concerns are about seroquel? Is the dosing clear - every night and then as needed?
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1 ReactionIt is 12.5 mg at bedtime. We started first dose last night. I have heard that it takes several doses to see a difference. I was also told that if he is very anxious or having troubling hallucinations I can add in another one. He was accidentally put on Vraylar in 2018 (before LBD diagnosis) by a psychiatrist that had horrific side effects. I just wanted to be sure others had had positive experiences with seroquel in LBD. Thanks for asking.
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3 Reactionsi'm a caregiver - family member - for a young man with a severe head injury. giving him seroquel has allowed us to have some peace in the house. currently he is taking 25mg 2x daily, and sometimes taking a 3rd 25mg 1x daily. without seroquel, it was total anxiety - mine. dealing with the brain injured can be quite trying. there is no logic, no gentle tones that could calm the waters. as the saying used to be, on tv advertising, better living through chemistry. seroquel has worked very well for us.
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