How do I get off Seroquel xr - can't stand side effects?

Yes wean, but don't cut the dose too quick and too much at a time. Id find a proper wean schedule from your dr.

I've been on Seroquel 600mg for 2 years. After gained 50 pounds, lost my confidence, my memory is gone, always tired, sleepy, shaking, pain and even worse, this drug also affects your body so bad that is almost impossible to get pregnant while on it. Asked my doctors if I can get off it and they just keep saying I have to keep on it. Had enough with it and Just suddenly stopped it 5 days ago and so far it has being good. Withdraws are the worse thou. just taking valerian and chamomile tea instead and the difference it makes is unbelievable. I know maybe this was not the right way to do it. But we have to do what we think is best for ourselves.

I keep seeing " seek your doctors help" well in my case I asked to get off and he said you don't need to your doing good. Hell no!! 10 years later I'm on disability due to this drugs damage. If you want to get off seraquel or any psychotropic go on line and find support groups ( not this one! ) drs are terrible at taking people off drugs they always go too fast!!!

Do it very slowly , down to the point of 12.5 mg unit . I did it and was.on it for 10 years .
Has to be a less.dangerous sleep aid.out there .

I was put on Seroquel for major depression and it caused a psychotic episode and then I was admitted into the hospital for 6 months until they found that Manerix along with Lithium helped me finally.

Get off with the doctors help. Never by yourself! You do not want worse side effects but do call the doctor and tell him you need off it ASAP

This is my first psychotropic and I'm at 100 mg a night, it's only been a week but if I'm not heading right to bed I sleepwalk(actually I do chores and wake up downstairs doing laundry at 2am) I'm way over tired in the mornings and could sleep all day if I let myself and where in the world did this appetite come from!? Gonna call the behavioral health clinic today, best to communicate first with the prescriber and not let it get out of hand. Wish you all the best, I was going to post this as a question but yours is bringing in the same responses I assume I'd get. Thanks.

I am also diagnosed w/ bipolar and have taken Seroquel I also had a bad time w/ the side effects, I just stopped taking and had no problems w/ withdrawals, but everyone is different. How is lithium they wanted to put me on it but I said no way, are there serious side effects?

I've been on Seroquel for 3 months now, and have gained 40 lbs. I HATE IT. It may be doing a good job keeping me stable (Bi-Polar 2) but the side effects are not worth it to me. I recently started having really bad lower back pains that are making the front of my legs ache. Yep, side effect. I am going to P-Doc on Friday and going off of this med ASAP. The only good thing I see about it, is it does help you get rest. He put me on Topamax for the weight gain and I've done nothing but throw up. This is unbelievable. If you can refrain from taking it, I would, it's a NASTY DRUG./

I am taking seroquel xr for anxiety and depression. Without it, I have hives. I agree it does cause sleepiness. I have found that forcing myself to go for a walk outside at lunch helps to wake me enough to continue to work, but mornings are a struggle to stay awake at work using a computer. I have to take a class next week for work, but am worried that my reactions may be slowed down, as well as retention of material. Because of severe test anxiety, I can's stop or decrease prior to class, which lasts all day. What a dilemma! But, I am also having leg cramps that wake me up at night. Does anyone else have this problem?

I have been on Seroguel XR for about 3 months, I'm on 800mg and Seroquel is the only drug that I am taking for my bipolar condition. My family and I feel that the drug is working for me; my mood is very stable, far from the manic
episodes that I have experienced in the past. Over time the side effects have lessened. At the present time my side effects are primarily dry mouth and sleeping too much. Without setting an alarm I sleep 10-12 hours a night compared to 7-8 sleep in my adult life. My doctor thinks that my dosage may be adjusted downward in the near future. I hope that this is helpful, good luck, hang in there.

I was on seroqual for a short period of time as well, but i couldnt handle the sleepyness, i was only on 50 mg and i slept almost all day. I tapered off slowely within two weeks i was completely off. Talk to you Dr, he/she should be the best to recomened how to slowely taper off. Good luck - nena

NOpe you must taper. Or you will have horrible side effects. I did. I was itchy, had more trouble sleeping and lots of other horrible thing. Trust me talk to your doc and taper off.

Never take yourself off on your own... Work with your doc