Posted by Princess777Vegas on June 24, 2007, at 23:35:27
In reply to drop the seroquel, posted by med_empowered on March 26, 2006, at 14:02:43
I WISH I could go off seroquel, however I have tried EVERYTHING else before resorting to it for sleep (my father died 2 years ago and I didn't sleep for more than an hour for over three months and started having dillusions from being so tired_). I try to only take 50 mg but sometimes I need 100. Ambien, trazodone, temzapan, etc... do NOTHING for me.. they even make my insomnia worse. I tried going off Seroquel about 5 months ago and had no luck and felt psychotic.
I am also on Wellbutrin for depression. I tried not taking that (as well as the adderall I was on for ADD..however, was NOT on adderall or wellbutrin when I first had the grief-related insomnia - but they helped me in the past and once the sleep was under control I tried them again..presently just on Wellbutrin and Seroquel though).
Anyway, if you can live w/out Seroquel DO SO.
Unfortunately, I can't. And I am still depressed and anxious but I am better off than before.Elizabeth
> i used to take low-dose seroquel for similar symtpoms..it was hell. Personally, I think you should drop it. Sometimes, docs are self-absorbed and stand offish. Here's what you should remember: it is YOUR life and YOUR body. The last time I had a doc like that, I flat out told him I was discontinuing a med I didn't like. He was a bit upset, but it changed the balance in the relationship---its kind of like a school yard bully; stand up to them, and they'll treat you better.
>
> Now...as for you meds: seroquel clearly sucks. If you have mixed episodes, its a little surprising that you're on an anti-depressant at all, much less an anti-depressant plus Lamictal. I have kind of similar problems...personally, I found Trileptal to be helpful. Depakote apparently helps a lot of people, but its pretty rough stuff. Sometimes mixing mood stabilizers (ex: lamictal plus trileptal) is helpful, but it can also be tricky, so you'll need a cooperative doc. The good thing about that approach is that you can avoid an antidepressant, which can be kind of de-stabilizing over the long term and plus carries side effects (apathy, sexual dysfunction) that are best avoided. As for sleep...benzos help, the newer sleeping pills help...even vistaril and benadryl will help. You certainly don't need to take an antipsychotic for sleep--that's overkill and its ridiculous. Some ADs help with sleep...trazadone is a classic (personally I hate it). Another good option is Surmontil, an under-used tricyclic antidepressant. It kind of has mood-stabilizing properties, and it can be sedating, which can be a good combo for some people.
>
> So...speaking from personal experience, I must say that I think if you discontinue the seroquel, you will feel **MUCH** better. Sometimes "non-compliance" is the first step to mental health. Good luck!
poster:Princess777Vegas
thread:624274
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20070622/msgs/765543.html