Answer/Reply:

Seroquel works so well for those with insomnia/anxiety that either does not respond to benzos (i.e. Restoril) and/or hypnotics (i.e. Ambien). I take it for the same reasons- have been for about two years- and am so much better w/out the benzos (and I won't take hypnotics). It definitely works for certain people, esp. those who wish not to develop a masive dependence on benzos and/or barbiturates and/or hypnotics. I concur entirely with above testimonial, and encourage those who have struggled with sleep for far too long to consult with their doctors and see if a SMALL dosage of Seroquel at night ONLY is indicated. Ask your doctor- seriously, it changed my life. No more ativan or xanax or valium or ambien or restoril, etc. Much much better.
Caveat: unless you have prescription insurance, it is very very expensive for a one month scrip. As in over $350.00. Worth it for sleep- for day time management of various conditions, I don't know.
Good answer, above, and good luck to all sleepless peeps- lady j

32 year old Female

Posted: 2008-10-04 12:52:20

iGuard.org Answer/Reply:

I have been taking Seroquel 75mg at night for sleep for at least 5 years now. I love it. I have chronic, severe insomnia but don't do well with ambien or benzos. Those drugs drugged me but didn't help me get any therapeutic, nourishing sleep. Seroquel doesn't feel like a drug to me, it feels subtle, and like it is somehow decreasing the amplitude of my brain waves so that I can shut down for a reasonable number of hours. Ambien/Ativan gave me more like a synthetic sleep of poor quality and short duration that left me feeling unhealthy during my waking hours. In times of extreme stress they actually made my sleep worse.
I have run across one primary care doctor who was uncomfortable prescribing Seroquel, despite my established history of doing well on it. He made me go to a psychiatrist for the script; she had no problem giving it to me. Does anyone know of any studies evaluating effects of long term use of low dose Seroquel?

Posted: 2008-10-05 22:32:43

Answer/Reply:

Yes, your body does develop a tolerance under your pre-exisitng conditions. Try to reduce, is my advice- I take Seroquel @ 150 mgs a night for insomnia per many of the same conditions (no eating disorders, but the panic/depression, yes). I find it works much more effectively when one can tritate down in increments- but yes, again, tolerance builds. The less you can take that is effective, the much much better. Good luck-
lady j

32 year old Female

Posted: 2008-10-04 12:46:24

Answer/Reply:

I have been a severe insomniac my entire life to the point of driving me crazy. Jan of 2007 after suicide attempt (10% chance of living but pulled through) these are my Meds I take, Seroquel 600, Wellbutrin 450, Cymbalta 60-120, Topamax 100, Lamictal 200, Xanax up to 2 mg as needed.

My life suprisingly enough was well enough no xanax for over a year but I, thank god, have not built any tolerance for my dosage at all. My other meds are taken in the morning except the Topamax which is well known for enhancing the effects of other meds, for migraines, weight loss, alchohol cessation, reduces appearances of scars etc....... I brought info to my doctor and this is probably why I have not built up any tolerances. When I am very med resistant.

Hope you get it back I have heard that if it is taken during the day you learn to fight it and this could also be another way it's effectiveness is reduced.

39 year old Female

Posted: 2008-12-22 02:16:10

Answer/Reply:

personally I think your dr is nuts!!!

31 year old Male

Posted: 2008-09-30 18:29:31

iGuard.org Answer/Reply:

i think most docs will give you whatever you tell them you want. remember what they are doing is called, "practicing". They don't have any more of a clue as to what you need than a man in the moon. People tell their docs whatever they want, so they can get whatever they want.

Posted: 2008-10-01 00:13:48

Answer/Reply:

YOU DESPERATELY NEED A NEW DR.. SHE IS WAY OVERMEDICATED

DR. K

39 year old Female

Posted: 2008-10-01 21:09:27

iGuard.org Answer/Reply:

HER DOC. IS NUTS !!!!!!!! I am outraged at this. That this still goes on. I've been where she is. Please, get her help, soon. And, as a "gift" to yourself, for you too. God be with you & yours.

Posted: 2008-10-03 22:22:53

Answer/Reply:

I concur- that dosage is WAY too high- I'm amazed she's cogent at all. Reduce as much as possible- and yes, a new Doc is probably in order, too. My 82 yr old paranoid grandma takes a grand total of 600 mgs throughout the day and night, and she's a mess- can't imagine how much worse it gets at those levels. Good luck!
-lady j

32 year old Female

Posted: 2008-10-04 12:44:12

Answer/Reply:

you should get your doctor to put you on something else if all you want it for is to sleep. I take 100mg in the morning and 300mg at night . I suffer from extreme PTSD . This med helps keep me calm and allows me to sleep at night sometimes but not all the time. If you just want sleep find something else or find a different doctor.

39 year old Female

Posted: 2008-09-10 02:26:51

Answer/Reply:

I believe your doctor has the answer for you. I strongly suggest you ask about the side effects of taking lithium. I have friends who are taking lithium for treating bi-polar started 8 years ago. Her doctor told her ahead of time that if she decided to take or she needed to take lithium, she will stick w/ the pill the rest of her life, plus other side effects. My friend agreed after listening to all the pros and cons from her doctor. And of course, she was getting serious at the moment. Recently, a doctor told me that there is another type of medication to treat bi-polar. It's a combination of 2 medications: Zyprexa and 1 other drug. You should ask your doctor.

35 year old Female

Posted: 2008-08-15 05:47:08

Answer/Reply:

yes it is common

17 year old Male

Posted: 2008-08-30 16:38:46

iGuard.org Answer/Reply:

does seroquil make a person sick all day with side effects like dizziness drowsiness and bad mingraine headaches

Posted: 2008-07-21 14:13:41

iGuard.org Answer/Reply:

Seroquel has a warning regarding its potential to cause cataracts with long-term use. At this time there is limited information to support a direct association between Seroquel and cataracts. However, because the risk is not completely ruled out, many people will routinely have eye exams to monitor for cataracts.

Posted: 2008-06-18 15:27:31

iGuard.org Answer/Reply:

I am 54, have been taking seroquel for 8 years, sometimes up to 400 mg, and I have catarcts in both my eyes.

Posted: 2009-02-13 18:03:35

Answer/Reply:

My daughter is 8 and on Seroquel for sleeping. She also has ADHD. I'm not sure about the mood thing, but she has had the same problem. I thought it was from the ADHD medications. I am beginning to wonder though, because they have switched and her moods have not changed. If you find out, I would appreciate it if you let me know. Thanks

30 year old Female

Posted: 2008-08-02 22:40:42

Answer/Reply:

I do not believe that the moods are from the Seroquel I have Bi-Polar, border-line Schizophrenia, and ADHD. I have been taking Seroquel for 3 years now 800mg a day and i haven't had bad mood caused by this medicine. ODD is a new found term for Bi-Polar 2. Does your son take depression meds? You can Email me at Smsleader@gmail.com if you would like me to explain.

17 year old Male

Posted: 2008-08-30 16:44:51

iGuard.org Answer/Reply:

You don't have to take anything you are a 40 year old woman you can switch to a different doctor who listens to you. You could go to a nutritionist/psychologist who can work with you also. Trust your own body and how you feel. Just because you suffer from bipolar does not mean you do not know how this medicine makes you feel. There are lawsuits against this drug because of the diabetes it is causing.

Posted: 2008-07-12 13:23:13