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Original poster

Quetiapine - any experience? Psychiatrist seems to think I have a type of bipolar disorder

34 replies

electra · 19/10/2007 20:08

Hi there. I haven't been around for a long time but I've used Mumsnet for a years and it seems strange that my life suddenly no longer resembles what it once did. I have been very depressed for months and I can't quite even pinpoint where it began. My marriage broke down and I am now unable to cope with anything - I can't even take care of my children so I feel like a cr@p mum and my relatives are all judging me to be an uncaring mother I feel very numb about everything, have the feeling I don't care what happens to me and I can't sleep properly unless I self-harm which I do with sharp razor blades. I saw a psychiatrist the other day and she thinks I need anti-depressants but also something to control my moods as I feel the need to walk and walk and walk and when I look in the mirror I see someone else, and have the feeling that I am somehow watching myself do things but it's not really me.

Has anyone else experienced any of this and has anyone else been prescribed quetiapine?

OP posts:
PhoenixSoaring · 19/10/2007 20:17

I have been taking Quetiapine for about 3 months. To control my mood swings. I do not have Bipolar, but I do have other personaltiy disorders.

I am sorry your family have felt that way about you. you have an illness. you are not uncaring.

I also self harm. I recognise a lot of me in what you have posted. If you want to cat me, or give me your email addy to chat on msn please do - otherwise, chat on here

(((((())))))

Original poster
electra · 19/10/2007 20:19

Thanks so much for your fast reply PS - it really helps to know I am not alone in this. I will CAT you tomorrow as I don't have much internet access at the moment. Thanks again xx

OP posts:
curseofthemummylin · 19/10/2007 20:19

you have my symapthy,my sis has bi-polar and i o from her how awful it ca be , have n idea what the medication she takes is o i canthlp you there ,but i will say that youcan ge over this,your family need to be told exactly what is happening wit you ,then when they undestand the illness it will hel them to cope with things and recognise tha you do have an illness and not being a uncaring mum at all.good luck

curseofthemummylin · 19/10/2007 20:25

apologies for the terrible spelling of things I tend to type too quickly and barely touch the keys sometimes.

curseofthemummylin · 19/10/2007 20:26

hello to PS love the name !

PhoenixSoaring · 19/10/2007 20:28

I look forward to hearing from you electra. We have spoken before. I used to be naswm and losty

Original poster
electra · 20/10/2007 14:55

Hi PS - I have CATed you. It's odd how I never even used to click on this section of the board before although I did have depression once when I was about 19 and had problems with SH then too. It all seems to have reared its ugly head again now. At least I understand how other people with mental illness feel now though, because it is hard to when you yourself feel fine.

OP posts:
Original poster
electra · 20/10/2007 15:45

Also meant to add my dh doesn't understand at all and calls me self-centred. This really hurts because I hate to think I'm like that and he is really nasty to me a lot of the time.

OP posts:
zippitippitoes · 20/10/2007 15:51

you can look up some of my posts on bipolar/manic dperession...i don't know your medication but hope you find it helpful

I don't use anything

just posting to say you aren't alone by any means

PhoenixSoaring · 20/10/2007 16:59

got your CAT and am repliying now - hope you have msn!

Original poster
electra · 24/10/2007 23:54

zippitippitoes - thanks for that. This is all new to me. I think I have been having problems for about a year. My marriage has broken down and in the last few months things just went from bad to worse. I should have known something was wrong back in May really, when I was on holiday. I couldn't relax and wanted to keep walking around all the time, and while my husband and children were asleep I was up obsessing over a book, and thinking the sentiments expressed in it were somehow meant for me. I went to my GP and she diagnosed severe depression, but I felt that there was more going on than that so I saw a psychiatrist recently. I do have highs and lows, and certainly my judgement on things has been impaired for some time. I feel hopeless but also have a need to keep rushing around. One thing that is difficult is that if I go out people appear to be able to tell there is something not right with me, and they will come up to me and say "Are you ok?" I also buy clothes that I don't actually like/want. Now I know it's time to go home when I'm considering buying bright pink pullovers! Anyway, sorry - just offloading.

OP posts:
Original poster
electra · 24/10/2007 23:54

PS - thank you too, I have emailed you

OP posts:
Original poster
electra · 25/10/2007 00:32

I have one other query - at the moment I am (trying!) to learn to drive. My driving is currently very erratic and I'm approaching test #4! Should I leave it for a while? The thing is, I don't want to give up because I really need to be able to do it.

OP posts:
amytheearwaxbanisher · 25/10/2007 00:49

dont give up im a bad driver not in a dangerous way just have bad habits like not holding the wheel in the way they like so 4 tests isnt bad unless your meds say you shouldnt drive hope you feel better

amytheearwaxbanisher · 25/10/2007 00:51

oh and all my family laugh at me because i park miles away from any other cars because i cant park at alllll!

Original poster
electra · 25/10/2007 11:11

I think the meds can cause drowsiness but lately I have felt like I've had 100 coffees when driving so I reckon that's worse! I think I will try to keep on with it...

OP posts:
ladylush · 26/10/2007 15:56

Hi Electra, I haven't used it myself but know a bit about quetiapine. It is primarily an anti-psychotic but has been found to be effective in bipolar disorder as it helps control mania. The dosage for a patient with BPAD is typically higher than it is for patients with a psychotic illness and usually the dose is titrated up rapidly. If you feel tired you could ask for the morning dose to be reduced and night dose increased.

NotMellow · 26/10/2007 16:03

I have not been precribed what you have but it has been mentioned to me that I may suffer from bi-polar.

I am currently using 2 different medications. One for day usage and one for evenings.

Is your therapy ongoing?

The last post was spot-on regarding your medication, ie if you feel over-tired take less in morning, as you have just started on this medication it may just take a little bit of adjusting to get the correct dosgae.

I can relate to you looking in the mirror and not seeing yourself, its horrid.

I am sure you are a very good mum, once you are feeling better you too will see this. The best of luck for you.

PhoenixSoaring · 27/10/2007 15:41

sorry for delay electra - I have been away this week - but have responded to you email now.

How are you doing today?

PSx

zippitippitoes · 27/10/2007 15:45

I just don't get on with medication but theoretically you should be able to adjust it ..

driving is an intyeresting one i do veer between being very nervous about it and totally reckless and cavalier and drive too fast..though having said that I think i'm pretty good and have never been caught for an offence lol

littlemissnobody · 29/10/2007 04:41

I posted on your other thread but wanted to write something here too. I was prescribed Quetiapine when I was severely depressed and was self harming a lot. I was also (wrongly) diagnosed with a personality disorder which I found very traumatic. It can be very difficult to come to terms with the fact that, somewhere along the line, life went horribly wrong and that I didn't feel like the person I thought I was. Feeling detached from the world isn't a nice feeling.

I hope the Quetiapine is helping with your sleep. That was the one thing I loved about it.

From your other thread it is obvious that you are not an uncaring mother. Quite the opposite.

Please, be kind to yourself. And email me if you like (address on the other thread)

littlemissnobody · 29/10/2007 04:44
PhoenixSoaring · 29/10/2007 17:38

How are you doing electra?

TotalChaos · 30/10/2007 20:51

Hi Electra, I remember your helpful advice on SN board and other topics (used to be mummytosteven), and wanted to say hello and sorry things have been so tough for you lately. I've no experience of this particular med (I take Prozac for OCD/Depression), but just wanted to wish you well.

Rach35 · 30/10/2007 21:05

Well done for opening up - a brave thing to do - and good for you for asking about the treatments you are being offered. I don't know that much about quetiapine but I worked for the company who makes it and it can be used for lots of different conditions such as bi-polar disorder. I have seen patients who have said it has changed their lives for a massive positive and some wonderful success stories. If you want patient information leaflets you could ask your doctor or ring the company who makes it (it's Brand name is Seroquel). You are not alone - you are a GOOD mummy for asking for help