Seroquel and Restless Leg Syndrome: What Users Say

• Kae...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• August 12, 2018

"Let me just say, I hate Seroquel! I was prescribed it for sleep 8 years ago. For the first couple of years, I was on about 300-400 mg a day, and I would feel like I was literally dying when it kicked in. My heart would race, I felt like I couldn’t breathe, and then I’d just black out. It made me feel so sluggish the next day. Also, I gained so much weight on this! It makes you have an insatiable hunger, and it’s terrible. I would walk down the halls and knock into them like I was drunk, my vision was so blurry, and I couldn’t think. It was the worst sensation ever! I’m now down to 50 mg of the XR and trying to wean off, but I’m scared. Last time the doctor tried, I blacked out and my blood pressure dropped, and the hospital said I couldn’t wean off it. Now, a year later, I’m trying again, and it’s terrible. I can’t sleep, restless legs, can’t get comfortable, and feel tired all day. I don't recommend this to anybody!!!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 25, 2020

For Bipolar Disorder "I was put on Seroquel to help me sleep at night when I went into a drug addiction treatment center about 3 months ago for opioids. Seroquel is completely awful in my opinion. Did it make me sleep? For sure! But let me tell you, the side effects are awful! I would wake up the next day, and all day long I would sweat like a pig (even after detoxing). After about 2 weeks, I noticed I had restless legs so bad to where my legs would start aching, and eventually, my arms were restless also. At night after taking it, I would become extremely hungry. Also, I am diagnosed with depression and not bipolar disorder, so I noticed I started to feel extremely panicky/couldn't stop moving. I stopped cold turkey getting off of this drug, I couldn't handle it one more day."

• sue...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 19, 2016

For Bipolar Disorder "Made me feel like a zombie. I slept too much, gained 20 lbs, had restless leg syndrome and congestion at night, increased depression, I had a breakdown of laughing and crying at the same time. I lost sense of reality."

• poo...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 30, 2014

For Bipolar Disorder "I was on Seroquel for a year. I was fat, no energy, restless leg syndrome, and elevated glucose. Seroquel has too many serious side effects."

• And...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• September 2, 2020

For Bipolar Disorder "I have affective bipolar disorder and took Seroquel for 12 years. I started at 100mg, and for the last 8 years, I was on 300mg at night. I had psychotic suicidal depression. Yes, it made me sleep well, except towards the end there were restless legs. However, it never stopped the depressions from recurring, and I couldn't sleep with it during the bouts. A year ago, a psychiatrist abruptly stopped it, either cold turkey or over 5 days. Immediately, I developed tardive dyskinesia (TD), a debilitating progressive neurological condition. It was very uncomfortable, painful, and no, I would not recommend it. I am 63 years old, starting a new life, homebound, super self-conscious of my face, and avoid meeting people."

• tir...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 11, 2014

For Schizoaffective Disorder "Unfortunately, this medication does not suit me, as I get a lot of the undesirable side effects. Slurred speech, terrible confusion, drowsiness but not able to sleep, cravings for sugary foods, a sort of spaced-out feeling, and restless leg. Apart from that, it's great! :) Wish I could continue taking it, but it's not worth the side effects in my case."

• kio...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• September 30, 2024

For Bipolar Disorder "Seroquel is the only tricky medication I take in terms of side effects. Out of all of the antipsychotics I have tried, however, Seroquel is the one that actually helps. It is also one of the few that is advisable when it comes to long-term maintenance therapy, which all my medications need to be. I am extremely sensitive to the dosage, though: at 200 mg it was effective, but the restless legs made me want to cry; each time I tried 250 mg (breakthrough psychosis) I developed idiopathic mastitis, which is a rare side effect, despite lack of pregnancy ever or breastfeeding; anything below 150 mg is like I didn't take an AP at all. At 150 mg, my positive and negative psychotic symptoms are 95% managed, which is awesome. Still, after taking it, I cannot be walking around. My blood pressure crashes within 5 minutes, and I need to lay flat. Preexisting heart problems. The benefits for me outweigh that limitation; I just have to plan my bedtime so I have snacks and water ready. No weight gain reported."

• Too...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 16, 2018

For Bipolar Disorder "Of all the meds I’ve taken for my bipolar, Seroquel is the best with the least side effects. I’ve been on Abilify, Depakote, and another one can’t remember the name. Horrible side effects: severe blurred vision, rash, panic attacks, restless legs, insomnia, gastritis, blood in stools, and more. Seroquel is working for me, and for that, I’m very grateful."

• Dir...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 11, 2013

For Bipolar Disorder "I had great success at doses of 200-400 mg. Anything above that and I black out an hour after taking it. I found out later I had been writing belligerent texts, yelling at my children, and verbally abusing my wife. I'm going to ask for 300 mg since it helped my insomnia and made me content and happy the next day. All without the horrible side effects listed above. I have tried Geodon, it gave me severe tachycardia and yet made me too tired to function. A horrible inescapable feeling as the tachycardia made sleep impossible. Zyprexa just made me fat and gave me restless legs so bad I couldn't sleep. Seroquel is best by far, but have your loved ones monitor you."

• K19...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 17, 2018

For Schizoaffective Disorder "I was on a number of medications. For hallucinations (both tactile and visual, as well as auditory), I’m dealing with more of the schizophrenia part. I’ve been diagnosed for a year now. I’ve been on Abilify, Risperdal, Zyprexa. And nothing until Seroquel. I am completely calmed down and feel much better. Really sleepy and very hungry. Restless legs and arms, but all around a good medication."

• Anonymous
• March 29, 2011

For Depression "I am 49 and have Bipolar II. Been on Seroquel 400 mg for one year. Initially very drowsy, restless legs, dry mouth, and blocked nose, most side effects lifted after 3 months. This medicine controlled my racing thoughts, helped me concentrate (I thought I had ADD). Ironically, despite the drowsiness, it lifted my extreme exhaustion (I used to have weekly Vitamin B injections because I was so tired). I no longer feel drowsy, managed not to gain weight with the help of a dietitian and an exercise program. I do get very hungry but refuse to give in to the hunger. I also take Wellbutrin and Zoloft to help with the depression, tearfulness, and agitation. I would recommend Seroquel to bipolar patients."

• dro...
• October 22, 2009

"Worked well except for the side effects... orthostatic hypotension caused me to faint, restless legs, and overeating."

• Sir...
• November 5, 2014

For Bipolar Disorder "Got diagnosed with bipolar disorder three months ago, and started on Seroquel 50 mg at night. It has helped me a lot, and I feel like a totally different person (in a good way - I've suffered for 10 years!). At first, I just thought I was in a 'normal' phase (not manic or depressive) - but the depressions usually sneak up on me after a few weeks when I've felt normal before. Not had any side effects, other than restless legs syndrome, but I've had that before, so it wasn't a biggie. This side effect has also almost disappeared after a few months. Was so scared of weight gain, but I watched what I eat, and work out a lot, instead I've gotten skinnier and healthier. Thumbs up! I got my life back!"

• srr...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 28, 2013

For Bipolar Disorder "Seroquel is fantastic. I've been taking it for bipolar and inability to sleep. The only problem I've had is severe restless leg syndrome. That side effect is knocked out by 2 mg of Requip."

• Liv...
• October 21, 2010

For Bipolar Disorder "Seroquel has been a godsend for me. It stabilized my moods and stopped my 'extra thoughts' or 'popcorn brain.' I take 600 mg at bedtime, and my psychiatrist has allowed me to take an additional 100 mg if my mood gets ramped up. I do get side effects from it, like blurred vision and restless legs. About an hour after taking Seroquel, the restless legs subside, and I am sleepy enough to get a good night's sleep. I am prescribed benztropine (Cogentin) for the restless legs, and it helps some. After I take my medicine, I do not drive until the next day, as there is a risk of an accident and getting a DUI. I did have a rapid weight gain of about 40 pounds, but I would rather be overweight and functioning and not hospitalized."

• Anonymous
• May 12, 2010

For Bipolar Disorder "I have bipolar type II and have been taking Seroquel for the past two years. It has helped a great deal by stabilizing my moods and providing me with a good night's sleep every night, no matter what. Each morning, I wake up feeling refreshed and in control of my day. Used to take 300 mg a day, but now I only need 100 mg, or 150-200 mg on bad days. This was the only medicine that did not cause tremors or restless legs. I've been on Lamictal and Geodon, which all caused tremors. It got rid of the angry hypomanic episodes. The 300 mg caused only minimal weight gain (I gained more weight when I was on lithium) and extra drowsiness in the mornings."

• ove...
• February 11, 2010

For Insomnia "I too take it at night for insomnia and do get RLS sometimes. However, if I go to bed within 1 hour after taking it, I don't get the RLS, I'm sleepy by then anyway. What I really like about this medication is when I do wake up during the night, I fall back to sleep within a few minutes. The only downside I've found is it's kind of hard to wake up in the morning sometimes. It also helps keep my moods steady during the day, and I don't have as many anxiety episodes."

• Rea...
• January 10, 2010

For Insomnia "I use it to sleep at night. Love it. Works like a charm, haven't noticed any side effects with the exception of having RLS every once in a while."

• Anonymous
• July 30, 2009

For Insomnia "My doctor prescribed 50 mg of Seroquel for insomnia, and it worked well for about 3 years. I then had to up the dose to 100 mg, and it caused me to have restless leg syndrome. It is a great medicine for insomnia for the short term, not so for long term."