Quetiapine for Bipolar Disorder User Reviews (Page 3)

• Koa...
• October 10, 2014

"When I first took Seroquel, I had the side effects of a type of motion sickness, as my head would whirl about, and I never knew if I was whirling or if the surroundings were. I didn't want to stay on it, but was advised to give it longer and to change from XR to regular. I did, and after about 6 weeks (from memory), I adjusted to it. Yes, I was so tired. I went from cutting a 300 mg into halves, then to 200 mg, and now to 300 mg again. Seroquel works for me, I've been on it for approximately 18 months or so. I sleep, my mind doesn't race or think or roam. I get a deep sleep. I was advised to get up early and that it will wear off-yes, that happens. But it's not easy."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 3, 2013

"Works like a charm. It was prescribed for me for Bipolar I disorder (as part of my cocktail of meds), especially for symptoms involving lack of sleep. I have been struggling with sleep problems for so many years, and this works great for me at 50 mg. It even helps with depression and anxiety temporarily. I feel a lot calmer, which is definitely needed for me, especially at night. It helps with racing thoughts and voices as well. No more 'noise' in my head at night for most part."

• Tka...
• April 9, 2019

"Due to weight gain, I tried other medications to help control manic thoughts at night and help me sleep. Nothing works. What I decided to do was actually up my dose with my doctor so that the effects of sleepiness would kick in before the hunger. I take 200 mg Seroquel at night with a combination of 300 mg Wellbutrin XR for depression and 150 mg Lamictal for mood stabilization during the day. I take 15 mg of BuSpar twice a day for anxiety. I got off all of these when I was pregnant and was a complete basket case. This drug cocktail worked for 10 years and I spiraled when I went off of it. Since I’ve been back on my meds for four months, I’m completely normal again, functioning at a high level. I run a very successful business, and I know that I could not do it without these medications. I have virtually no side effects except for if I stay awake for too long after taking the Seroquel, I will get uncontrollable hunger. Seroquel does cause dry mouth in the middle of the night, but it’s worth it."

• SRR...
• February 23, 2022

"Throw this medication away!!! Honestly, the worst thing to start. I’ve been on it for years and now find out it’s caused my pancreatitis. In the past year, I’ve been hospitalized 3 times due to it. I’m otherwise healthy and now may have ruined my pancreas due to Seroquel."

• Anonymous
• June 29, 2010

"I feel like this medication has saved my life. At the beginning of 2010, I had a mental breakdown. I was suffering from crying spells for no apparent reason and just did not want to live. I felt like I was watching someone go through the motions of my life and my true self was suffering and hurting. I made an emergency appointment with my psychiatrist. He started me at 50 mg on day one, 100 mg on day two, 150 mg on day three, 200 mg on day four, and 300 mg as maintenance. I used to have passive suicidal thoughts all the time and can now say that I don't. I've suffered from this condition for 12 years (Depersonalization Disorder). I've not known what it is like to not have depression until now. I feel like I owe my life to Seroquel XR."

• Tes...
• June 10, 2015

"After trying most of the medication for my depression/mixed state, Seroquel finally worked out. Made racing thoughts go away and my mood is finally back to normal again. Feel happy and relaxed. I also take 150 mg venlafaxine. Best medicine I ever tried is Seroquel. No weight gain for me. This medicine is a lifesaver for me."

• Tlg...
• March 28, 2015

"I have been on Seroquel for 2 years. It really is a miracle. It has helped with my mood swings and problems sleeping. The only issue has been the weight gain. I've probably put on 35 lbs, and I've never had a problem with weight gain. The benefits of this medication make up for the weight gain."

• Rhi...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 22, 2019

"This was my experience... I have been fighting mental disorders since age 14. During the 40+ years, I have been prescribed tricyclics, typical antipsychotics, SSRIs, SNRIs, and Benzos (diazepam when 16 years old). I chemically blew out my brain, specifically the serotonergic and dopaminergic pathways, by doing LSD from 1978 through 1981. It was the '70s. So now at the edge of 60, I have horrible reactions to psychotropics. Seroquel paralyzed my arms and legs after my nightly 1 to 3 hours of sleep, such that I had to lay there until I could use my left arm to pick up my right arm. Then with both free, I used them to get my legs going. I took it for about 4 years, with the above side effects plus the helicopters whizzing through my brain and body. To me, it is a nasty drug. I finally got sick of it, tossed the remaining pills, went loopy. My partner thought I was going to die. I lived."

• Anonymous
• July 5, 2012

"This medicine is great for sleep and helping anxiety, but if you have responsibilities, work, school, kids, ANYTHING, then be prepared. I am only on 100mg and although I feel calmer and not so irritable, I just feel sort of drowsed and no motivation to do anything, not even simple things like taking a shower or making something to eat. I woke up this morning needing to go to the bathroom and it seemed like an overwhelming task and I was stumbling around like when you are drunk. If you don't have to work or answer to anyone, then it's fine because you can just space out and not have such negative emotions and feel better."

• Koa...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 8, 2014

"When I first went on this medication, 300 mg, I did not like it at all. I had side effects of a type of floating - my head wasn't attached to my body - I'd be disoriented, only for a short time, but frequently at first. I don't really remember any other side effects. I wanted to stop taking this. I was on 300 SR, then went to normal Seroquel. Being on standard Seroquel helped. I asked to change off Seroquel and was told it's a good medicine and just give it time - 6 weeks. Wow, I didn't like that idea. I did give it time, I was tired during the day, so I went back to 150 mg. Over time, I've been on 200 mg as well and now 300 mg. I am so grateful to myself for hanging in there. I choose to be on Seroquel, I sleep a deep sleep. For me, I am happy. Very happy."

• Anonymous
• August 29, 2009

"I have heard all kinds of bad things about Seroquel, but to me, this medicine has saved my life. I was diagnosed with cyclothymia with racing thoughts and extreme hypomanic phases followed by intense depression. Not to mention, I would get so paranoid sometimes that I couldn't leave the house. I had tried everything including lithium, but then I went to a new doctor. She said I could try Seroquel XR, but I probably wouldn't like feeling sedated. I said, 'Sedated? Fine!' The funny thing is that I have more energy, but it is calm positive energy. I made a huge turnaround, and life is back on track. I thought I had ADHD as well, but now I have great concentration, no anxiety, and can sit still for hours. I highly recommend it if your symptoms sound like mine."

• eve...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 26, 2024

"Seroquel truly changed my life for the better. I was on max doses of 3 drugs and still in a deep depression. (I am bipolar, with more depressive episodes than mania). It felt hopeless and like I'd hit a brick wall. Psychiatrist recommended Seroquel as they said it's best for bipolar severe depression. Once I was at the right dose, it was like a switch flipped. I could hardly believe the difference: I was pulled out of my depression, anxiety diminished, could finally sleep at night. I haven't had a depressive episode in over 2 years on Seroquel and I have never been in remission this long before. I was afraid it would make me sleepy; it only makes me tired at bedtime and I sleep soundly at night. I'm fine the next morning. My only critique would be weight gain. I lost some weight and gained it back. But, I will take stability and having gained weight over being thinner and unstable. Don't believe the horror stories: everyone is different. It changed my life."

• Hap...
• August 7, 2013

"Seroquel 100 mg saved my life. For 9 months, I did not sleep because of an anxiety disorder. I tried to kill myself three times. Finally, I was given Seroquel and 130 mg Trazodone. I have been sleeping well and not depressed for ten years. It has saved my life, I am so grateful. I did put on 50 lbs, but better that than being dead. Very grateful."

• Poo...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• November 13, 2018

"I’ve been on Seroquel for years-150 mg at night to sleep. I combine it with 50 mg Trazodone and 0.5 mg of Klonopin. I sleep through the night and I can deal with my anxiety and bipolar 1. Diagnosed 22 years ago and tried just about every other drug suggested. This works-I get 8-9 hours of sleep a night. I’m a bit groggy in the morning, but it’s worth it to be stable and functional."

• Bai...
• November 9, 2018

"I struggled with bipolar 1 disorder, and before I found this medication, I was all over the place. When I was manic, I was like Supergirl, and when I was down, I felt so pathetic and worthless. When I first got on this drug, my ups and downs got better, but they were still problematic. But it’s almost been a whole year since I got on it, and I have never felt more stable, so I’d say it takes time, but it’s worth it. I’m not as creative as I was when I didn't have any treatment, but I am still passionate (and sane, lol), and that honestly makes up for it. And I definitely do not get that low. I have my fair share of struggles, but I’ve learned that it’s okay, it’s life, but nothing like the highs and lows I experienced before. It’s a miracle pill for me."

• DMa...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 22, 2017

"I was recently diagnosed with type 2 BP in July of 2016. I was on Lamictal at first, and it was a nightmare. It kept me from being sad, but I would still get very angry. Seroquel was next, and I was too scared to take it at first, but once I started having a LOT of heated arguments and stress, I finally decided to take it. So far, so good, I only take 25 mg because it chills me out and eases my anxiety. I don't get sad, and I don't get overly mad or excited. The first few days I am tired on the meds, but after a few days, I am able to manage my life. I wish I would have gone to a doctor years ago to get treated because since I was 13, my moods have been up and down. Now I'm as chill as a cucumber."

• bip...
• July 15, 2016

"This medication was a lifesaver after being admitted in the hospital for being manic and very agitated. Was titrated from 50 mg to 250 mg a day, and it has cured my agitation 75%, my mood 50%, and my depression. Since most antidepressants make me manic, I would recommend it to anyone who has tried multiple medicines. I can finally sleep, feel relaxed, and not stay angry for hours."

• Lea...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 4, 2019

"I have been on this medication for years. The only things that aren't fun are the drowsiness and the increased appetite, but this medication's side effects don't affect me nearly as much as other medications I've taken."

• BiP...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 5, 2017

"I try to avoid going on these forums because they always give me anxiety about the new medication I am trying out. I have let this forum make me think that side effects were happening to me that really weren't in the past. Seroquel is amazing. I have bipolar, and Seroquel was not out when I was first diagnosed. I started on it in May of 2016, and I have had to increase my dose by 100 mg since then, and it has changed my life. Seroquel has given me the ability to start to live my life more the way I want to live it. I wanted to post that here to not discourage someone who is starting out on it. My psychiatrist heard about this from one of the top bipolar doctors in the world speak at Harvard. This drug is wonderful and so helpful."

• Bri...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 24, 2014

"I've only been on Seroquel for 2 to 3 weeks, but I have had a largely positive experience. I have had a diagnosis of depression for about ten years and was using Cipralex (Lexapro). I came off Cipralex twice, and both times I became very depressed. Even on Cipralex, my mood was constantly changing, so I went to see a psychiatrist who thinks I may have Cyclothymia or bipolar II, so he started me on 50 mg of Seroquel. Initially, I was very groggy but have gotten over that. I've also gained a stone in weight. But my mood has really stabilized for the first time. I feel happy, confident, and passionate. I no longer have a million thoughts in my head, so I can focus better. Hopefully, this continues."

• Pat...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 12, 2013

"I suffer from mainly depression and anxiety. I have had a few bouts of hypomania. This was recommended to me to help with anxiety and mood swings. Within an hour of taking this medicine, I was always somewhat buzzed and not in a good way. It felt like you had to lie down and sleep, or you would become extremely irritable. The sleep was great on it, however, you wake up in a fog for hours, usually until dinner time for me. It really flattens you out, so you don't feel much, just emotionless and tired. I took anywhere from 50 to 200 mg, and the result was the same. I am off now and trying safer meds. Seroquel wasn't for me, but I'm glad it helps millions, though!"

• Anonymous
• December 12, 2010

"All I can say is that it is a miracle medicine. I finally have my life back. There are side effects, but it is worth it. I am in college and doing well. My doctors said that would never happen for me. They said that I would be in and out of the psych ward. I have not needed to be in the hospital in over five years. I can finally hold a job. Like I said, I have my life back, something I was told would never happen. Seroquel XR is the reason for that. Regular Seroquel is great too, it just made me sleep for 18 hours a day. Seroquel XR makes me sleepy, but I no longer oversleep. Again, I say I got my life back."

• Wil...
• April 28, 2017

"So vivid in detail, from some, but give this medication time. This drug had me feeling some wacked out, like on a boat sensation. Just lightheaded and motion sickness. I was told 'six weeks,' so instead of stopping it, which I dearly wanted to, I didn't. And to this day, approximately four years, I thank myself I didn't. Yes, it's heavy-handed. But now I have nearly no racing thoughts, which drove me to suicidal tendencies. My mind never stopped, it was like a TV on in the background. Next, sleep, sleep, peaceful sleep. I did crave sugar, BUT NO WEIGHT GAIN. This drug is just broadly so good. This drug and a couple of others balanced me. The racing thoughts, Seroquel number one, but Ritalin was also something I am grateful for."

• Sta...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• July 8, 2019

"I have been taking Seroquel for over 10 years. By far the best stabilizer for me. Previously, I had tried several meds. At first, my dosage was low, but kept climbing. Dosage went to 800 mg. I changed my psych doc, and she slowly walked me down to 400 mg. We even went down to 200 mg. But that was too low. I'm now at a happy medium. I do take lithium as well and Zoloft. I have been diagnosed bipolar for 25 years, so you can imagine the med changes in the past."

• shu...
• June 1, 2020

"This drug Seroquel made me feel like a zombie. Sure, it would make me feel 'normal,' but it would completely knock me out. I was with some friends, and I was going to give them a ride home from my house and accidentally took my medication too early, and I literally passed out, and they had to get a ride from a friend. I was only at a 50 mg dose. This medication was just not for me. I take Latuda now, which made me really drowsy when I first started taking it, but I have since gotten over it."