Quetiapine for Depression User Reviews (Page 2)

• DSR...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 13, 2019

"I started this drug several years ago for chronic insomnia. At first, it was a godsend. I was sleeping for 6-7 hours when before, I was sleeping for only 2. My sleep doctor suggested it after every other sleep medication had failed. However, I began battling severe depression a couple of years ago, but I did not connect the depression with the quetiapine. I was very religious about taking 50 mg of quetiapine every night. However, I screwed up and ran out one weekend. So I braced myself for a night without sleep. But the next morning, I had no depression symptoms. I started cutting the pills in half and have been sleeping, but not having the crippling depression symptoms. Amazing... I have been battling crippling depression all this time as a side effect of the quetiapine due to my attempts to sleep at night. Quetiapine is a powerful drug with the potential to change lives for the better, but proceed with extreme caution!"

• JGa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 3, 2020

"Seroquel is definitely not for me at 25 mg. I am not sure I have bipolar disorder, my symptoms are severe depression and anxiety, but I might, according to some of the symptoms. I experienced confusion, could not focus, and felt I was living in a fantasy world. I also had very strange dreams. I have only been on it for 1 week but just could not handle the side effects."

• Glo...
• January 25, 2017

Quetiapine "I have depression with anxious distress. My extremely racing thoughts would typically whip me up into a panicky state, sometimes with outbursts of irrational anger. Seroquel XR works fantastically to ease that racing mind to a more 'normal' and useful pace. Side effects are virtually absent, the XR doesn't floor me like immediate release Seroquel did. I can function and think well. Seroquel XR is a good medicine. It also helps with my depression."

• Pai...
• November 15, 2013

"This is the best medicine I've come across. I was diagnosed with depression at 14, and I'm now 17. I had previously been on Pristiq, Prozac, and Valium. I was put on 200 mg of Seroquel during an inpatient stay at a psychiatric clinic. It's true, there are ridiculous amounts of side effects. For me, I had the hungover feeling, weight gain, a zombie feeling during the day, lack of focus, and a lot of aggression. However, I don't have these side effects anymore through therapy and doing the opposite of a symptom, for example, no weight gain by exercising. I still sleep like a baby, my moods are pretty level, and I feel HAPPY. All I can say is you cannot expect a medicine like this to work overnight and without yourself putting in effort!"

• gar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 10, 2016

Quetiapine "I've been on just about every antidepressant on the market, and my doctor and I decided to try adjunct therapy with Seroquel to 'boost' the effect of the Brintellix I take. I was really pleased to find it has a significant effect on my anxiety, which has always been a major component of my depression. While it didn't get rid of my depression, I feel better overall than I have in ages. Downsides? It's expensive if you don't have good insurance. I get a 90-day supply for $80. It also will knock you the heck out. I have to take mine before 6 p.m., or I will have great difficulty waking up (even with an alarm). It has a heavy sedating effect."

• Mid...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 23, 2013

Quetiapine "I have been on a few antidepressants for 11 years with only fair results. My doctor started me on Seroquel XR 200 mg at bedtime over the last few weeks. This medication not only has helped me with the terrible side effects when you come off many of the typical SSRIs, but I am sleeping, and my depression has improved from a 2 out of 10 to a 7 out of 10. Sometimes, SSRI medication side effects are stated as minor, but they can be very severe at times. More doctors should know about Seroquel XR and the great results when stopping antidepressants."

• Thi...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 15, 2016

Quetiapine "I have only been on Seroquel XR for about a week at 50 mg. My doctor prescribed it as an adjunct to Remeron to treat anxiety, depression, paranoia, and insomnia. I also take gabapentin, atenolol, and Xanax. When the Seroquel XR works, it WORKS. I can feel it sedating me two hours after I take it. I've been sleeping eight and nine hours a night, which has not happened in a very, very long time. It's effective at neutralizing both anxiety and depression. BUT... it doesn't last 24 hours for me; it only lasts about 15. Once it wears off, my anxiety and depression return with a vengeance. Makes for a very rough 8 or 9 hours until I can take it again."

• Kik...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 30, 2020

"I took 400 mg/night quetiapine and gained 40 lbs. Gained a ton of weight. Withdrawal was awful. By the end of the 1st week, I was hallucinating due to sleep deprivation. I was so sick. Bad doctor didn’t taper me off. Went back to SSRIs, had 2 failed suicide attempts (SSRI resistant), and a new doctor urged me to go back on quetiapine as it was the only thing working for me. I hated the side effects but knew he was right. Gave it another shot with a new doctor at 150 mg/night. He said there ARE WAYS to prevent the negative side effects. The doctor said with a proper taper, severe withdrawal won't happen. Life made a complete 180. I take quetiapine with Topamax and Metformin and got in amazing shape! (5'4 110 lbs compared to 5'4 160 lbs the first time I took it) With a proper doctor, I realized how much it helps me. No negative side effects because we keep my dose as low as possible. There are nights I fall asleep without taking it and sleep fine—if you’re on this medication having a bad experience, you know how rare this is."

• Koo...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 20, 2013

Quetiapine "I have had bipolar disorder/personality disorder and severe depression for about 30 years and have tried just about every medicine there is. A recent setback had me in the hospital: my doctor decided to put me on Seroquel XR 400 mg along with my other medicines. In the beginning, it seemed to help me, as time went on, my symptoms of low mood, suicidal thoughts, etc. came back. Most important to note was the weight gain. In under a year, I gained almost 50 lbs for no real reason. Extreme fatigue and sleepiness made it hard to get out of bed in the mornings! I am now reducing my dosage to slowly get off it as per my doctor's orders and switching to an alternative. I am hoping this will work."

• Tan...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 12, 2020

"I struggle with insomnia, depression, and a multitude of other things, and I’m still sort of figuring out how to deal with and treat them. I started Seroquel at 25 mg about 8 months ago and just increased my dose to 50 mg. It mostly helps me sleep, but occasionally I won’t sleep at all. I stopped having nightmares. I haven’t had sleep paralysis since I started. My mood is also significantly better. I have strong laughter, and I cry in reaction to things (like a sad movie) in a way that feels healthy. I used to either not cry at all for months or cry by myself for hours. I also used to have what I describe as customer service laughter. I still get panic and anxiety attacks, and this isn’t a cure-all, but it feels really good to be able to laugh."

• Anonymous
• September 30, 2008

Quetiapine "My 16-year-old daughter has been in and out of the hospital for a year and 8 months with a lot of ups and downs. She was given Seroquel XR, and she is like a new person. She has gained weight from it and wanted to be taken off of it, but as the doctor started taking her off of it, she did not like what was happening to her and said, 'I would rather gain weight and be stable than skinny and angry and sad all the time.'"

• Nix...
• January 18, 2012

Quetiapine "I've had depression for 12 years, and have been on Paxil for about 10. The Paxil worked for a few years, but the anxiety and depression slowly worked their way back into my life. So, along with the Paxil, they added other drugs (Effexor, Wellbutrin), but they made me even more anxious. I was finally put on regular Seroquel and found it worked for a little while, but I was so tired all the time I couldn't function the next day. I was literally fired from 3 jobs for being stuck in bed and refusing to get up. I was switched to Seroquel XR 100mg last year, combined with the 90mg of Paxil I'm still on, and I've found a drastic improvement in my mood, anger, and anxiety. My only complaint would be how sleepy it makes me in the mornings. A large coffee or a caffeinated beverage does the trick, though, and it's worth the sleepiness to have some peace of mind."

• Mik...
• November 28, 2014

Quetiapine "I was prescribed Seroquel 100 mg for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, and I could only take it for two days. I took it as prescribed before bedtime. I almost crashed my truck several times on my way to work, and I had to pull over on the shoulder to sleep on my way home from work. Day 2 was a Saturday. I slept for 14.5 hours. I can't function at all on this."

• chi...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 25, 2014

"I take 3x 75 mg throughout the day. I feel sedated on it sometimes, but I can function. I have no anxiety, and depression episodes never get below a point. My mood is way more stable, and I don't ever get the huge downers, but occasionally still get the big highs. Usually, I am just feeling content, which is where I want to be. It has saved my life, and I can now hold down a job and get back to uni."

• Han...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 5, 2012

Quetiapine "I have been suffering from severe anxiety and depression after developing panic attacks. I have always suffered from generalized anxiety but have not had panic attacks for over 12 years. I haven't taken any medication during that time. I was driving home one evening, and out of nowhere, a severe panic attack hit me and left me immobilized on a bridge where I just froze. Fatigue, anxiousness, guilt, and dread. While I am receiving help from a counselor and my GP, I have been taking Zoloft 100mg in the morning and 50mg of Seroquel. Seroquel has helped me considerably. I take Seroquel at 6 pm, which usually helps me fall asleep by 9:30 pm and wake around 7 am. This reduces the hangover effect. I am feeling better since taking Seroquel."

• Rac...
• January 22, 2010

Quetiapine "I was prescribed one Seroquel 25 mg tablet at night for manic depression and insomnia. I couldn't be happier, my anxiety and depression were significantly reduced. My energy and mood dramatically improved, and I get great sleep every night. I wake up refreshed and ready to start my day. Also, it gives me the most vivid, wonderful dreams of all time. Taking this along with therapy from a psychologist is highly recommended for a successful outcome."

• Jac...
• August 17, 2019

"I had psychotic depression. As a means to clear my thought process and eliminate recurring, disruptive, and false thoughts, a 200 mg dose of quetiapine alongside 150 mg of sertraline has been nothing short of miraculous. My thoughts are clear and unobtrusive, my mood is stable, and my mind once again feels like my own. Clarity of thought once seemed impossible to me, I saw it as a privilege, not something I could achieve. Quetiapine has changed that."

• Nou...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 15, 2019

"I'm on quetiapine at a dose of 25 mg only. I was extremely depressed. My depression is lifting, I can sleep and participate in activities again. The only drawback is weight gain, about 5 lbs in 2 weeks. Major hunger pangs."

• Emm...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 30, 2013

Quetiapine "I was put on 25 mg of Seroquel at age 15 due to major depression. I agree with the previous comment made, even on such a low dose, I also feel I'm in a chemical straightjacket. I have trouble thinking straight, I can't concentrate for over 15 minutes, my sleep is average - it's extremely hard to wake up. I also find I'm so much angrier and impulsive, I stutter and can't form words, as well as shaking uncontrollably in my legs when I get anxious. I also get headaches at least twice per week. However, my family and close friends have noticed a considerable improvement in my mental health, e.g., suicidal thoughts have almost stopped completely, and an increase in more 'happy Emma days.' Such a strong, powerful, and dangerous med."

• dev...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 20, 2019

"I went on Seroquel for psychotic depression. I also suffer from ADHD, and I'm on stimulants. I've been on it for a few months now, and I've just started school, and the brain fog has really been screwing me over academically. Other than that, it's helpful, but far too sedating. I've done horribly in all my assessments despite studying because it's like my brain isn't working. My teachers are all concerned about my performance. I take a dose of 300 mg. I haven't had much weight gain, but I feel really stiff all the time. I've constantly been late to school and passing out because of this med, so I can't even show up to school. It works pretty well, but it's way too sedating and neutralizes all my thoughts. Switching from XR to IR somewhat helped, but I'm still having a ton of issues."

• Sho...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 21, 2019

"On quetiapine for depression, and I slept all night, but stayed in bed all day, depressed. My life fell apart. I gained 60 lbs., my health deteriorated, I became hopeless, stopped eating well or taking care of my family, and neglected responsibilities. I'm on Topamax now, and I am so much better!"

• Que...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 24, 2017

"I was diagnosed with delusional jealousy in November 2016. I was utterly convinced my wife was cheating on me despite no evidence to support this irrational belief. The lack of evidence just made me even more suspicious. I was out of control. Taking Prozac and Lorazepam to try and control the anxiety was making things worse. A private psychiatrist diagnosed me and prescribed quetiapine 300 mg. The first 2 weeks were a bit groggy, but I kept fit, ate healthily, and went to bed early. The results were astonishing. I was immediately so much calmer and rational. At the very least, this drug saved my marriage and, at best, it has probably saved my life. Yes, I'm hungry all the time and have to be careful with food, but it's a small price to pay."

• Tom...
• June 13, 2015

"I have been struggling to find a medication for my simple depression for about a year and a half now, basically tried all SSRIs and a couple of others. I am now on 40 mg of Prozac (which I feel like I don't need) and 150 mg of regular Seroquel before bed. The XR made me really tired and moody, plus the expense was outrageous, but trying the regular, I finally feel myself again. Although it's my first day taking it, I feel balanced out and basically normal again. P.S. If you're struggling out there, keep fighting! God put the hardest problems on us for a reason!"

• Kat...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• March 3, 2013

"I have been taking between 150-300 mg of quetiapine for 5 years. This medicine has transformed my life, and combined with venlafaxine, it keeps my depression, anxiety, and anorexia at bay. The tiredness is a small price to pay for being able to work full-time and greatly reduce the need for psych admissions."

• Bea...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• September 3, 2019

"At first, I was relieved as anxiety symptoms, like the feeling I had an apple stuck in my throat, subsided immediately. Long-term, though, was negative improvement for my low mood. It caused a decrease in my mood. I could not experience the feeling of joy. I could not cry either. I felt restrained chemically. I was prescribed this drug for more than 8 years, and my diagnosis was only major depression and general anxiety disorder."