Experiences with Quetiapine

WanderMelRat · 2024-07-24T18:14:09+00:00

Hello, I’m scared to start Quetiapine so wanted to ask if anyone has found it helpful for depression (in addition to an AD) The dose will only be 100mg but I can’t cope with the chance of weight gain. Thanks

strugglinguphill · 24/07/2024 19:23

Your be fine if you eat a balanced healthy diet. I'm on a higher dose and have lost weight. Don't drink booze.

Original poster

WanderMelRat · 24/07/2024 19:37

strugglinguphill · 24/07/2024 19:23

Your be fine if you eat a balanced healthy diet. I'm on a higher dose and have lost weight. Don't drink booze.

Easier said than done if it makes me really hungry though. I have long standing eating disorders.
Did you find it made you hungry?

OP posts:

Superscientist · 24/07/2024 20:02

I have been on quetiapine since 2012 at doses from 300 -800 mg.
For me it has been relatively weight neutral. I maintained until I entered my 30s then my base weight increased by about 4lb after having my daughter and being on lithium my base weight increased by another 4lbs but I had a period in between with extreme weight loss and I lose weight in pregnancy due to sickness.

It has worked very well on my low and high moods. I was off sick with severe depression when I started on it and was struggling to make any progress as single doses of antidepressants were sending me manic in hours. It got me back to work and my mental health in a stable enough place to complete a PhD. The only time it has failed me was when I developed treatment resistant depression and psychosis and I needed lithium, lamotrigine and mirtazapine to get me off the bottom. I have since been able to go back on quetiapine on its own.

I have a diagnosis of bipolar type 1 and I haven't had a significant manic episode since being on quetiapine and my depression is much better controlled. I haven't had an episode in 2 years since recovering from the post natal depression.

With being on a high dose (450+) I benefit from the extended release. When on the immediate release at these doses I usually have to take half in morning and half in the evening and once i moved to a job requiring driving in the morning. It made me sedated for 30-60 minutes after taking it so I couldn't take it before driving but then it meant I was a bit sedated for the first hour of work. I did accidentally take the standard release all at night for about a year without noticing though! One of the best things about quetiapine is how it has regulated my sleep. I rarely get insomnia and that was previously a big trigger for episodes

I have had an eating disorders most of my adult life so it was a concern for me too. I have clothes I'm still wearing that I bought in 2005!

Original poster

WanderMelRat · 24/07/2024 20:15

Superscientist · 24/07/2024 20:02

I have been on quetiapine since 2012 at doses from 300 -800 mg.
For me it has been relatively weight neutral. I maintained until I entered my 30s then my base weight increased by about 4lb after having my daughter and being on lithium my base weight increased by another 4lbs but I had a period in between with extreme weight loss and I lose weight in pregnancy due to sickness.

It has worked very well on my low and high moods. I was off sick with severe depression when I started on it and was struggling to make any progress as single doses of antidepressants were sending me manic in hours. It got me back to work and my mental health in a stable enough place to complete a PhD. The only time it has failed me was when I developed treatment resistant depression and psychosis and I needed lithium, lamotrigine and mirtazapine to get me off the bottom. I have since been able to go back on quetiapine on its own.

I have a diagnosis of bipolar type 1 and I haven't had a significant manic episode since being on quetiapine and my depression is much better controlled. I haven't had an episode in 2 years since recovering from the post natal depression.

With being on a high dose (450+) I benefit from the extended release. When on the immediate release at these doses I usually have to take half in morning and half in the evening and once i moved to a job requiring driving in the morning. It made me sedated for 30-60 minutes after taking it so I couldn't take it before driving but then it meant I was a bit sedated for the first hour of work. I did accidentally take the standard release all at night for about a year without noticing though! One of the best things about quetiapine is how it has regulated my sleep. I rarely get insomnia and that was previously a big trigger for episodes

I have had an eating disorders most of my adult life so it was a concern for me too. I have clothes I'm still wearing that I bought in 2005!

Edited

Thanks for sharing your experience @Superscientist
I’m so pleased it has worked so well for you. X

OP posts:

strugglinguphill · 25/07/2024 10:42

Hi, I found it doesn't really affect my appetite. I also have an eating disorder. It's been great for my mood, really helped with the ups and downs