Does anyone have any experience of using Quetiapine?

[NorkyButNice]

I was diagnosed with PND about a year ago, was on Sertraline first then changed to Amitriptyline to see if it would help with my migraines as well as the depression.

Things haven't been at all good recently, so I was referred for a psychiatric assessment at the Priory near me on my work private healthcare. At my appointment today he's upped my Amitriptyline and also put me on Quetiapine.

Just wondering what to expect when I start taking it tonight. Does it have a sedating effect immediately? My current issues are with awful dreams about killing myself, my family, the children dying in accidents...as well as waking thoughts about all the above. Am scared to go to sleep at night so helping the new drugs will help.

[madmouse]

My experience is limited to one single tablet in an emergency situation but I thought I'd offer it in case no one with proper experience is around.

It calmed me down and made me feel all warm and sleepy in about 15 minutes. After a whole weekend in a state of unmanageable anxiety due to a reaction against another drug that was a huge relief and I was also very tired. For me it was a pleasant feeling an a huge relief. I wasn't totally out of it. I could have competently cooked a meal but would not have driven a car.

[NorkyButNice]

Thank you for the reply Madmouse - I really appreciate it.

The thought of lying down and going straight to sleep without nightmares is wonderful.

Will I be ok to drive tomorrow morning?

[Upwardandonward]

I have taken various doses of quetiapine. It will make you feel zonked, and should help with passing out on the sofa getting off to sleep. When I first started it I used to try and fight the sedation effect, which isn't wise - much better to be ready for bed, take the quetiapine, and go to bed asap. Some people feel a bit 'hungover' in the mornings, but lots of those drugs are like that. Are you being built up to a dose, or is it 25-50 mg at night? I hope it helps you!

[madmouse]

I'm not sure I can answer the question about driving in the morning. I'm not sure I was fit to drive (so didn't) but I had been really unwell that weekend and was still very jittery. I don't think I was too drowsy to drive.

[NorkyButNice]

Have just taken it, am already in bed awaiting zonk-Dom.

Legs are feeling warm and tingly already.

Thanks both for your replies.

[TheyCallMeMimi]

How are you? DH has been on this for about 3-4 weeks. He's been on 50mg. He had not been sleeping well at all - a lot of insomnia - and these really do knock him out. First 2 evenings he took them, he slept until the middle of the day and was far too tired to go to work. He's reckons he needs to take them mid-evening if he's going to function properly the next day. He's about to go up to 2 tablets and is bracing himself... Hope they help you anyway.

[NorkyButNice]

I'm on 25mg at the moment - it still took me a while to get to sleep but once out I slept a lot better than normal. DH said it was near impossible to wake me at 7.45 this morning - had to get up to take the kids to nursery.

Came home and had to collapse on sofa, am feeling knackered and my brain is refusing to engage.

How has your DH found taking the meds? Does he think they've helped at all (assuming he was taking them for mental health issues, not just insomnia).

[Upwardandonward]

Your body seems to adjust to it eventually. I take 700mg , and I'm told it has helped my MH.

[Upwardandonward]

I'd be interested in how people find it too, particularly anyone on a 300+ mg dose.

[TheyCallMeMimi]

Glad it helped you sleep, Norky. DH is indeed taking them for MH issues, the insomnia was just a part of that. Too early to tell yet, whether it's really making a difference or not.
Upward, how long have you been on it then, and how did you get to be taking 700mg?

[Upwardandonward]

It's used for different things, TheyCallMeMimi - I've known people who mainly have it for helping with sleep (tends to be low dose), but it can also be used for bipolar (levelling mood), or depression, or psychosis. I've seen people taking it as one dose, or twice a day. The patient information leaflet says the normal dose is 150mg to 800 mg.

My dose got to be as above because that is where my psychiatrist felt it was working best - because I was hospitalised, they were perhaps less cautious. Although it helps my sleep a bit, I do tend to be a bit zonked until lunchtime....but I'm told that I am much better on it than off it (I cannot remember what I was like).

[NorkyButNice]

Thought I'd do a quick update as to how the low dosage is kicking in.

I'm certainly feeling the mental grogginess during the day, as well as being physically drained - could lie on the sofa sleeping all day.

Spoke to my psychiatrist over the weekend as he's planning to up the dosage when I see him tomorrow. I'm still having intrusive thoughts during the day and at bedtime, but once asleep I'm sleeping deeper and without the nightmares.

[Upwardandonward]

I'm glad your sleep is a little easier. I think a lot of people get the grogginess, but over time it should hopefully lift. I hope your appointment goes well tomorrow.