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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Any experience with quetiapine?

30 replies

LittleBlackCat22 · 30/06/2021 18:18

Just started taking it due to not being able to take lithium in pregnancy. It is completely knocking me unconscious! It says sleepiness is normal but asleep as soon as I take it (half in the morning g half at night). It means if I have to go out somewhere in the day then I can’t take it. Im due to increase the dose in 2 days and im worried.

OP posts:
GetTaeFuck · 30/06/2021 18:20

What dose are you on?

I take mine at night, 150mg currently. Couldn’t tolerate splitting them through the day.

Original poster
LittleBlackCat22 · 30/06/2021 18:21

100mg. Half a Tablet on the morning and half at night.

OP posts:
thereisnophalange · 30/06/2021 18:59

Its a sedating anti-psychotic. I was on 400mg - half in morning & half at night.
It was great for getting to sleep at night but during the day I was wiped out.
After 2 months, I refused it.
Am now on lamotrigine (a mood stabiliser like lithium is) with almost no side effects, might this be an option?

EKGEMS · 30/06/2021 19:00

Yes it has really helped my SN son with his mood disorder-been on it a little over 7 years

minimadgirl · 30/06/2021 19:02

I was on 400mg at night but got that dropped to 200mg after a discussion with my doctor.
It would knock me out, in the end I came off it as I couldn't function at work the next morning.

LadyFidgetAndHerHandbag · 30/06/2021 19:04

I couldn't function on it and when I was awake it made me loopy (I started seeing and hearing things that weren't there). I switched to lamotrigine and it's been so much better but I don't think it can be taken in pregnancy unfortunately.

mawbroon · 30/06/2021 19:09

I tried a couple of other antipsychotics first, but quetiapine works best for me.
I only take it at night. Slow release ones.

For the full picture, I am also on Lamotragine and sertraline

thereisnophalange · 30/06/2021 19:10

@LadyFidgetAndHerHandbag

I couldn't function on it and when I was awake it made me loopy (I started seeing and hearing things that weren't there). I switched to lamotrigine and it's been so much better but I don't think it can be taken in pregnancy unfortunately.
I'm pretty sure it can be taken whilst pregnant, but pregnancy makes you metabolise it faster therefore the dosage has to be higher than it otherwise would be.
BichonFrizz · 30/06/2021 19:13

I take 125mg - all at night. It's been a life saver for me. I started on a split dose but all at night works perfectly for me. 6 years on it now

InTropicalTrumpsLand · 30/06/2021 19:15

It knocked me out too. I took it as a mood stabilizer and my psychiatrist eventually replaced it for Risperidone, which worked much better.

pandyandy1 · 30/06/2021 19:20

I used to take it and it did wonders for me.
But, I took all of my prescribed (slow release) dose just before bed. I was literally asleep before my head hit the pillow.

greenmacaron · 30/06/2021 19:24

I’ve seen it work well OP. For some people the sleepiness wears off once they’ve been taking it a week or two.

Can you ask your doctor about the alternatives, if it doesn’t wear off for you? I’d imagine a different antipsychotic might be an option if quetiapine doesn’t suit you.

TheMusicalFruit · 30/06/2021 19:29

The sleepiness does fade with time but I really think whoever suggested you take it in the morning needs to have a rethink. I take 800mg in total. It’s split into 400mg MR at dinner time and 400mg at bedtime. It doesn’t help me sleep at all now as I’ve been taking it for so long. Two other things to note are that there is an inverse relationship between dose and somnolence at lower doses and it can cause unbelievable weight gain if you’re not super careful. I’m switching to something else because it makes my brain feel dreadfully slow and lithium does most of the heavy lifting for me.

Ikeatears · 30/06/2021 19:34

The sleepiness does wear off eventually but, for me, the huge weight gain added to my depression.

Original poster
LittleBlackCat22 · 30/06/2021 20:08

Is the weight gain due to eating more? Or does it mess with metabolism?

OP posts:
2brokegirls · 30/06/2021 20:26

I was on it for 7 months, gained 3 stone, couldn't stay awake, no energy .(I'm a fitness instructor and couldn't exercise cos I was so drained all the time) so I weaned myself off it and feel much better now. It helped me avoid a breakdown in sept but not for me I'm afraid. Hated who I became on it. I was not myself. Husband even pointed out recently I was like a total zombie for 7 months. Yet others I spoken to it's worked amazing for them. It's trial and error same with all medications

inthekitchensink · 30/06/2021 20:28

I can only take it at night - I’m out like a light in 45 mins and sleep like the dead. Can you do that?

VettiyaIruken · 30/06/2021 20:34

My youngest is on it.
He's added quite a bit of weight. it improved his ability to sleep for a while but that seems to have got a bit worse lately. He is less aggressive though which is fantastic.

Can you talk to your GP and maybe change the time you take it?

GetTaeFuck · 30/06/2021 20:42

@LittleBlackCat22

Is the weight gain due to eating more? Or does it mess with metabolism?
Not sure.

I’ve gained 4 stone in the last year, however I was on Quet for 6 months and didn’t gain any weight, just my usual period weight.

The real weight gain came with Pregabalin… 400mg at night, that shit has made me pushing morbidly obese (I’m only 5”2 and currently weigh 13st 10lbs, I’m usually 10st). It’s made me lazy, dopey and crave sugar. Obvs lockdowns haven’t helped (I’m a single parent) and I’m hoping like all fuck that I can shift at least a stone over the summer.

Original poster
LittleBlackCat22 · 30/06/2021 21:11

I don’t want to take this…. I’m going to stop

OP posts:
VettiyaIruken · 30/06/2021 21:20

Please don't just stop. Please talk to your doctor. These are not medications you can mess about with. Flowers

BichonFrizz · 30/06/2021 21:38

Call your gp tomorrow to discuss it. Please don't just stop without talking through your options first.

Original poster
LittleBlackCat22 · 30/06/2021 21:52

I only started it last night so don’t need to wean off it or anything. Having a hard time being pregnant and bipolar. I’m so miserable Sad

OP posts:
PandasCatsWolves · 30/06/2021 22:00

I've been in MH hospital for long periods and seen people arrive one after another get out on quetiapine and literally gain weight in front of my eyes. I gained 2 stone. Made me so hungry snd fucked up metabolism.

Weight came off after it.

raffegiraffe · 30/06/2021 22:06

It will improve, it's incredibly sedating at first, but if you can't tolerate it try night time only or ask for the modified release which is a heck of a lot more expensive but should be given to people who can't tolerate the immediate release if it's the best choice for them. It seems like you have a good case, esp if it's temporary and you'll probably go back to lithium, the king of mood stabilizers, once you can. Good luck