Struggling on quetiapine

[PipersOrange]

I've been put on a 200mg of quetiapine by a psychiatrist as I'm having awful intrusive thoughts about ds, however I am really really struggling with it, I didn't take it last night and I feel infinitely better already. When I take it I am spaced out all day, feel sick and weak and cannot hold a conversation with anyone; I went to a baby group yesterday and had to leave early as I couldn't focus on what anyone was saying. It feels detrimental as it's making me housebound and I'm snapping at ds as I've got no patience . I want to stop taking it but there are SS involved and I'm pretty sure they wouldn't be happy about me stopping. Does it get easier? I've been on it for about a week now and I can't keep this up long term if it doesn't.

I'm on quetiapine, I started on 200mg and now take 400mg. It was tough to start with, it's very sedating so I take mine at about 7 Pm and that makes the next day bearable without me being in a total zombie like state.
It really does get easier but it is hard to start with. Do you think your psychiatrist would put you on a lower dose and increase it steadily?

I started on 25 and worked up 25 at a time. Never took it after 8pm as it spaced me out too much in the morning. I did work up to 125 and functioned on that fine I couldn't have imagined being on that when I was spaced out at 25 so yes it does improve. From my experience 200 is a huge dose to just start on from nothing and I'm at all surprised you are struggling. Eventually I stopped it as it just made me tired and fat. It clearly isn't helped at all as I had no problems coming straight off. Can you talk to the psych to explain your struggles and say why you would like to come off being open to trying something else. Aripiprazole might be a good option to suggest? I tried that after the quetiapine. I would hope that by communicating SS won't have a problem. They can't go around demanding you be on tablets that don't suit or help you surely? They are supposed to be supporting you to get better and if that means a different medication so be it. Good luck.

I started on 100mg for 2 days and then onto 200mg. I hadn't even thought about going to work on it, I'm on maternity leave at the moment but I start in two weeks. There is no way I would be able to work in this state. I'm currently taking them at 6pm and I don't feel normal until about 3pm the next day. I have a meeting with my psychiatrist on monday, I texted my perinatal mental health worker today but she hasn't got back to me yet. I'm really worried this will be seen as 'not cooperating' as my SS worker said today the main thing they are looking for is me going to appointments and taking medication - I missed an appointment two days ago as it was in the morning and I couldn't get myself there on time (it was the first day of going up to 200mg). I will ask about the other drug and see if they can stagger me up through the amounts a bit more, it seems like this has been a bit of a sudden jump.

Everyone knows it's a process finding the rights meds for you so I'm sure they would be happy to try something else. By keeping in contact and being willing to try something else you are totally cooperating. As for the appointment it was the meds they put you on that caused that so just explain. It sounds like you're going through a very difficult and stressful time. Could you get signed off work?

That's a really big dose to start on. I take it for bipolar and started on 25, then 50 and so on. you need to discuss the side effects with your psych as it may be better to titrate at a more gentle pace.

The side effects can be really harsh. If I want to be able to get up in the morning, I have to take it early. Forgetfulness, lack of concentration and muscle weakness are all side effects that have quite a big impact on day to day functioning. I try to keep to the smallest dose possible, only taking a lot when manic.

I'm not a fan of quetiapine to be honest, but it's better than being ill, that's all I can say about it!

I can't be signed off as I haven't actually started working there yet (when I say maternity leave I just mean time not working due to a baby, I was finishing my studies so it wasn't paid). Can't afford to not work either really. I took my dosage for tomorrow at 6pm tonight and I'm still awake, I'm not sure if it's just really slow releasing with me as the doctor made me think that I would be asleep an hour after taking it.

See I really am not feeling the benefits of it yet. I feel like it's making me resent ds more as I'm so tired and impatient and I just want to sleep. Hopefully it gets better soon. I'm seeing my doctor on Monday so will hopefully find a solution then.

Hi OP, I have found this tablet my absolute life saver, literally! I suffer with pre natal depression and a year ago I was sectioned while pregnant and the only thing that gave me me back was this tablet BUT I refuse to take it during the day, I take 300mg at night and I wake up full of energy, you WILL get used to the drowsiness but I still refuse to take it during the day as I have 2 little ones to look after, there's no harm in you asking to take it at night or even try it yourself, it doesn't matter to your doctor when you take it what's more important is that the tablet whets you better.
My mum has been in and out of mental health units for asking eg as I remember and since taking quietiapine at NIGHT she's hasn't been ill since xx

Like Candlefairy, Quetiapine has been a life saver for me. I've been on it for about 7 years. I'm not a fan of the side effects (especially the weight gain ) but on balance it's worth it.
I've just had a dose increase due to manic symptoms and it's really knocked me. I'm exhausted, dizzy and struggling to look after myself and DS. I know from previous experience though that I'll be back to my normal level of functioning within a couple of weeks. I hope you start to feel better on it soon. There are other meds though and your psychiatrist will know that medication isn't a 'one size fits all' situation. SS should know that too. Keep being honest with them and open to treatment (which it sounds like you are) and hopefully you'll find what works for you.
All the best.

i had my quetiapine dose reduced part because of the funnyheadedness, and seem better with it (150 mg nocte).