Seroquel and Tiredness: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Dav...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• March 15, 2015

For Bipolar Disorder "I have been taking Seroquel for 10 years of varying dosage until finding the right balance of this medication. It cured my insomnia and dampened the racing thoughts. Very happy with it for those reasons. However, I feel very dizzy and tired around an hour after taking 350 mg at night. It levels out the mood swings. Curbs feelings of elation and empathy, which is quite a price to pay for steady moods. To conclude, Seroquel has had a very positive influence in the treatment of bipolar disorder. I think of it as preventative medication that 'quietens' the mind (hence Quetiapine - its pharmaceutical name)."

• tig...
• September 23, 2009

For Insomnia "Was taking Seroquel in combination with Wellbutrin and Zoloft. Took at night to help me sleep, but it left me foggy, tired, and dizzy the next day. In addition, it made me VERY fat. Gained 20 lbs in a little over a month and could not stop eating. Off it now, will save the pills for anxiety attacks (knowing it will knock me out). Effective, but side effects were too much."

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

For Bipolar Disorder "I have bipolar mania with stages of depression. It has been like this since I was very young. It comes along with episodes of mood swings. I am on 25 mg of Seroquel now and have been on both 50 mg and 100 mg. 25 mg does great things for me. No more sleepless nights. No more intense spending sprees. No more major anxiety most of the time. A lot less depression and a lot less irritability I experienced as well. I get tired and a little unmotivated in the morning, but I have coffee and breakfast and I'm good. Weight gain is the other concern but I have controlled it with walking good amounts each day. Well worth a try and definitely something to consider for a bipolar patient."

• Alt...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 17, 2018

For Bipolar Disorder "I use this drug in a low dose, 25 mg, to help me sleep. I am diagnosed BP1. It makes me tired enough to get to sleep. I do not feel extremely tired, but if I lie down and close my eyes, I fall asleep quickly and usually can stay asleep for 7 or more hours. Some days, I do feel very groggy, but it is worth it to me. I drink very little alcohol - one beer every two weeks or so, but if I drink the beer close to bedtime, the combination makes me extremely tired. I have gained 15 pounds since my last bipolar major episode (severe M followed by severe D in fall 17 to winter 2018). All the gain happened on olanzapine (discontinued), but either lithium or Seroquel seems to have made it tough to take some of that weight off."

• Pla...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 12, 2017

For Bipolar Disorder "I had side effects beginning Seroquel, which subsided after 6 weeks. I grew to appreciate this drug, it did wonders for my racing thoughts, plus sleep. BUT now I need to come off it after many years. OMG, even tapering is horrible. I'm off it now, and I’m suffering withdrawals. So extreme lethargic, depressed, flu-like, had 2 weeks of random vomiting, plus still had nausea and can hardly look at food. I used to call Seroquel my friend and smile, but now my light-headedness is back. I wish I had energy and could eat well. 2 weeks this could last or more. Just putting this out there, I was a fan and still am, I guess, of this drug, but coming off is hard. I hardly ever get side effects and have gone off quickly with some, but this - this is hard."

• Gas...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 20, 2017

For Bipolar Disorder "At one point, I was on regular Seroquel as needed and Seroquel XR daily. During this time, I gained a lot of weight that I just could not take off. I was prescribed the Seroquel as needed, 25 mgs up to 3 times a day. Later on, I was going through something else, and Seroquel had just gone generic. My psychiatrist put me back on the 25 mg pill as needed. I rarely used it, and this time I didn't gain any weight from it, which I was relieved about. I know they say that the lower doses are supposed to make you really tired, but that didn't seem to have any effect on me."

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

For Bipolar Disorder "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."

• the...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 8, 2017

For Bipolar Disorder "I've been on this for about 8 months so far. I take 300 mg at bedtime. It helps with sleep, but I do feel a bit tired during the day. This has really reduced my mania. I used to argue with people until I was literally foaming at the mouth, but now I lose interest in arguments within 5 or 10 minutes. Twitter and news used to upset me, and I'd get amped up about stories, but that's gone away mostly. Now I can react to things that used to make me furious with a laugh or just a short discussion with someone. Seroquel's not perfect, but the weirdness and intensity I used to experience have gone. It also helps greatly with my IBS. I haven't had any weight gain, but my diet is low-fat and limited. Seroquel is much better than TCAs, by the way. Good luck!"

• dee...
• April 25, 2010

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "Switched to this from Abilify. Abilify left me lethargic, and I gained substantial weight. Since switching, I fall asleep easier, have lost weight, and do not feel sleepy all day anymore."

• rav...
• March 24, 2010

For Bipolar Disorder "I am taking Zopiclone 7.5 and Seroquel 25 mg so I can sleep at night. I also take Clonazepam 2 mg daily and Effexor XR 75 mg. I have lost about 10 kg and still not feeling 'normal,' per se. I have tried various other combos, but this is better than what I have been on. Sleeping without nightmares, and even though I get tired during the day, at least I'm not awake half the night."

• Hea...
• September 24, 2008

For Bipolar Disorder "I was recently prescribed Seroquel, and I can tell the difference already with my bipolar. However, it made me so drowsy and lethargic that I can only take it at night. It has helped me think more clearly and has lessened my manic and depressive episodes to where I feel almost 'normal' again."

• Jac...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 20, 2025

For Bipolar Disorder "It took me a good week to a week and a half before my body finally adjusted, but I am almost 1 year on this medication, and the quality of life has improved dramatically. Like everyone else mentions, it definitely helps with sleep! As someone who could only sleep 4-6 hours each night, this lets me get a solid 8 hours each night, and I wake up feeling great! The first week/week and a half, I was groggy and tired a lot during the day, halfway even thought about stopping taking it, but I kept on it and boy am I glad I did! I have been taking 100 mg each night since day 1 of taking it."

• But...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 2, 2021

For Bipolar Disorder "It leaves me so tired, mellow, and calm. I have no negative thoughts. Just thoughts. They aren’t necessarily super positive, but it’s nice to just have thoughts with no strong emotions attached. It does leave me more sleepy than I’d like, but it’s so worth it to me. I’m 24 and female and was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and generalized anxiety disorder. It has helped both. I’ve only been on it a short while, but the sedative effects are already proving helpful."

• Sco...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 28, 2019

"I have never been diagnosed with any conditions for which the drug is prescribed, instead, I have depression. What I found out accidentally when searching for a sleep medication was that after one or two doses, my brain felt calmer, and I felt behaviorally more balanced and less anxious. Although I felt a bit lethargic, dizzy, and unsettled at the initial dosage and when awakening the next day, these symptoms do not occur after 3 weeks of 100 mg at bedtime. I have never been diagnosed with bipolar disorder or schizophrenia."

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

For Bipolar Disorder "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."

• Koa...
• October 10, 2014

For Bipolar Disorder "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
• November 26, 2010

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "After trying nearly every SSRI on the market, I was placed on Pristiq, which improved my condition somewhat, but still left me dependent on Xanax to alleviate my daily anxiety. After a particularly bad stretch, I was also placed on Seroquel XR. It has helped more than I could have ever hoped for. I finally don't have to reach for Xanax as soon as I wake up. It was very sedating for the first week after I started and after increasing my dosage, but this has lessened with time. I do make sure to take it before bed, as it does make me tired as it kicks in, but I welcome this due to my problems with insomnia."

• zk5...
• February 13, 2009

For Bipolar Disorder "I have been taking Seroquel for three years, and it has changed my life for the good. When I first started taking it, I was tired, but after about a week, I balanced out."

• Ann...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 4, 2022

For Schizoaffective Disorder "In my experience, Seroquel literally saved my life and helped control the symptoms of schizophrenia correctly when the dose was increased to 400 mg. I felt more like myself again and far less paranoid. My downsides include drowsiness, tiredness, and dry mouth, so drink more water than usual."

• Sel...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 1, 2021

For Bipolar Disorder "This medicine literally saved my life. I wish I’d known about it sooner in my adult life. I’ve struggled with PTSD, anxiety, PMDD, mood swings, and bad depression for 8 years. I tried every medication out there, and none of them helped. I’ve been on this for almost a year now, and I recommend it to everyone. I cried my eyes out when it hit me just how much this medication has helped. I feel normal now, and everyone tells me this is what it’s like to be and feel normal, and to be happy, to be content with life. I wish I wish I wish I would have known about this years ago. I could have saved myself a lot of heartache. But hey, everything happens for a reason. The ONLY downside is being tired. I have to make sure I have extra time to sleep. And if I forget to take it, or don’t refill my script, I’m not sleeping that night, lol. TRY IT. DO IT. It will change your life. It changed mine."

• Maz...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 3, 2021

For Bipolar Disorder "Seroquel has helped me through psychosis from bipolar 1. I was paranoid to the point I struggled to leave the house and was convinced there were cameras in my walls and TV. On top of that, I was seeing people in my room and I was literally scared all the time. I started out on 50 mg twice a day, then 100 mg twice a day. At the moment, I am happy at this dose. I can sleep and I still get paranoid thoughts, but I can easily push them aside, whereas before it was constant thoughts flying around my brain. I considered suicide many times before this drug, and literally without it, I don't think I would be here. You have to give this drug time to work and yes, you get side effects: dry mouth, tiredness, and for me, nausea, but that outweighs the alternative."

• Win...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 27, 2019

For Schizophrenia "I started 100 mg of Seroquel after Abilify failed at managing my symptoms. On Abilify, I was waking with constant anxiety and restless leg syndrome. Once I started taking Seroquel, anxiety and restless leg syndrome disappeared and I’m feeling the best I’ve felt in a long time. The first week I was tired, but after that passed, it’s been nothing but a sense of inner peace and calmness. So happy I tried this medicine again. I think the dose of 100 mg is a perfect dose for me."

• Mrm...
• August 29, 2019

For Schizophrenia "This drug has really helped me with the voices and the paranoia. I have been on it for nearly 3 years. I have been on pretty much every antipsychotic there is and have been dealing with this illness for a long, long time. The downside is that you will gain weight. I have lost some of it by reducing calories and taking metformin. Walking seems to help too. If you do take this one, stay as active as you can to avoid diabetes because as my psychiatrist told me 'It will happen eventually'. Also, I adopted a vegetarian diet to help lower other risks with this one. The other downside is that it can make you very tired. I take 400mg at night and 75mg in the morning and another 75mg in the afternoon. I still hear voices and don't want to be around other people but it is much more manageable and I can at least have some kind of life. To be honest, I probably would have killed myself if it were not for this drug. I am surprised I even wrote this as I am a very paranoid person."

• Mik...
• October 15, 2015

For Bipolar Disorder "Seroquel is great. Been taking it for seven years. I take 200 mg at night for bipolar. It does take time to get used to it. It does cause me to get hungry 30 minutes after taking it. Just eat a healthy snack. At first, I did gain a couple of pounds. Searching online did not help. Everyone complains about how much you need to eat. It's self-control. I make sure to exercise every day. And trust me, it's not easy. There are days I have no energy. But I tell myself I have 3 little girls and have to make sure I do not get fat and unhealthy. I have bad mood swings without it. It caused me to make it miserable for my wife, kids, and coworkers. Driving was a mission every day."

• Eli...
• August 15, 2015

For Bipolar Disorder "I sometimes hear negative things about Seroquel. At first, I had bad giddiness and lightheadedness. I wanted to stop, but was recommended to stay on it, and I did. I changed to XR and I haven't looked back. It's been three years, if I hear an offhand remark at the chemist that it's not popular, I tell them I would not change. I tried Zyprexa, but it wasn't good for me, I didn't last even a full foil. Seroquel isn't too bad on the weight, and a better diet and exercise would help. For me, this is a great med, and I don't want to change, it helps with so much, it has many uses. The tiredness you can have wears off, and as time goes by, your body gets used to it. It is tiring, but a small price to pay. I'm sticking with Seroquel. I am a positive vote."