Getting off of Seroquel

Posted by anniegk @anniegk, Jun 8, 2018

I have been on 300 mgs. Seroquel ER for over a year for augmenting my antidepressant which is 45 mgs. Of Mirtazapine. I decided to try and get off of the Seroquel. I was on 300mgs ER (extended release). I titrated down to 250 mg ER for 2 months without too many problems.than i titrated down to 200mgs ER just 5 days ago. My plan is to try to titrate off using ER tablets. My thinking is that perhaps the drug will remove its self from my system more gradually. I have had some nausea and a couple of episodes of diarrhea. I also have a very irregular heart beat and was started on 60 mgs of Propranolol ER (extended release) 4 weeks ago. It seems to be helping my heartbeat. I have wondered if the nausea and light headness is from the Propranolol, a Beta Blocker, or the dose reduction of the Seroquel. I also wonder if the way iam titrating the Seroquel is safe. My doctor says it will only take a couple of weeks...I think that is too fast of a taper after being on a drug for over a year. What do you think?

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@ricardos

That sounds strange.

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Can you please clarify what you find strange?

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Update on quitting seroquel carolxi
I wanted to post this update as hope for those going off seroquel. My main point is only take the non-drowsy antihistamine when needed, not every day.
I last mentioned that I quit seroquel 6.25 mg and substituted 1 mg of clonazepam + 10 mg of sublinox. I was itchy all over about day 2 or 3, so took one non-drowsy antihistamine. I was fine for a other 2 days and the itch returned so I took one more non-drowsy antihistamine and I've been fine since then. Saw my psychiatrist Monday and he advised me to wean off the clonazepam in 2 weeks from 1 mg to 0.75.

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I was on seroquel 400mg for years my doctor took me down to 100mg and I had trouble sleeping. Started me on melatonin and prazosin hcl 5mg it works for me

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@daphnesioux

I was on seroquel 400mg for years my doctor took me down to 100mg and I had trouble sleeping. Started me on melatonin and prazosin hcl 5mg it works for me

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Hi I saw your post and was wondering how you are doing now on the melatonin and prazosin. Last night finally fell asleep around 4am, but that was after taking 5 mg lorazepam and taking 10 mg dose of trintellix. I'm pretty wiped out and discouraged. I'm afraid that mixing the melatonin with the these other 2 meds might be a little "iffy." Any thoughts?

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@carolxi

Update on quitting seroquel carolxi
I wanted to post this update as hope for those going off seroquel. My main point is only take the non-drowsy antihistamine when needed, not every day.
I last mentioned that I quit seroquel 6.25 mg and substituted 1 mg of clonazepam + 10 mg of sublinox. I was itchy all over about day 2 or 3, so took one non-drowsy antihistamine. I was fine for a other 2 days and the itch returned so I took one more non-drowsy antihistamine and I've been fine since then. Saw my psychiatrist Monday and he advised me to wean off the clonazepam in 2 weeks from 1 mg to 0.75.

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I'm going out on a limb here, but it looks like you're trying to titrate off the meds because your dosages are so low. I am too and have been battling withdrawal symptoms from a cocktail of various anti-anxiety, anti-depressant, and anti-psychotic medications. I'm 72 and my body and brain just can't handle the dosages that were prescribed for me when I was in my 30s. Most of the negative stressors in my life are gone - so I'm able to handle day to day without the meds by changing diet, exercise, etc. But the sleeplessness is debilitating. You don't mention sleeplessness did you have problems with that?

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@rainer

Hi I saw your post and was wondering how you are doing now on the melatonin and prazosin. Last night finally fell asleep around 4am, but that was after taking 5 mg lorazepam and taking 10 mg dose of trintellix. I'm pretty wiped out and discouraged. I'm afraid that mixing the melatonin with the these other 2 meds might be a little "iffy." Any thoughts?

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I take melatonin nightly. There will be no interactions as it’s a natural substance

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How large a dosage? I'll give it a try - I'm having to cancel too many activities. Thanks.

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@jh1

I take melatonin nightly. There will be no interactions as it’s a natural substance

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Melatonin may be a nature substance but even those can have side effects. It gave me HORRIBLE anxiety.

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@iceblue

Melatonin may be a nature substance but even those can have side effects. It gave me HORRIBLE anxiety.

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Did you find anyway to get to sleep?

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@rainer

I'm going out on a limb here, but it looks like you're trying to titrate off the meds because your dosages are so low. I am too and have been battling withdrawal symptoms from a cocktail of various anti-anxiety, anti-depressant, and anti-psychotic medications. I'm 72 and my body and brain just can't handle the dosages that were prescribed for me when I was in my 30s. Most of the negative stressors in my life are gone - so I'm able to handle day to day without the meds by changing diet, exercise, etc. But the sleeplessness is debilitating. You don't mention sleeplessness did you have problems with that?

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Hi Rainer, interesting that you ask - last night I did not sleep until 8am this morning and woke at 12;30 pm so about 4 or 5 hrs. I'm going to write my psych today and see what he says. The night before, I slept 11 hrs, so my sleep pattern is screwed up right now. Currently, I'm off seroquel and taking 1 mg clonazepam + 10 mg sublinox. I'm thinking that I might just tough it out, or maybe this one night has nothing to do with stopping seroquel.

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