Desperate to be free from dependence on Seroquel for sleep

Posted by daddyb60 @daddyb60, May 21, 2021

I suffer from Bipolar 1. Back in 2018 I lost the ability to go to sleep naturally. I was hospitalized twice after being awake for seven days and falling into psychosis as a result. It took 600mg of Seroquel to get me to sleep (which is an off-label use of this antipsychotic.) I have been taking 150-300mg every night since. I am desperate to break this dependence but when I don't take my nightly dose, I don't sleep. The Seroquel has caused me to gain a lot fo weight and I think it actually prevents me from getting into deep sleep. I have tried many of the prescription sleep meds with no success. Can anyone help me find a way to break free? And please don't suggest "Have you tried taking a shower before bed?" Thanks!

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@sears

Seroquel is an antipsychotic drug. Do some research about this drug.

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I will have to google that because there’s
a bunch of people taking Seroquel and say that it helps them to sleep. Hmmm I wonder if it’s all psychological? I also take 0.5 mg of klonopin in the morning and 1 mg at 4:00 pm. I’m supposed to take 150 Mg of Wellbutrin every morning. Are one or both of these medications for sleep?

I know that klonopin is a benzodiazepine. What about Wellbutrin? I guess I can google these meds but no matter where you get your googled information it just confuses things. Do you trust Mayo to get a better answer or WebMD?

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@sears

Seroquel is an antipsychotic drug. Do some research about this drug.

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Thanks for waking me up regarding Seroquel, I know I gained about 6 lbs I’m told Seroquel is responsible . klonopin ( a lousy Benzo) is another medication I was given by my psychiatrist and lastly Wellbutrin 150mg in the morning. Is that why I’m tired during the day? I will google these meds to find out why my psychiatrist has prescribed them

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I was on 200mg of seroquel and ambien. Ambien stopped working. I went off that. My doc prescribed hydroxizine, lunesta, and ativan.
I slowly weaned down 25mg of the seroquel and started with the above meds. I went down on the seroquel about every two weeks. I take magnesium glycinate, glycine, vitamin b6, melatonin and 1mg ativan. I went for months where I don't think I slept at all.
Now I'll use up to 3mg of ativan every other day with melatonin, magnesium. Next night hydroxizine, glycine and melatonin. I also started drinking chamomile tea every night.
My sleep is better but I'm lucky if I get 4 to 5 hours a night.

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@csmiller

I take 250 mg for sleep as I have some difficulty falling asleep. I guess I need sedation. What are some good or better medications for insomnia?

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Ambien

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@andytheman

I will have to google that because there’s
a bunch of people taking Seroquel and say that it helps them to sleep. Hmmm I wonder if it’s all psychological? I also take 0.5 mg of klonopin in the morning and 1 mg at 4:00 pm. I’m supposed to take 150 Mg of Wellbutrin every morning. Are one or both of these medications for sleep?

I know that klonopin is a benzodiazepine. What about Wellbutrin? I guess I can google these meds but no matter where you get your googled information it just confuses things. Do you trust Mayo to get a better answer or WebMD?

Jump to this post

I like Mayo Clinic. When googling a drug such as Seroquel you can depend on Google to give you an accurate answer as to what the drug is, side effects, etc. in my opinion. Maybe not so much when researching medical conditions. That could certainly get confusing .

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@jakedduck1

@daddyb60
Seroquel as you know isn't recommended for sleep by researchers or the manufacturer.
You were on a hefty dose too. My friend took it and developed Seroquel Induced Diabetes.
I have sleep issues too but don't take any sleep aids. The longest I've been awake is a little over 4 days.
What's the medication plan for your Bipolar after you stop Seroquel? Hopefully that will improve your sleep.
Do you practice all the healthy sleep habits?
Was it in 2018 when you developed bipolar?
Take care,
Jake

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I also have a friend that was diagnosed with diabetes while taking Seroquel. He also gained a lot of weight. I’m talking 100 lbs. This is one drug I would never take unless I was truly physchotic. Doctors are handing this drug out like candy now that Benzos have fallen out of favor.

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@misssusie0625

I was on 200mg of seroquel and ambien. Ambien stopped working. I went off that. My doc prescribed hydroxizine, lunesta, and ativan.
I slowly weaned down 25mg of the seroquel and started with the above meds. I went down on the seroquel about every two weeks. I take magnesium glycinate, glycine, vitamin b6, melatonin and 1mg ativan. I went for months where I don't think I slept at all.
Now I'll use up to 3mg of ativan every other day with melatonin, magnesium. Next night hydroxizine, glycine and melatonin. I also started drinking chamomile tea every night.
My sleep is better but I'm lucky if I get 4 to 5 hours a night.

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That’s a lot of Ativan. Be careful with that.

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I just recently got off Seroquel, about a month ago. I had been on it for years. I gained a lot of weight and stopped moving and it was contributing to my depression.

Before I stopped I cleaned up my diet, no sugar and few simple carbohydrates like pasta. I also began exercising with the purpose of having my remaining years mean something. After all the meds I’ve been on I have no idea how long that will be. I guess none of us do. I’m on disability. I have plenty of time.

I met with my psych provider and my PCP and got their support. Here is my warning; the following worked for me. It is not a recommendation.

I had been on 300 mg, dropped to 150mg last year. Mid July I just stopped. I also dropped Ativan at the same time.

I exercise two hours a day (walking is exercise, I lift weights and bike) and eat clean. I’ve been able to drop 25 pounds in six weeks and I feel the best I have in decades.

Now, my sleep is messed up but improving. At first I really didn’t sleep. Little by little it has improved. Now I sleep three hours then two and then one for a total of six. Not great but getting better.

I was terribly suicidal so anything is better than where I was. I’m still on lot of meds, four psych meds and three to treat the side effects. I’ve now begun reducing two of those, with my providers support. Decreasing Effexor seems to be helping the quality of my sleep, but who knows.

The only reason my docs are supporting me is that I did a lot of research and presented it to them with a plan.

I had to do my homework work, the doctors do not have the time. I know more about my meds and how they interact than they do, by a long shot.

The two top recommendations for pretty much everything are eat a healthful diet and exercise.

I’ve learned after a long period of suicidal depression preceded by a terrible period of mani, that the answers don’t come in a pill.

Don’t get me wrong meds can help, but the answers are in us. Our bodies, if treated well are better at healing us than any doctor or medicine. I decided to give my body a little help.

My ex-wife told me this for years. I just had write her a letter apologizing for not listening, she might still be my wife if I had.

I wish you sunny days and cool nights as you deal with this change. I hope there is something here that you can use.

Be well!

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@sears

I like Mayo Clinic. When googling a drug such as Seroquel you can depend on Google to give you an accurate answer as to what the drug is, side effects, etc. in my opinion. Maybe not so much when researching medical conditions. That could certainly get confusing .

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I didn’t think of seroquel as having withdrawal symptoms. It’s not a benzo like Xanax, klonopin, adavan, Valium etc. I take 100 mg at bedtime and .25 in the morning with 150 mg of Wellbutrin and I sleep within an hour after taking my bedtime seroquel.

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@andytheman

I didn’t think of seroquel as having withdrawal symptoms. It’s not a benzo like Xanax, klonopin, adavan, Valium etc. I take 100 mg at bedtime and .25 in the morning with 150 mg of Wellbutrin and I sleep within an hour after taking my bedtime seroquel.

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Yes it does have withdrawal symptoms. You do need to taper off this drug, you can’t just stop.

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