Does anyone else feel like after you walk a few feet that you start to breath heavily and your heart starts to race? I love seroquel cause its the only think that will put me to sleep and I think it works some with my bipolar. But has anyone had an experience like that before?
Seroquel - heart racing and heavy breathing?
Question posted by hollylaine on 14 May 2014
Last updated on 29 October 2024
Added 14 May 2014:
This only happens to me after 30mins when the medication is fully in my body, but it freaks me out cause ive noticed on it while in the hospital my heart rate was in the 115s and before that it was even higher like in the 120s-130s. I was on 200mg but because of those reactions I had my dr reduce it over time and im back down to 25mg. Anyone else know what im talking about or had it happen to them?
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31 Answers
Atej08
29 Oct 2024
I've been on it from 50mg all the way to 250mg since February 2023 for Bipolar 1 disorder. The scary heart pounding and hard time breathing was just the first few nights, I'd say it happened each time after taking my dose at night for about a week. I gained like 10+ lbs though even with me adding activities such as Zumba noting that I wasn't active growing up having asthma. I also replaced my white rice with quinoa but still occasionally eating white rice. I also try to do away from pork and beef which isn't as hard as they aren't my first choice of meat anyhow. I just now finally pushed through with my psych NP to replace it to help with the weight gain which is Geodon and I hope would help with weight. I have seen the reviews and are promising so crossing my fingers it does same positive reviews to me. And I also have been taking Gabapentin 600mg per day as a mood stabilizer.
Mandylee0780
1 Feb 2021
So funny you say that. I was actually googling my symptoms and it brought me here. I take 300 mg a day mg heart starts racing and pounding like it literally can pond out of my chest. And definitely have trouble swallowing me. My primary dr said I have a heart murmur which I never had before.
papucsdog
1 Dec 2020
Has anyone successfully gone off of Seroquel for Bipolar? What medications did your doctor replace this drug with? It is imperative for bipolar management so what is the alternative?
Atej08
29 Oct 2024
I am just about to get it replaced with Geodon. The reason I asked for Seroquel to get replaced is because I have gained 10+ lbs. Even with eating and exercise adjustments I made, I still kept the weight on. My diagnosis is also Bipolar. Hoping this new medication can also help me manage my moods and help with my weight as I have found reviews on it of some losing weight because it helped suppress appetite.
Smp2019
29 Nov 2020
I'm actually in the ER right now. I had to call 911 exactly 30 minutes of taking 100mg. This is the third time this happened in the last 2 months. My doctor weened me down from 400mg to 100mg so far.
I've been on Seroquel for 4 years and never had this issues in the past. My heart rate was over 165 each time.
My last dose was tonight. I'm over it.
cmccown80
25 July 2020
I am glad I read this post. I take 350mg of Seroquel. I take 50mg in the morning, 50mg afternoon. I take 250mg at night. I have been on it for five years. The extremely rapid heartbeat is making me nervous. This has just started recently and it is only after my night time dose. I called an ambulance one night it was so bad. My heart rate was over 140 bpm. I don’t understand why this is happening. It has raised my heart rate in the past, but nothing like this. I am going to see a cardiologist about this.
Marie K
25 March 2020
Yes it made my heart race. I was using it for sleeping so I am no longer using this drug.
Jennkristie
25 March 2020
Yes I'm on saraquil 300 mg
And I'm trying to wean off of it
And I gained 50 pounds on it
I been having terrible dreams . I wake up every night . I feel tired all day long.
I cant breath , my inhaler dont work .if anything it gives me anxiety.
I cant even do light housework.
I am also on a small dose of zoloft that I been weaning off of . I want to lose this weight . And I take 20 mg of Adderall during the day for ADHD, I'm in school.
I'm seeing a new dr today I'm hoping that she can help me .
I cant stand not being able to breath , I dont know if it is my weight or the saraquil.
gardeninggal
7 Feb 2020
I'm glad I've found this site. I have been taking quetiapine for over 10yrs. I've started having heart palpitations and dizziness. It is absolutely terrifying. The Drs always say there is nothing wrong with my heart and I know they think it's panic attacks however these episodes are nothing like panic attacks. I have just realised that I have been given different brands of the drug over the last couple of years and I wonder if it has anything to do with that, especially with people saying taking the SR medication has resolved the problem. I have an appointment with my GP soon and will ask him about it then. Thank you
Marie K
20 Jan 2020
Yes
Marie K
19 Jan 2020
Yes I had the same problem.
Leyla77
19 Jan 2020
Did you stop taken it ?
Leyla77
19 Jan 2020
In the last 2 week I have been taken to the hospital twice by paramedics for Tachycardia 180bmn and more. The EKG’s were normal and they couldn’t figure out what was causing it. I am taken 100mg and every time after taken it about 30-45 min this was happening. I am on this medication for anxiety and at first it worked very well. However since being on 100 mg about 30-45 min, I have shortness of breath, can’t get enough air, my pulse races up to over 180 Bmn and my heart is pounding so hard that I thought it was going to jump out of my chest. The last two days, I tested it and took it in the afternoon instead the evening and 30-45 lately, I had the same symptoms. Tachycardia, difficultly breathing and restless leg syndrome as well. I wrote my nurse practitioner and included the link on here so she can read up on other peoples experience.
I am very afraid to stop this medication since I don’t want my anxiety to go nuts but I am more afraid of the Tachycardia. Therefore I won’t take it any longer. I probably won’t sleep tonight since it’s Sunday and my nurse practitioner won’t be able to prescribe anything. Hopefully my anxiety won’t get out of hand but at this point this medication is too dangerous for me.
Leyla77
19 Jan 2020
I was taken 150mg not 100. However when I tested it the last two days I took 100mg and had the same symptoms that I described. Horrible terrifying experience.
April234
25 Sep 2019
I've been on seroquel for four years.: I've gone from 200mg to 50mg by myself slowly. I find when I have gone to sleep for it , if I wake up and stand up I become light headed and my heart beats extremely strongly in my chest. I'm going to the doctor tomorrow due to the fact it made me pass out .
scarletpimperquell
22 April 2019
I had to call an ambulance in feb 2016 due to racing heart high blood pressure :(
catt73
18 April 2019
I only take 100 mg of Seroquel but I’m always out of breath. My labs are fine. They started my 9 year old on Abilify. It seems to work for her. I also have a hard time with my daily workout and no energy. I also take 50 mg of Zoloft.
DrLuv
19 April 2019
The only 2 things I have found that help with the racing heart and gasping for air is Benadryl. ..i chew it up to get in my system as fast as possible... and drink a big glass of whole milk. It helps a little
DrLuv
18 April 2019
I THANK GOD I READ THIS TODAY!! I was trying to find out if anyone has these exact symptoms. I have extreme bipolar with psychotic episodes. 10 yrs ago I was on 800ml of seroquel + lexepro and Wellbutrin. No problems... I was active etc. But than I started missing days and I found something I had sewn and couldn't remember sewing it. That's when I knew I was blacking out and have been cutting down ever since. Now Im down to 25-50 ml a day. Still with the lexepro and Wellbutrin. But I have become so sensitive to seroquel that there is no way I can take more. It is the ONLY thing that has stabilized me. But now I am having problems with tardive dystonia. ..oh my that is a mess! Its like convulsions... I get it at night when I take the seroquel. The muscles Im my arms and legs just draw up and curl... now my eyes will roll to the extreme. Its neurological. You can tell yourself 100 times to keep your arms or eyes still but it'll happen again. But this gasping for air...
heart racing... violent tremors..sweating than covered with chill bumps is HORRIBLE! I said today clearly I have heart problems. But I KNEW if I went to the doctor and they ran a slew of tests they would say I was fine and its a panic attack. To anyone with weird symptoms I strongly suggest to get your info from forums like this because unless your doctor has actually taken seroquel he is just going off of what he has read in a book. I know when Im having a panic attack... this is WAY different. Thank you for posting this question. I am one who has really benefited from this thread.
Related topics
seroquel, bipolar disorder, sleep, heart, breathing
Further information
- Seroquel uses and safety info
- Seroquel prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Seroquel (detailed)
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