Alternatives to quetiapine

[Audrey0385]

Hi everyone, just looking for advice. I've had a baby 10 days ago and take quetiapine, lamotragine and fluoxetine for type 2 bipolar disorder. This mix of meds has made me really stable during pregnancy but I can't cope with the sedation of quetiapine at night time - I can't look after my baby girl properly whilst sedated and it's really stressful. I've got an appointment with psychiatrist this Thursday but just wondering if anyone has experience of other non sedative meds I could have along with lamotragine and fluoxetine? I've tried olanzapine, respiridone, aripiprizole, clonazepam and lithium but either couldn't tolerate side effects or they didn't stabilise me. I'm thinking of depakote but wondering how sedative it is. I don't want anymore children and having coil fitted soon. Any advice would be really appreciated x

Hi. No expert, but I couldn't take any antipsychotics as they were too sedating. I tried quetiapine, aripiprazole & lithium. I had to just stick with lamotrigine & venlafaxine. Good luck.

Ye it's the sedation I'm worried about. I might ask for an increase in my lamotragine and stick with that and fluoxetine and see how I go. Thank you

What dose are you on with lamotrigine? I'm on 200mg. I had to have my mood stabilisers & antipsychotics changed by psychiatrist, rather than GP, as they didn't feel comfortable as it's a combination. I took myself off each of the antipsychotics myself - my problem is that I struggle to stay awake anyway! Good luck with it.

Sorry - just re-read & see its psych you're seeing. That's good.

I am on lurasidone and isn't sedative. It reminds me aripiprazole but isn't so activating. It isn't as strong as olanzapine, which I have as prn.

Do you take quetiapine extended release or instant release? I’m on the extended release and they apparently don’t ‘knock’ you out like the instant release do.