Quetaiapine help

[Cmblue]

Iv been put on quetaipine for resistant depression and anxiety among other mental health issues, iv been on it for a week and am getting terrible side effects, I feel sick, weak, dizzy more anxious. Has anyone taken this medication and had side effects or found it effective?

Hello. I'm wondering if anyone is on Quetiapine for bipolar 2? How effective have you found it? My OH is on it after finally getting a correct diagnosis after 10 years of awfulness. I'm hoping it will make a big difference... But he doesn't like the side effects....

Colouring we are struggling with the side effects, what dose is he on? How longs he been taking it?

He's on 450. He was also recommended sodium valporate alongside which he refused. I'm trying to find out how common it is to treat bipolar 2 with quetiapine on its own. I'm v worried he'll have another crisis...

Colouring he's on a high dose of quetiapine, what side effects is he having? How long has he been taking it, sodium is often used as a mood stabilizer, but quietiapine is supposed to have mood controlling property's from what iv read about it.

I am being assessed for Bipolar 11 and so far I am only on 150mg of quetiapine. Struggling with the side effects too. At first it helped me sleep but now doesn't seem to so I am sleeping every other day which is just an awful way to live. I had a mild episode of hypomania after taking Mirtazapine. There is lots of information out there and hopefully other people who have had it a while can be more helpful.

I can't really describe the hypomania CMblue, just bizarre behaviour that was a bit out of character, some impulse spending and having a bit more energy than usual. Last night I ended up taking the emergency sleeping pills that were given if I was without sleep for 2 days. I hadn't but I just wanted to sleep two nights in a row. A bit cross with myself now. I am getting huge panic/anxiety attacks at night when I can't sleep. I have been advised to get out of bed when this happens but I just can't face going and sitting in the cold downstairs. Worried that this pattern will never be broken. How are you today?

Don't beat yourself up about taking the sleeping tablets Babette, insomnia is so isolating and frustrating. I find myself waking up in the night feeling panicky and don't know what to do with myself. I'm feeling weak and on edge today, I'm still lying in bed. I wish I had the will to get up be happy and just go for a walk, just a simple thing it's so frustrating. How are you feeling? What have you got planned for the day?

Nothing planned for today although should probably go food shopping if tomorrow is going to be a no sleep day. Does your anxiety allow you to get to sleep? I don't really get anxiety during the day just if I think that I won't sleep then it is off the scale. I am feeling kind of numb today and have that horrible metallic taste when you take sleeping pills. I hope you get out for a shop.

Iv found that antipsychotics help me get to sleep if I haven't slept in the day but not stay asleep, I get awful anxiety through the day, it's crippling especially in busy environments. I think my mum is going to come to the shop with me because I still can't go on my own which is ridiculous. I need my independence back. Will you get help with your shopping?

Don't feel bad about having your mum go shopping with you, anything that we can do to get through this is good. I don't know yet if I can go shopping by myself. The shopping doesn't bother me it is the tiredness and worry about driving in this state that is the problem. I am glad that you can get some sleep.I sense that bed is your safe place. I will hope for tonight as I can't take sleeping pills again as I want to have some in case things really go downhill

Ye I retire to my bed far to often tho, do you have a bedtime routine? Do you feel your sleep has improved at all since you take the quetiapine? Do you worry most at night?? I really do hope the tiredness and zombie feeling from this med does get easier.

Yes, do have a bedtime routine but I think now my bed has become the enemy because of the sleepless nights so I think I will have to get up if I can't sleep. Sleep improved for about 2 or 3 days when I first started taking Q but it seems less sedating at the higher dose. I feel like sleep would be very healing so I would be glad that you can get some respite at least. I would say that you are going to start feeling less zombi like this week cmblue, hope so.

CMblue - my brother takes this Quetaiapine and it has saved him from deep, deep depression/personality disorder. Did you know they do a slow release version of the drug which he has found so much more effective? The symptoms should subside somewhat too. Sorry if this has already been mentioned in the thread.

Yes cmblue, poker is right, you may get on better with the slow release Q as it isn't as sedating. It will be difficult for you to have that conversation though as you haven't got regular support from a pdoc.

Iv read about the slow release but it was never mentioned to me, Ye I will have to wait until my next psych appointment which could be 6 months. I do hope the symptoms subside after my second week. Everybody so far has said its worked. And I don't want to stop it and start on risperodone which was the next option.

When you submit a repeat prescription, you could talk to your pharmacist and see if they can help get you the slow release - have to say it really did make such a difference to my brother.

Thank you poker, that's a good idea I will try

Having a really bad day cmblue. How are you doing? I am very tearful today eel like I have hit rock bottom. I think it may be the effects of the sleeping pills on top of the Q. I am going to have to go shopping as there are things that I need. Really tough. Think the slow release for you may be a good idea.

Babette I know exactly how you feel, I'm ashamed to admit that iv had suicidal thoughts, I would not act on them but they do keep creeping in my head. Was it zoplicone? I find it makes me tearful the day after, have you told anyone how you are feeling? Is there anything that soothes you? Will someone drive you to the shops?

I think that we have abandoned the idea of the shops. I can't tell anyone in real life how I feel as it will be too devastating for them. I have just been on the treadmill for less time than usual and it has helped a tiny bit. Feeling totally without hope today. I don't know how you have coped for this long cmblue. I too am having dark thoughts and it is such a shock. I think it is just wanting everything to stop so I can have some relief from feeling like this.

At least you've done a bit of the treadmill it's better than nothing. You just have to hold onto the littlest hope there is. The intrusive and dark thoughts are hard to deal with. I just remind myself it's a long time over this has happened it's going to take a long time to get better, tho I do often wonder if IL ever get better. How long have you been struggling with your mental health? It must of been a shock? It's evil to live with.

Thank you cmblue. I have been lucky to have been well for most of my life apart from a brief period of post natal depression which looking back was nothing like this. I had my first episode about two years ago but it was put down to a physical issue at the time. I was in hospital on drips being treated for encephalitis and had some strange behaviour with it. This time, it was more clearly a MH issue( the hypomania) and that is why I was given Q. I have never experienced anything like this though. Are you having a better day today? Thank you for your messages BTW it helps to know that there are other people out there. Having my dinner made for me again, don't know how I would be managing without them. I will be 56 this week - probably considerably older than you cmblue!

Mental health can be the loneliness illness even when there's people around, it's comforting knowing there's people out there going through the same thing. You've helped them through all these years I'm sure they don't mind looking after you. Iv managed to eat more small snacks today but my mood is still low and anxiety is really high. Iv managed a load of washing just got to battle the shower, my hair really needs washing but I can't be bothered. Do you have anything nice planned for your birthday. How much have you told your son? Does he know your on medication?

Sounds like you are having a better day. I am not doing anything for my birthday, I can't even go there. I have told my son that I am depressed but he doesn't know about the assessment for BP. I will have to cross that bridge when it comes. I think that it easier to talk to people online than in real life for me at the moment. Normally I am very sociable but the thought of having to see people is too much. Especially as I can't keep on top of my personal appearance - my hair needs dyeing badly and I usually do it myself. I keep thinking how shocked people would be to see me in this state. Do you find that your personal grooming goes a bit pear shaped when you are like this or have you developed ways around it. It is harder when you are older as you have to try harder anyway - used to be able to get away with doing very little when I was younger...

Thanks cmblue he's now on 450, is reducing to 250 over next month or so. I'm terrified of another crisis.