Quetiapine for Insomnia User Reviews (Page 5)

• van...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 20, 2012

Quetiapine "I'm 20 years old and I've been on Seroquel for about 1 year now. It really helps. I take it for 2 reasons: insomnia and to help control irritability as a result of having Asperger's syndrome. The FDA is considering approving Seroquel for use in patients with ASD who are at least 10 years old, it is now considered an off-label use. I've been on other antipsychotics to control anger (Abilify, Geodon, Risperdal) and they did not help as much as this, and some had bad side effects including fainting and seizures, very low blood sugar, feeling depressed, and feeling very restless all the time. I also tried Trazodone for sleep, but it didn't work. Thank God for my Seroquel!"

• 929...
• October 12, 2017

"First, a quick rundown. I'm a 44-year-old white male with a whole slew of physical problems. Here's the short list of things that's been keeping me awake days at a time. I have CRPS (2012), Degenerative Disk Disease C4 -C7 moderate to severe (2001 since 1.5' shorter). I suffered a T.B.I. (Subdural Laceration .60') in 2012. Both rotator cuffs that have been torn several times each, both of them have SLAP tears and tendonitis, arthritis in various places. Eight weeks ago, I tore my left R.C. for the 3rd or 4th time, this time it came with the SLAP tear too. I've had issues with not being able to sleep because of pain for the past 5 years, starting shortly after CRPS reared its ugly little head. If you aren't familiar with it, just imagine all ten of your toes are broken, both feet being beaten with a hammer repeatedly, accompanied by a little fella with a flamethrower that follows you everywhere you go. This is a 24/7-365. It made me reconsider my position on voodoo dolls because at times I feel as if I'm being stabbed with an ice pick every 10-15 seconds, then after 5-20 pokes, it moves to a different joint. Imaginary time over now, on the McGill pain scale, it's the highest-rated pain 48/50, childbirth is a 36, cancer 32, many others listed too. The only difference is those pains go away or have treatment options. Recently, the surgeon general changed the approved therapy from opioid pain medications to No Approved Therapies simply because nothing works for more than a couple of months, then your body gets used to the nerve blockers and any and all types and dosages of pain meds. Some choose to have their feet amputated knowing there may still be phantom pain, but that's much lower on the pain scale. Okay, now that you know why I'm not sleeping well or at all, here is my experience with this RX. Eight days prior to going to see my doctor, I went to my 1st P.T. session (hurt too much before then). During the 2 hours there, she pulled and tugged on everything that hurts trying to figure out the range of motion and all that. This was 2 Mondays ago. From that day until the following Monday, I had slept a total of 9.5 hours, going a minimum of 48 hours between 1.5-2.5 hour naps before the pain would wake me the same as if someone had dumped a bucket of bricks on my head. After a week of this, I saw my doctor for my monthly visit and explained everything, including how I tried shifting my medications around, changing the times taken, and completely stopping 1 of them for 3 days and another for 2 days with no effect whatsoever. He gave me a few choices of medications to try, and I chose this one because I've never seen a commercial for it on TV. I refuse to take anything that's advertised on TV. The side effects are usually a more severe of whatever you needed to take it for, plus another 20 possible side effects, not for me, no. I didn't get home until after 1 p.m., so I planned to take it the next time I felt like I was completely drained and might be able to sleep. I would take the RX then, as it was the best shot for it to work. That ended up being 10 a.m. the next morning, Tuesday. I took 1-25mg pill 15 minutes before I laid down, and I don't remember my head hitting the pillow. In the past 15 years, that has happened maybe 5-8 times. I woke up twice to use the bathroom and take my other meds for pain, less than 5 minutes after getting up to pee, I was asleep again. I woke up 5:30 a.m. Wednesday morning and felt more human than I have in the past 5 years. The pain was tolerable enough that I laid there for a couple of more hours. The best sleep I can remember. Since then, my shoulder is feeling a little better, so it's not making my normally terrible situation worse, and since I've learned to deal with it as best as one can, I'm getting back to sleeping 3.5 to 4.5 hours every night. I've only needed to take 1/2 of one since the first. My situation is very unique, but if spilling my guts about things I hate to talk about helps someone else get the sleep they need, then it was worth it."

• The...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 10, 2018

"The key to taking this drug is finding the correct dose. From reading the comments, it seems that a lot of folks are prescribed very large doses. Perhaps they need them, tolerance has built up... I don't know, but all I need to get me feeling super chill is 6.5 mg. It is a very tranquil and pleasant, relaxing feeling. Any higher dosage than that and the next day I am a complete mess."

• srh...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 5, 2014

"Having been diagnosed with primary chronic insomnia at the age of 13, I have spent my life dealing with the condition. After serving for 20 years of active duty, I found that my condition worsened as time went on. Now, in my mid-40s, my condition has come to the point where, without medication, I can and do stay awake for 3-4 days on end without difficulty. Using quetiapine in combination with another medication has turned out to be the only combination that gives me 6-8 hours of solid sleep. I take 100 mg along with my other med and within an hour, I am tired enough to go to sleep. I have had nights where the combination had no effect, but there have been only a dozen or so in the last 5 years."

• DCN...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 17, 2024

"I have a movement disorder while sleeping. My body tends to move about on its own, and my Central Nervous System doesn't fully shut down each night. My psychiatrist recommended Quetiapine after all other avenues had been exhausted. It is the only thing that can make me fall asleep and stay asleep for at least 6 hours. I will be taking this every night until I die."

• h1g...
• October 24, 2015

"I started taking this for bipolar type 1 disorder and for insomnia. I take 50 mg nightly, which sedated me and helps with mood stabilization and psychotic episodes. PROS: I sleep nightly, my general quality of life has improved, and as long as I take it, the odd occasions where I experience psychosis aren't as bad. CONS: When I first started it, I had a case of restless leg syndrome (that went away within a month or two), sometimes I feel like my facial expression is mask-like, I feel like my breathing is heavier the morning after taking it, and I have very vivid, life-like dreams/nightmares. Do keep an eye on what you eat, I find it can give you the munchies and makes it harder to lose weight. This medication has honestly saved my life."

• Jai...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 9, 2019

"I was thinking too much and could not get to sleep. I take 25 mg of Seroquel before bed, and within 30 minutes, I struggle to stay awake, and it relaxes me. The next day, I still have anxiety, but I've only been taking this for 1 week."

• cos...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• July 29, 2014

"I have been on 25 mg of Seroquel and 0.5 mg Klonopin for 11 years for chronic insomnia. This combination has been wonderful, and I haven't noticed any side effects. However, my insurance will not cover the cost."

• Kat...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 13, 2019

"I was put on quetiapine 50 mg to help in my detox from Xanax, which I gained dependence on to fall asleep every night. Quetiapine 50 mg didn't seem to work that well, so we upped the dose to 100 mg, then 150 mg. Currently, I'm sitting at 100 mg at night before bed. I wish the ravenous eating side effect was touched on more often because it's affecting me badly. This pill will kick relatively quick, and you'll know because you'll want to eat everything. I didn't see that pattern right away, but I found myself snacking right before falling asleep and immediately eating breakfast when waking up. Weight gain is a huge side effect. Also, worth the mention is the groggy feeling and cotton mouth you'll have when you wake up."

• ALa...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 25, 2019

"If you need sleep, this medication works wonders, but there is a huge downside. I have been taking it for 2 years and have gained 20 lbs. A few minutes after I take it, I get an uncontrollable hunger and have to eat quite a bit to calm it. It makes me sleep like a baby, but I am done with this overeating business. I weaned myself off, and that insane hunger was gone up until tonight when I wanted to actually sleep, so I took 50 mg (normally 200), and I ate so much! If you can overcome the urge to eat after taking it, it could be a wonderful solution to your sleep problems."

• Bri...
• November 18, 2014

"I had severe insomnia for years, which caused major depression and anxiety. I tried a ton of medications, but Seroquel was definitely the best. I'm still on it at 150 mg (3 x 50), which gives me 7.5-9 hours sleep/night. When I take 100 mg, I get about 5.5-6.5 hrs sleep. I take it an hour or so before bed. It sucked for about a week when I got on it, but I have been on it for 3 years now, and it's a lifesaver. I still have nights where I have bad sleep, but it's rare. I have had 0 side effects. Just as a reference, mirtazapine did work for me too, but I gained weight. Ambien never worked well, and benzodiazepines worked, but addiction scared me. Insomnia is the worst, and this medicine gave me my life back."

• Ano...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 23, 2019

"Horrible drug. Quetiapine has basically turned me into a disabled person. I’m in bed for about 18 hours a day. I have no motivation, interest, or energy to do anything. This drug is not meant to be used as a sleeping aid, and now I know why. Stay far, far away from this drug."

• RA1...
• July 21, 2016

"You guys seriously need to stop making people anxious about the weight gain. If you don't eat, you WON'T get fat. I've been on Seroquel since one and a half months and had no side effects except at first a little. When I started taking it, I was checking every inch of my body on a daily basis, acting so paranoid because of your reviews, thinking that it has some kind of a magic spell in getting people fat. I work out almost every day since I have an endomorph kind of body, which is the worse kind (bad metabolism, hard to lose weight and maintain it). Been taking it because I was having some very minor panic attacks due to some stressful past events I experienced, which were preventing me from sleeping all night. I take 12.5 mg most of the time."

• jen...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 17, 2013

"Brilliant - Tried all the usual sleeping tablets with no success. This works for me 99% of the time. I've accidentally forgotten to take it a couple of times without realizing until the next day, and the difference is very noticeable."

• Anonymous
• August 4, 2009

Quetiapine "This medication has helped me greatly with my sleep trouble. I'm on other antidepressants (SSRI) that caused a condition called akathesia, so I was prescribed this to help me sleep. The SSRIs made me toss and turn at night, giving me a feeling of restlessness. I have been taking it for 5 years at bedtime, anywhere from 25mg to 100mg. The best sleep medication I have taken. I have tried others - Ambien, Trazodone, and Serzone, but none of them compare to the effectiveness of this for insomnia or other sleep troubles. The company who makes this drug should seriously consider FDA approval for insomnia. Also, it's not addicting at all."

• hon...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 13, 2014

"I'm taking quetiapine, temazepam, and Vistaril. I suffer from anxiety, major depression, and insomnia. I'm taking Vistaril for the anxiety. I'm on 50 mg four times a day. When reading, most of you said it made you pretty sleepy. I feel normal for the first time in 40 years, like maybe I can have a life now. My experience so far has been a great one. I don't get drowsy at all. Like I said, this is the first time in my life I feel 100% normal. I take two Seroquel 100 mg in the morning for major depression. That doesn't make me drowsy at all. When I read about Vistaril and Seroquel, people say they are drowsy and lethargic, not me, I feel great! I also take Seroquel 300 mg at bedtime along with 30 mg Restoril at bedtime. The only side effects I have are movements in my neck and the chills. Yep, that's it. I can't say I like the jerk in my neck, but if I feel normal and I just have those two side effects, life is great. I think what most people do is give up too fast, work with your doctors, they just have to find the right cocktail for you. Never give up on yourself!"

• Ban...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• February 14, 2020

"I'm on 300 mg at night. I've been on this dose for 6 years. I tend to have vivid, colorful dreams and then wake up exhausted. Even after the alarm goes off after 7 to 8 hours of sleep, I have to set the alarm for at least another 2 hours. I find that I'm more sensitive to sunlight and my metabolism has decreased. I find weight gain a problem, and my skin has become inflamed with dermatitis. I also have found that if I miss a tablet, I end up having withdrawals. It does help with sleep but has a few side effects attached to it. I was tried on so many antidepressants, but unfortunately, they had an absolute adverse effect on me, so I couldn't take them, and I'm left with Seroquel."

• nic...
• May 11, 2013

"This does the job for mellowing you out, then out you will be like a light. It makes you very hungry, though, and you may find it tricky at first getting out of bed at high doses. If you need sleep, this is perfect, remember it's not the quantity of the sleep, it's the quality. This for sure gives you the quality."

• J T...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• May 22, 2016

"I've been taking Seroquel for 8 years. Yes, it puts you to sleep. Yes, it makes you dumber. Yes, it makes your body hurt. It changes your body so much. I can't sleep without it, but I wish I'd never started on psych meds. I now have chemical dependencies on the medication and problems that I can't fix, and doctors don't want to help with because they're just side effects of the medications. Be strong. Learn to stand on your own, especially if you're in your teens or twenties. Doctors and drug companies do not have your best interest in mind. They want you to be a slave to their services and products. I have migraines 3 or 4 times a week for the last 6 years, and the doctors tell me it's because I smoke cigarettes. BS."

• Jen...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• September 14, 2019

"So I've been an insomniac since grade school and finally got something for it in 2006. 200 mg of quetiapine. Gained weight and ate at night, not remembering that I had done so. Well, now I'm on 400 mg and still some days it doesn't work, I never know. I've read a bunch of these experiences, and no one has said they take over 100 mg. Am I the only one taking this much? And I've tried others (many), and nothing else works. But me taking this much and it not always working is insane!"

• Sle...
• July 1, 2019

"I have been taking Seroquel for sleep now for 14 years! I am not big on taking this type of medication. However, when I first started on it, I was increasing the medication and got up to 100 mg. It was too much and the side effects were horrible. I can take 25 to 50 mg a night and be fine. I prefer to take the least as possible. I have no side effects other than if you love the sun, be extremely careful. I have had heatstroke twice now, and if you are on a higher dose, it can be worse. The sun is your worst nightmare on this medication if you are out in high temperatures. This is my warning to you from experience. Good luck to you!"

• kim...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 18, 2015

"I have suffered with insomnia since I was a child. Cymbalta worsened my condition to the point of lethargy, and my PCP prescribed quetiapine (50 mg 1x the first two days and then 100 mg 1x per day thereafter) after all other sleep aides failed. The first day on 50 mg, it took about 1.5 hours to kick in. I slept for 4 hours, awoke to crazy vivid dreams and insanely sweet food cravings (caramel, maple syrup), went back to bed, fell asleep, and woke up feeling like a truck hit me. Second day, same cravings and vivid dreams but slept better. After about six months, the sweet cravings went away, but I gained 20 lbs. I've been on quetiapine for over a year, and I cannot sleep without it. For the first time in my life, I sleep a solid 7-8 hours per night."

• AAa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 8, 2020

"I was taking 100 mg a night for insomnia. It worked at putting me to sleep, but it gave me some intense memory issues. I was forgetting things, losing train of thought mid-sentence, and forgetting what I was talking about. About 30 minutes after taking it, I couldn't remember anything at all. I couldn't concentrate or focus at work. I took 25 mg initially, and it didn't put me to sleep, but it let me sleep through the night for about a week. Then I went up to 50 mg and same thing."

• JDa...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 1, 2019

"This drug is great at making me sleep. However, I also have panic disorder. After taking at bedtime, I awake in a state of extreme anxiety or in a panic. Do not recommend this drug for anyone with anxiety or panic issues."

• Che...
• April 23, 2017

"I am currently on 25 mg taken 2 hours before bed for insomnia. I have found it to be very sedating and sleep for the entire night. On the first night, around the 2-hour mark after taking, I was not able to function properly. Cleaning my teeth and preparing my clothes for the morning was a big effort. Lightheadedness and dizziness. I have noticed others have had intense dreams/nightmares while on this medication, and I did too. The following day, I feel lethargic and drained despite a full night of sleep. I have rated it a 7 because it certainly works to relieve my insomnia, but the cluster of side effects is frustrating. I would recommend trying it for the first time when you have the following days free and are not working and adjusting."