Bipolar & Quietapine

[lauratheexplorer]

Hi everyone.

I saw my psychiatrist a few days ago and after six long months on Depakote she changed me to Quietapine. I'm on 100mg for 4 days then 200mg for four days and 300mg for two weeks before deciding whether to up them further.

I took my first pill last night. I felt fine until I didn't. About 40 minutes in I was tired, uncoordinated and just wanted to lay down and sleep. I did...for 13 hours! I woke up at 1pm groggy and irritable and just about managed to stomach half a two egg omelette. After a coffee I feel slightly better.

Does this get worse with increased dosage or will it settle down? As an insomniac whether high or low the tiredness was great so I don't want that to go away but the other stuff can sod off.

I have a hen night at the end of August. I wasn't told not to drink on them but a quick Google search told me not to. I don't plan on getting wasted but I have been looking forward to a bottle of wine for months as I don't often go out or drink at home. Any experiences? I plan on asking my CPN and my psychiatrist ina few weeks too.

Sorry for the waffle. I don't really know what I was trying to say. I guess I'm just aaking for experiences.

[lauratheexplorer]

Anyone?

[fedupandtired]

Yes the side effects will settle down once you get used to it.

Re: drinking, it depends on how alcohol and quetiapine together effect you. Of course the official line is not to drink whilst taking them but I do although never after I've taken one; so I'll go out drinking then take my meds when I get home and go straight to bed. That's just me though, some people can't tolerate any alcohol while taking any medication.

[lauratheexplorer]

Previously I've been okay on medication with alcohol but I'm not so sure with this one as I've obviously not tried. Should I try a pint before meds one night?

[fedupandtired]

I honestly wouldn't want to encourage anyone to drink whilst taking meds so it's entirely your call.

[KeemaNaanAndCurryOn]

I'm on 600-650mg of Quetiapine for bipolar and was zonked for the first couple of weeks on it, but now it doesn't knock me out at all and I even do a lot of exercise when I'm on it.

Each time the dose goes up, you get a couple of days where it really hits you, but then its OK.

The only down side that I've found is that it makes me ravenous, but I combat that by doing lots of bicycling and keeping healthy snacks to hand.

[KeemaNaanAndCurryOn]

I'm the same as FedUp in that I don't take the meds and drink afterwards, but I have on a couple of occasions gone out for drinks and then taken them when I get home.

I'm not drinking much at all at the moment as I don't need anything that can depress me, but its been OK the couple of occasions that I have.

[lauratheexplorer]

I'm feeling a bit wobbly and definitely groggy three days into 100mg. Going up to 200mg tomorrow and so on. I think I'd either have to skip a dose and still not go on a bender or not drink at all. I'm going to ask my CPN.

Did it help for bi polar?

[KeemaNaanAndCurryOn]

Well I'm not quite as nuts as I used to be, so I guess that its a yes

[LesleyPumpshaft]

I dont know how well it works for most people, but I am on Lamotrigine for bipolar. I find it very effective as long as I remember to take it. There don't seem to be many side effects either.

I have kidney problems, so I have to be careful with meds.

[fedupandtired]

It's been a bit of a wonder drug for me and enables me to lead a near normal life with very few side effects. A fair few people put on weight with it but luckily I haven't.

[lauratheexplorer]

I''ve not noticed any other side effects apart from the tiredness and fuziness for about two hours the next morning. Like a zombie.

[lauratheexplorer]

Last night I went up to 200mg. I slept a lot and woke up with a very dry mouth luckily I'm not too much of a zombie today. In a week we're going up to 300mg then to 400mg.

[KeemaNaanAndCurryOn]

That sounds positive. I've found it really helps as an antidepressant as well as levelling my moods. I've not had a dry mouth, just a ravenous appetite!

[lauratheexplorer]

I''ve noticed an increase in appetite too but I put it down to the effects of the depo injection wearing off. Might be to do with the pills!