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.

Anyone?

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.

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?

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

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.

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.

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?

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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!

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!